The Singapore Armed Forces Best Unit Competition is an annual competition which confers awards of recognition to the most outstanding units of the

Singapore Armed Forces The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) are the military services of the Republic of Singapore, responsible for protecting and defending the security interests and the sovereignty of the country. A military component of the Ministry of Defence (MINDE ...

(SAF) in combat readiness, operational proficiency and administrative excellence. Besides encouraging the above, the award also seeks to promote esprit-de-corps and camaraderie among participating

Army An army (from Old French ''armee'', itself derived from the Latin verb ''armāre'', meaning "to arm", and related to the Latin noun ''arma'', meaning "arms" or "weapons"), ground force or land force is a fighting force that fights primarily on ...

Air Force An air force – in the broadest sense – is the national military branch that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an a ...

and

Navy A navy, naval force, or maritime force is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval warfare, naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake-borne, riverine, littoral zone, littoral, or ocean-borne combat operations and ...

units through friendly competition. The assessment factors of the competition are: * Combat Proficiency Test * Marksmanship Test * Individual Physical Proficiency Test * Standard Obstacle Course * Unarmed Combat * Security * Manpower Matters * Logistics Readiness Inspection * Vehicle State * Training Safety The competition was started for active SAF units in 1969, before being extended to the reservist units (now known as NS units) in 1993. These units are conferred their awards at the annual Singapore Armed Forces Day parade. The types of units that participate include: *Singapore Infantry Regiment (SIR) *Singapore Combat Engineers (SCE) * Ordnance Supply Base (OSB), the Kranji base

Past active unit winners

Active Army units

The 1st Commando Battalion has won the Best Combat Unit for an unprecedented 35 times since the award was launched in 1969, and for 18 consecutive years since 2004.

Retired award

Active Navy units

Two new awards in maritime security and in naval engineering and logistics were introduced in 2015. RSS Intrepid

Active Air Force units

The Best Helicopter Squadron award was introduced in 2010 to recognise the contributions of the RSAF helicopter squadrons. In 2014, two new awards in Control and Air Engineering were introduced. A new award in air logistics was introduced in 2015. 140 SQN currently holds the record for clinching the Best fighter Squadron 12 times.

Past National Service unit winners

Army NS units

Retired award

Naval NS units

A new Best Naval NS Unit award was introduced from 2015.

Controversies

In 2003, the 1st Commando Battalion was barred from the competition after it was found guilty of doctoring score-keeping records and fitness test results. In 2009, three regulars from the 24th Battalion Singapore Artillery were convicted of falsifying their unit's test scores. Soldiers' results for the standard obstacle were doctored. As a result, the unit was disqualified that year and the trio were convicted and fined by the General Court Martial.

References

External links

Press releases

Factsheet - List of Best NS Unit Competition Winners 2000

(for 2010)

(for 2011)

* ttp://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/press_room/official_releases/nr/2013/jun/29jun13_nr/29jun13_fs.html#.VYzB4fmqpHw Fact Sheet: Full List of Winners(for 2013)
Winners of Best Unit Competition 2014

Fact Sheet: Winners of Best Unit Competition 2017Fact Sheet: Winners of Best Unit Competition 2018Fact Sheet: Winners of Best Unit Competition 2019Fact Sheet: Winners of Best Unit Competition 2020

Video clips

*, accessed 4 December 2008. {{Military of Asia Military of Singapore SAF best units