A CO'S NOTE TO HIS BATTALION

In late 2015, 823 SIR received their Army Training Evaluation Centre (ATEC) 2 evaluation. Although they did not achieve the top grade, Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) (NS) Darren Tan is proud of their NS spirit and the strong bonds they share.

To the Officers, Specialists and Men of 823rd Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (823 SIR).

Family. That's what we have become.

It has been my tremendous joy and privilege to serve you as your Commanding Officer (CO) in the last seven years, culminating this year in our ATEC 2 evaluation. Though we missed the REDCON (Readiness Condition) 1 grading, I'm very proud to say that we have left a legacy for other battalions to aspire to.

Honestly, I was bitterly disappointed, like many of you. We would not have been disappointed if we did not believe. You believed. The depth of your disappointment demonstrates the depth of your commitment to the cause.

To put this in perspective, the REDCON 1 grading was only awarded in history to three active battalions. To know that we came so close shows the impact you have made in our military history. The REDCON 1 grading, as it stands today, remains perhaps a bridge too far for NS (National Service) Battalions with aging bodies and who come together only once a year for a short two weeks.

823 SIR, we are not at the pinnacle of readiness condition. This I can concede. This is not our day job.

But you have given REDCON 1 a run for its money. You have demonstrated something that even active battalions can only aspire to. You have heart, a REDCON 1 heart.

In my 26 years wearing the uniform, I've not experienced a battalion like 823 SIR. When we first came together seven years ago, we put in place the foundations of what 823 SIR would become.

Our mission statement still stands: one family with unwavering passion to excel in the protection of our home. If we became a family, we would serve because we wanted to, not because we had to. This was the philosophy undergirding my leadership thinking the last seven years.

I have been overwhelmed by the commitment of 823 SIR. We have commanders and men asking for medical upgrades so that they can participate in outfield exercises. We have men with expectant wives or newborns coming in for In-Camp Training (ICT). We have men who were married over the weekend showing up for ICT. We even had someone who had just overcome cancer coming outfield with us. We have men whose employers request deferments but pleaded with me to reject their deferments.

This year's ICT has been the most fulfilling exercise I have ever participated in. Walking around the Company Lines, I encountered ready smiles and greetings. I heard joyful banter and laughter among brothers in arms. I watched you put on your equipment and head out for training. There was no dragging of feet but only cheerful dispositions and determination to do well. Thinking of this right now brings a smile to my face.

With Regimental Sergeant Major 2nd Warrant Officer (Vol) Arnold Leong, commanders and men of 823 SIR who volunteered to form the marching contingent at the 2nd People's Defence Force Command Golden Jubilee Parade in 2015.

You were ready for anything thrown at you. Much of the exercise play and ground conditions presented dilemmas but you met each challenge with a great attitude and dogged determination. An example of note was when the whole battalion helped fill sandbags for Delta Company when she was called away on a Fragmentary-O mission (a sudden change to an operational order).

The final battle demonstrated your resilience - that nearing the end of four exhausting days, you were up to the task and defeated the enemy thrown into your sectors. The performance can only be described as a symphony, with each cell working in tandem to provide updates and execute orders.

Alas, despite all your heart and commitment, REDCON 1 remained elusive. Because we aimed for the stars, 823 SIR you have reached the moon. This has been our destiny and this will be our legacy. I doubt that I will ever command a finer battalion. You will forever remain in my heart as the best of the best.

You have distinguished yourselves and you can hold your head up high. The story of 823 SIR will be told to your families and generations of soldiers entering NS in the days to come. I wish each of you the very best in your families, careers and health.

God bless always.

- Darren Tan, CO 823 SIR

[This is an abridged version of the Facebook post by LTC (NS) Darren Tan]