OPS & TRAINING

Behind the scenes with the Istana Ceremonial Guards

10 Jan 2023

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

Behind the scenes with the Istana Ceremonial Guards

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:

With the Old Guards in position, the COG ceremony begins with the arrival of the New Guards into the square.

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:

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