DRILL COMPETITION PROMOTES COHESION, INSTILS DISCIPLINE

Soldiers of the 1st Commando Battalion (1 Cdo Bn) took part in an inter-company drill competition on 1 Nov.

The competition was organised with the aim of instilling discipline and promoting cohesion within the unit.

"Traditionally, drills represent the discipline level of units," said the Regimental Sergeant Major of 1 Cdo Bn First Warrant Officer (1WO) Low Soon Pan. "It was in this spirit that we decided to organise this competition."

Teams representing each company in the battalion were trained by their individual company sergeant majors (CSMs) before the competition.

Said Second Warrant Officer Low Yong Kuan, CSM of 3rd Company: "My job was to ensure that training was intensive and demanding. However, I had to constantly remind my men that it was the process, not the outcome, that mattered ultimately."

3rd Company eventually won the competition, which was judged by the experienced sergeant majors of the Commando Formation.

"I was impressed by the level of skill and precision the soldiers displayed during the competition," said 1WO Sundram, one of the judges. "It is a mark of the camaraderie that bonds Commandos."

The men of the 3rd Company had only recently received their coveted Red Berets after more than 10 months of intensive Commando training.

An exuberant Captain Roy Chau, Officer Commanding of 3rd Company, said: "I think this warrants a double celebration, and I hope this is a sign of greater things to come for the company!"

"Before battle, drills help galvanise soldiers' resolve to go to battle. During battle, well-drilled soldiers will respond instantaneously to a command, which is crucial in any mission, particularly firefights. During post-battle, drill helps the commander to swiftly restore order and discipline."

-Lieutenant-General (Retired) Winston Choo then-Chief of Defence Force