SAF BANG ON TARGET AT AARM 2011

The Singapore Armed Forces (Army) Shooting Contingent (SSC) can lay claim to having the best pistol shooters among the regional military forces after the latest ASEAN Armies Rifles Meet (AARM) concluded on 30 Oct in Cilodong, Indonesia.

Clinching top honours in the individual men's and women's pistol events were Second Warrant Officer (2WO) On Shaw Ming and Staff Sergeant (SSG) Rachel Liaw, respectively.

"AARM has become increasingly more competitive each year: the scores get closer and competitors' proficiency improve by leaps and bounds," said 2WO On. He is no stranger to the annual AARM, having won the same title for three consecutive years since 2004.

Of his win, 2WO On said: "I know there are shooters who can do as well as me but it is mental tenacity which makes the difference."

Both champion shooters had to juggle their time between work commitments and training for the competition.

For SSG Liaw, her commanders' support gave her the space to hone her shooting chops. "Of course, I had to return to my unit when there were operational demands, but they gave me space to concentrate on my shooting," she explained.

Things were similarly hectic for 2WO On, who had to balance his time between work and private studies. "It has been a trying year but my peers and superiors gave me tangible support, such as arranging for flexible work hours, which really helped me along," said 2WO On.

This year, the SAF was represented by a 52-member team from the SSC who participated in all five shooting disciplines: Carbine, General Purpose Machine Gun, Rifle, Pistol (Men) and Pistol (Ladies). Medals are awarded for each of the matches in each different discipline, culminating in an overall championship trophy for the winner of each shooting discipline.

In his message for AARM 2011, Chief of Army Major-General (MG) Ravinder Singh said: "The AARM is a well-established event and an excellent opportunity for our regional Armies to showcase our soldiers' skills at their chosen arms."

Every year, our soldiers compete with determination and confidence at this prestigious event, bearing proof of the perseverance, discipline, enthusiasm and hard work that has been put in to perfect their shooting," added MG Singh.

On top of the two overall trophies, the SSC team also clinched 14 medals - four Gold, three Silver and seven Bronze. The SAF was ranked third for AARM 2011.