The Singapore Armed Forces has a unified rank structure, with the identical rank names and insignia for Officer, Warrant Officers, Specialists, and enlisted men throughout the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The Singapore Armed Forces (abbreviation: SAF, Malay: Angkatan Tentera Singapura, Simplified Chinese: 新加坡武装部队) comprises of three branches: the Singapore Army, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). ... An officer is a member of a military or naval service who holds a position of responsibility. ... Two Bermuda Regiment Warrant Officers. ... In the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Specialists are the group of ranks equivalent to non-commissioned officers in other armed forces. ... Singapore Armed Forces Crest The Singapore Army (Chinese: 新加坡陆军部队, Malay: Tentera Singapura) is the land forces and one of the three services of the Singapore Armed Forces. ... The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN, Malay: Angkatan Laut Republik Singapura, Simplified Chinese: 新加坡海军部队) is the navy of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). ... The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF, Chinese: 新加坡空军部队; Malay Angkatan Udara Republik Singapura) was established in 1968. ...

The only exceptions to the unified rank structure firstly, the flag officer ranks, where the Navy retains the Admiral ranks. Other traditional Navy ranks such as Ensign and Commander have been replaced with Army-style ranks. The second instance is for the rank insignia for Private and Private First Class between the Air Force, and the Army and Navy. Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. ... Ensign of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... Commander is a military rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. ... A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank (equivalent to Nato Rank Grades OR-1 to OR-3 depending on the force served in). ... US Military In the U.S. Army, Private First Class is the third lowest enlisted rank, just above Private and below Corporal or Specialist. ...

Influences

Despite Singapore's Commonwealth heritage, the American influence currently dominates. The Army Brigadier General is a flag rank, compared with the British Brigadier. Also, the Air Force does not use Navy-style ranks apart from the flag officers. The Commonwealth of Nations as of 2006 Headquarters Marlborough House, London Leaders  -  Queen Elizabeth II  -  Secretary-General Don McKinnon (since 1999)  -  Ransford Smith Establishment  -  as British Commonwealth 1926   -  as the Commonwealth 1949  Membership 53 sovereign states Website thecommonwealth. ... Brigadier(BRIG-uh-DEER) is a military rank, the meaning of which has a considerable variation. ...

The British-style combination of pips, coats-of-arms, and laurel wreaths is no longer in use in the SAF. Instead, an easy to remember progression of bars for junior officers, to coats-of-arms, affectionately known as "crabs" for senior officers, to the American-style stars for flag officers. The one, two, three-bar, national insignia, star style of rank insignia is actually quite common in the world. This style is used by the Republic of China and South Korea for example. Incidentally, the American influence is especially obvious in the Rear Admiral (one star) and (two star) ranks. Motto Three Principles of the People (三民主義 San-min Chu-i) Anthem National Anthem of the Republic of China Capital Taipei (de facto)  Nanking (de jure)1  Largest city Taipei Official languages Mandarin (GuóyÇ”) Government Semi-presidential system  -  President Chen Shui-bian  -  Vice President Annette Lu  -  Premier Chang Chun-hsiung...

The SAF rank structure, incidentally, is very similar to that of the of the Singapore Civil Defence Force. The Singapore Police Force rank structure, on the other hand, is still largely based on the British model. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (abbreviation: SCDF; Chinese: 新加坡民防部队; Malay: Pasukan Pertahanan Awam Singapura) is the main agency in charge of the provision of emergency services in Singapore during peacetime and emergency. ... The Jurong Police Division Headquarters at Jurong West Avenue 5. ...

Officer Corps

Potential officers in the SAF are selected at Basic Military Training Centre and School of Infantry Specialists. They are sent to Officer Cadet School to train, and are commissioned on graduation. Specialists may attend Officer Cadet School on recommendation as well. Even officers sent to train at friendly service academies complete the majority of the Officer Cadet Course and are commissioned prior. As a result, SAFTI Military Institute is considered the spiritual home of the Officer Corps. The Basic Military Training Centre (abbreviation: BMTC; Chinese: 基本军事训练中心) is a military training facility located on Pulau Tekong in Singapore. ... The School of Infantry Specialists (abbreviation: SISPEC; Chinese: 步兵专业军士学校) is a military training centre for specialists in the Singapore Army. ... Officer Cadet School (OCS) is one of the several training establishments within the SAFTI Military Institute camp complex. ... A military academy is a military educational institution. ...

Graduating from junior colleges or polytechnics is a prerequisite to be selected for OCS. Career officers with A level qualifications are expected to obtain further studies in university; many scholarships are given for university education at local or overseas universities.

The role of officers in the SAF mirrors that of most Western militaries. Officers are generalists who exercise leadership and command. They are assisted by the Specialists who provide technical expertise, train and discipline the enlistees, and serve as the institutional memory of the SAF.

Officer's Creed

The Officer's Creed states the roles and expectations of officers in the Singapore Armed Forces.

Farmers vs. Scholars

As with many militaries, there exists numerous rivalries such as officer/non-officer, combat/logistics divides, Army/Navy/Air Force. Fortunately, because the members of the SAF are thoroughly integrated into society at large (compared with the US military for example), there are no major military/civilian issues.

Apart from such minor divisions, a more important dichotomy is observed between officers who are polytechnic or local university graduates (Farmers), and former scholarship holders who studied overseas (Scholars). This phenomenon exists because of fast-tracked careers, quick promotions, a dual-track career in the Civil Service after mandatory retirement offered as enticement for young men to take up SAF scholarships.^[1] While this state of affairs has existed since the Singapore government started giving out scholarships, the issue was mentioned in Parliament for the first time in a speech decrying the class-consciousness and social stratification resulting from the existing policies.^[2] The unicameral Parliament of Singapore is the legislature of Singapore with the President as its head. ...

Specialists

Potential Specialists are selected at Basic Military Training Centre and are trained at School of Infantry Specialists (SISPEC). Infantry and Guards Specialists earn their chevrons at SISPEC; for the others, they undergo special-to-arms training at their respective formations, after initial training at SISPEC, to receive their chevrons. The Basic Military Training Centre (abbreviation: BMTC; Chinese: 基本军事训练中心) is a military training facility located on Pulau Tekong in Singapore. ... The School of Infantry Specialists (abbreviation: SISPEC; Chinese: 步兵专业军士学校) is a military training centre for specialists in the Singapore Army. ...

The requirements for selection are similar to that of officers - graduation from junior college or polytechnic. The majority of soldiers who are selected to train to be Specialists by this route remain National Servicemen and usually do not decide to sign-on as regulars. This is most likely due to the better career prospects available outside the military to people with such educational qualifications. The primary source of regular Specialists is from ITE and polytechnics, through various schemes which provide study grants.^{[3] [4] [5]} This scheme replaces the now-defunct SAF Education Centre whose role was to give boys aged 14-17 who were not academically inclined a career in the military.^[6] National Service (NS) is the name given to the compulsory conscription in Singapore of all male Singaporean citizens and second-generation permanent residents upon reaching the age of 18. ... Establish on 1 April 1992, ITE is a statutory board under the Ministry of Education in Singapore. ...

Role

The Specialist Corps forms the backbone of the Singapore Army's operations as Specialists are often referred to as "SMEs" or "Subject Matter Experts". They are specifically trained in a variety of weaponries and/or equipment as well as perform other duties such as Administration and/or handle discipline issues (hence the term "Specialist") The Specialist, though the lowest in rank in the command hierarchy, is essential in the running and efficient execution of military exercises or training by being the link between the Officer Corps and the Enlistee by providing a dual link of feedback from the top superiros to the lower enlistees. They are welfare managers as well as authoritative figures that execute the commands of their superiors in lieu of them.

Further training

SISPEC also regularly conducts advanced courses like the Platoon Sergeant's Course and Company Sergeant Major Course, in which regular, NSmen and full-time National Service Men who have exhibited and showcased outstanding military performance on/off the field, are selected to train to take up more responsibilities. Hence, it is not surprising to find a NSF Company Sergeant Major in the Singapore Army. More imporantly, it is a way to ensure continual NCO Leadership in reserve NS Battalions by providing for, capable and well-trained Specialists to take up the roles which are often given only to Regular Servicemen in active Battalions.

The Specialist's Creed

The Specialist creed details the roles and responsibility of the Specialist as a commander and as a leader of men under his charge.

Warrant Officers

Regular Specialists who have completed their career advancment tours (usually after 10 years) will be offered a chance to progress further in their careers as a Warrant Officer. NSmen who have also exhibited excellent track records as well as excellent military performance can also be considered for conversion to be a Warrant Officer.

Specialist train to be a Warrant Officer at SAFWOS (Singapore Armed Forces Warrant Officer School) and attend the Junior Warrant Officer Course to be promoted to the rank of Second Warrant Officer. Second Warrant Officer (2WO) is a Warrant Officer rank in the Singapore Armed Forces. ...

Warrant Officers serve as mentors as well as Disciplinarians in many training institutes as well as active battalion units. They are usually referred to as "Encik" ,which means Uncle or Sir in malay, in deference to their seniority as well as experience and knowledge. Otherwise, they are referred to by juniors as "Sir".

The Warrant Officer's creed details the roles and responsibility of the Specialist as a commander and as a leader of men under his charge.

The Warrant Officers' Creed

I am a Warrant Officer of the Singapore Armed Forces.
I embody the SAF core values.
I will discharge my roles and responsibilities with passion, dedication and commitment.
I will be sterling in my performance, working in partnership with the Officer Corps in achieving mission success.
I am a dynamic leader ready for challenges.
I will defend Singapore with my life.

Insignia

The Singapore Armed Forces rank system uses the same rank name for all three services until the rank of colonel. Currently, the official table of ranks stops at three stars for all three services. The Singapore Armed Forces (abbreviation: SAF, Malay: Angkatan Tentera Singapura, Simplified Chinese: 新加坡武装部队) comprises of three branches: the Singapore Army, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). ...

The rank insignia for officers and warrant officers are worn on the shoulder boards with the appropriate background (green for Army, black for Navy, blue for Air Force, camouflage, etc.).

To assist in the comparison of ranks in the armed forces of different countries, established NATO rank codes are used. NATO 2002 Summit in Prague. ...

Officers

Black Navy shoulderboards used here are representative:

Second Lieutenant is the lowest commissioned rank in many armed forces. ... Lieutenant is a military, naval, paramilitary, fire service or police officer rank. ... Please see Captain for other uses of the term Captain is a military rank used in nearly every army and navy of the world. ... Major is a military rank the use of which varies according to country. ... In the U.S. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a commissioned officer superior to a major and inferior to a colonel. ... Colonel (IPA: or ) is a military rank of a commissioned officer, with the corresponding ranks existing in nearly every country in the world. ... A Brigadier General, or one-star general, is the lowest rank of general officer in the United States and some other countries, ranking just above Colonel and just below Major General. ... The term Rear Admiral originated from the days of Naval Sailing Squadrons, and can trace its origins to the British Royal Navy. ... Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ... The term Rear Admiral originated from the days of Naval Sailing Squadrons, and can trace its origins to the British Royal Navy. ... Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Vice Admiral is a naval rank of three star level, equivalent to Lieutenant General in seniority. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links RSN_VADM.gif‎ RSN officer rank insignia - Vice Admiral © MINDEF File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...

Warrant officers

Blue Air Force shoulderboards used here are representative:

The Singapore Armed Forces (abbreviation: SAF, Malay: Angkatan Tentera Singapura, Simplified Chinese: 新加坡武装部队) comprises of three branches: the Singapore Army, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). ... Two Bermuda Regiment Warrant Officers. ... Second Warrant Officer (2WO) is a Warrant Officer rank in the Singapore Armed Forces. ... First Warrant Officer (1WO) is a Warrant Officer rank in the Singapore Armed Forces. ... Master Warrant Officer or MWO is an Army and Air Force non-commissioned member rank of the Canadian Forces. ... Senior Warrant Officer (SWO) is a Warrant Officer rank in the Singapore Armed Forces. ... Image File history File links Air_Force_2WO.gif‎ Singapore Armed Forces Second Warrant Officer rank insignia From http://www. ... Image File history File links Air_Force_1WO.gif‎ Singapore Armed Forces First Warrant Officer rank insignia From http://www. ... Image File history File links Air_Force_MWO.gif‎ Singapore Armed Forces Master Warrant Officer rank insignia From http://www. ... Image File history File links Air_Force_SWO.gif‎ Singapore Armed Forces Senior Warrant Officer rank insignia From http://www. ...

Specialists

Specialists wear their rank insignia on right and left sleeves. The top of their rank insignia should be 10 cm below the top of the sleeve, aligned to the crease. The green Army background used here is representative: In the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Specialists are the group of ranks equivalent to non-commissioned officers in other armed forces. ...

The Singapore Armed Forces (abbreviation: SAF, Malay: Angkatan Tentera Singapura, Simplified Chinese: 新加坡武装部队) comprises of three branches: the Singapore Army, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). ... In the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Specialists are the group of ranks equivalent to non-commissioned officers in other armed forces. ... Third Sergeant is a Specialist rank in the Singapore Armed Forces. ... Second Sergeant rank insignia Second sergeant is a Specialist rank in the Singapore Armed Forces. ... First Sergeant is the name of a military rank used in some countries. ... United States Military Staff Sergeant insignia (U.S. Air Force) Staff Sergeant is the fifth enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force, just above Senior Airman and below Technical Sergeant. ... United States Master Sergeant insignia U.S. Marine Corps Master Sergeant insignia U.S. Army Master Sergeant insignia U.S. Air Force A Master Sergeant is: the eighth enlisted rank in the United States Marine Corps, just above Gunnery Sergeant, below Master Gunnery Sergeant, Sergeant Major, and Sergeant Major of... Image File history File links Army_3SG.jpg‎ Singapore Armed Forces Third Sergeant rank insignia Obtained from http://www. ... Image File history File links Army_2SG.jpg‎ Singapore Armed Forces Second Sergeant rank insignia Obtained from http://www. ... Image File history File links Army_1SG.jpg‎ Singapore Armed Forces First Sergeant rank insignia Obtained from http://www. ... Image File history File links Army_SSG.jpg‎ Singapore Armed Forces Staff Sergeant rank insignia Obtained from http://www. ... Image File history File links Army_MSG.jpg‎ Singapore Armed Forces Master Sergeant rank insignia Obtained from http://www. ...

Enlistees

The situation for enlistees is a bit more complicated. Recruits of all services do not wear any rank insignia. Only Army Infantry Privates who are awarded the Private First Class rank wear the single stripe. Normal Privates would not have any rank insignia like recruits. Rank insignia are worn on both sleeves, 10 cm below the top of each sleeve, aligned to the crease just as the case for Specialists.

The rank of Corporal First Class is currently being implemented. It will be awarded to deserving Corporals who are unable to be promoted to the rank of Third Sergeant due to establishment requirements.

The Singapore Armed Forces (abbreviation: SAF, Malay: Angkatan Tentera Singapura, Simplified Chinese: 新加坡武装部队) comprises of three branches: the Singapore Army, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). ... Recruit (from the French recrue, from the verb recroître to grow again, i. ... A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank (equivalent to Nato Rank Grades OR-1 to OR-3 depending on the force served in). ... US Military In the U.S. Army, Private First Class is the third lowest enlisted rank, just above Private and below Corporal or Specialist. ... A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank (equivalent to Nato Rank Grades OR-1 to OR-3 depending on the force served in). ... Lance Corporal (LCpl or L/Cpl) is a military rank used by some elements of the British, Commonwealth, and U.S. armed forces. ... Corporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries, police forces or other uniformed organizations around the world. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...

See also

• Naval officer ranks
• Comparative military ranks

Navies have military rank systems that often are quite different from those of armies or air forces. ... Comparative military ranks are a means of comparing military rank systems of different nations as a means of categorizing the hierarchy of an armed force compared to another. ...

References

• SAF Military Ranks. MINDEF website. Retrieved on March 26, 2005.

1. ^ MINDEF, Scholarships, 19 Apr 2006, accessed 19 Nov 2006.
2. ^ Chang, C., "Why have we become OBSESSED WITH PERFORMANCE?", The New Paper, 10 Sep 2006.
3. ^ MINDEF, Army Recruitment Centre, accessed 19 Nov 2006.
4. ^ MINDEF, Republic of Singapore Navy Scholarships and Awards, 30 Oct 2006, accessed 19 Nov 2006.
5. ^ MINDEF, Sponsorships for Specialists, accessed 19 Nov 2006.
6. ^ MINDEF, Fond Memories of the SAF Boys School, accessed 19 Nov 2006.

March 26 is the 85th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (86th in leap years). ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... MINDEF is an abreviation of Singapores Ministry of Defence Singapore Ministry of Defence link title ... The New Paper is Singapores second highest circulating paid English-language newspaper, first launched on July 26, 1988 by Singapore Press Holdings (SPH). ... MINDEF is an abreviation of Singapores Ministry of Defence Singapore Ministry of Defence link title ... MINDEF is an abreviation of Singapores Ministry of Defence Singapore Ministry of Defence link title ... MINDEF is an abreviation of Singapores Ministry of Defence Singapore Ministry of Defence link title ... MINDEF is an abreviation of Singapores Ministry of Defence Singapore Ministry of Defence link title ...

External links

• Ranks and Paramilitary Ranks of Singapore, accessed 23 Oct 2006.