OPS & TRAINING
COMMANDOS' "BLACKJACK" VICTORY
27 Jun 2007
Mention the word "Commando" and the first few things that come to your mind should most probably include red beret, elite fighting force and fantastic fitness.
Add one more to your list from now - king of awards.
For this year's Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)'s Best Unit Competition, the 1st Commando Battalion (1 CDO Bn) has clinched the Best Combat Unit award for the fourth year in a row.
The elite battalion, which consists mainly of full-time National Servicemen (NSFs), has won this award for an unprecedented 21 times since the competition started in 1969.
Although they are no strangers to being awarded the Best Combat Unit, there was no hiding the elation of winning it yet again.
Upon entering Hendon Camp, one cannot miss the banner which has pictures of an ace and a jack - to signify a blackjack (21 points) - and the message, "21 and counting..." to remind themselves that they have to work harder next year.
Delighted with the award, 1 CDO Bn's Commanding Officer Major (MAJ) Poh Boon Hock said: "We've worked together as a team and we've worked very hard to achieve this.
"It has been a positive experience for both the men and the officers!"
The Commandos are famed for their strong cohesion, camaraderie and dedication to the formation and their red beret.
So it was really no surprise when 89 members of the battalion volunteered to extend their Operational Ready Date (ORD) in order to go for the evaluation test held some time in April this year.
"They volunteered to extend their service by two weeks so that they would be around for the evaluation," said MAJ Poh. "This is a testimonial of their commitment to the unit and also shows their pride in donning the red beret."
Second Sergeant (2SG) Martin Sim agreed, adding that the Commandos' esprit de corps and fighting spirit were probably the main reasons for their win this year. He vividly remembered an incident which touched him.
"There was this mission where I fought with a team of my own. We suffered very heavy simulated casualties and were only left with five people," he said.
"But we persevered. We could see the strong fighting spirit that we had and the perseverance to finish the mission."
The 21-year-old added: "I guess it's the strong brotherhood that was built up since our Basic Military Training."
The annual Best Unit Competition recognises units that have distinguished themselves in the areas of combat readiness, operational proficiency and administrative excellence.
It also seeks to encourage the combat readiness of SAF units and its formations while promoting esprit de corps and camaraderie among its soldiers.
The Republic of Singapore Navy's RSS VENGEANCE won the Best Ship while the Best Fighter Squadron went to Republic of Singapore Air Force's 140 Squadron. Ten National Service units have also been recognised for outstanding performance during the last work year.
The awards will be presented on 1 Jul during the SAF Day Parade held at SAFTI Military Institute.
Add one more to your list from now - king of awards.
For this year's Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)'s Best Unit Competition, the 1st Commando Battalion (1 CDO Bn) has clinched the Best Combat Unit award for the fourth year in a row.
The elite battalion, which consists mainly of full-time National Servicemen (NSFs), has won this award for an unprecedented 21 times since the competition started in 1969.
Although they are no strangers to being awarded the Best Combat Unit, there was no hiding the elation of winning it yet again.
Upon entering Hendon Camp, one cannot miss the banner which has pictures of an ace and a jack - to signify a blackjack (21 points) - and the message, "21 and counting..." to remind themselves that they have to work harder next year.
Delighted with the award, 1 CDO Bn's Commanding Officer Major (MAJ) Poh Boon Hock said: "We've worked together as a team and we've worked very hard to achieve this.
"It has been a positive experience for both the men and the officers!"
The Commandos are famed for their strong cohesion, camaraderie and dedication to the formation and their red beret.
So it was really no surprise when 89 members of the battalion volunteered to extend their Operational Ready Date (ORD) in order to go for the evaluation test held some time in April this year.
"They volunteered to extend their service by two weeks so that they would be around for the evaluation," said MAJ Poh. "This is a testimonial of their commitment to the unit and also shows their pride in donning the red beret."
Second Sergeant (2SG) Martin Sim agreed, adding that the Commandos' esprit de corps and fighting spirit were probably the main reasons for their win this year. He vividly remembered an incident which touched him.
"There was this mission where I fought with a team of my own. We suffered very heavy simulated casualties and were only left with five people," he said.
"But we persevered. We could see the strong fighting spirit that we had and the perseverance to finish the mission."
The 21-year-old added: "I guess it's the strong brotherhood that was built up since our Basic Military Training."
The annual Best Unit Competition recognises units that have distinguished themselves in the areas of combat readiness, operational proficiency and administrative excellence.
It also seeks to encourage the combat readiness of SAF units and its formations while promoting esprit de corps and camaraderie among its soldiers.
The Republic of Singapore Navy's RSS VENGEANCE won the Best Ship while the Best Fighter Squadron went to Republic of Singapore Air Force's 140 Squadron. Ten National Service units have also been recognised for outstanding performance during the last work year.
The awards will be presented on 1 Jul during the SAF Day Parade held at SAFTI Military Institute.
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