HOVER OVER MARKERS TO JUMP SECTION

Finding their bearings amid choppy seas

10 Jan 2023 | OPS & TRAINING

BEHIND THE SCENES WITH THE ISTANA CEREMONIAL GUARDS

It's hard work and discipline as the SAF Military Police trains for the first Changing of Guards ceremony of the year.

PRODUCER / THRINA THAM

PHOTOGRAPHER / CHAI SIAN LIANG

CAMERAMAN / VINCE SIA

Known for its pomp and pageantry, the Changing of Guards (COG) ceremony at the Istana takes place on the first Sunday evening of every month (save for July and August).

It's a treat for audiences as the Istana Ceremonial Guards march down Orchard Road to the drumming beat of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Band, accompanied by the Silent Precision Drill Squad.

The first ceremony took place in 1969 and remains as a formal tradition to signify outgoing sentry guards being relieved by a new batch.

The guards come from the Law Enforcement Ceremonial Company in the SAF Military Police Command's Military Police Enforcement Unit. On top of other duties, they train four hours a day for about three days in the lead-up to the COG ceremony.

Here's a look at their training at Mowbray Camp:

The New Guards (left) pay compliment to the outgoing guards and the Old and New Guard Commanders exchange compliments.

The New Guard Commander calls out the Relief In-Charge (IC) and three Relief Guards to the centre of the contingents. There, the Relief IC inspects each Relief Guard for their bearing and turn out to signify that they are ready to take on their duty.

Once the Relief IC is satisfied with the bearing of the Relief Guards, he marches them off to the sentry post where he reads them their sentry orders.

Concurrently, the two Guard Commanders march up and down their contingent, depicting a final inspection of the guards before the end of the ceremony.

What do Military Police 3SG Speed Lim and LCP Muhammad Ryan feel about their training? Find out here:

Cover story

Self-serve IKEA style & hawker meal options at SAF Cookhouses

OPS & TRAINING

10 Jan 2023

Laksa, fried fish noodle soup and nasi lemak – these hawker dishes are the latest array of food served in SAF cookhouses.

Feature

FROM NURSE TO ARMY OFFICER

OPS & TRAINING

10 Jan 2023

She used to serve on the Inspired by her four older brothers, 2LT Zakiah Huda Binte Sapari answered her calling to serve on a bigger scale and joined the SAF.

Feature

S’pore, China conclude bilateral naval exercise

OPS & TRAINING

10 Jan 2023

She used to serve on the The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) conducted the third edition of Exercise Maritime Cooperation from 1 to 5 Sep with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy.

Cover story

Tekong - the OG cookhouse

OPS & TRAINING

10 Jan 2023

How does the cookhouse food at Pulau Tekong compare to other camps? We find out.

Feature

From coast to coast

OPS & TRAINING

10 Jan 2023

She used to serve on the RSS Stalwart has sailed more than 20,500km by now, and taken part in multiple exercises

We’ve all met interesting commanders in Basic Military Training (BMT) whom we will remember forever. Find any of these familiar?

Feature

Mr Lawrence Wong's first visit to BMTC as Prime Minister

OPS & TRAINING

10 Jan 2023

She used to serve on the He joined two companies of recruits in a run, and took part in a strength conditioning exercise and a SAR 21 technical handling training session.

Overcoming challenges to graduate as SAF specialists

OPS & TRAINING

10 Jan 2023

3SG Shi Huan Kai and ME1 Tivya d/o Tamil Selvan faced different challenges when they enlisted, but both were determined to do their best and have now graduated as newly minted specialist leaders.

Feature

Retired military dogs find furever home

OPS & TRAINING

10 Jan 2023

She used to serve on the After spending most of their lives in service, these canine soldiers find a home to “ORD” in.

What are the items that the Republic of Singapore Navy’s Accompanying Sea Security Team (ASSeT) operators have on them when they carry out boarding and search operations on commercial vessels out at sea?

Complementary Content