Singapore Armed Forces Best Unit Competition
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 (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, Air Force and Navy units through friendly competition.[1]
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)
- (OSB), the Kranji base[2]
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.[3]
Year | Best Army Units | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Combat | Combat Support | Infantry/Guards | Armour | Artillery | Engineers | Signals/C4I | Combat Service Support[4] | |
1969 | 1 SIR | Not contested | Not contested | Not contested | Not contested | Not contested | Not contested | Not contested |
1970 | ||||||||
1971 | 3 SIR | |||||||
1972 | 4 SIR | GEB | ||||||
1973 | 2 SIR | |||||||
1974 | 1 CDO BN | |||||||
1975 | ||||||||
1976 | ||||||||
1977 | 36 SCE | 36 SCE | ||||||
1978 | 41 SAR | 1 SIG BN | ||||||
1979 | 42 SAR | SAFPU | 42 SAR | 2 SIG BN | ||||
1980 | 7 SIR | 1 SIG BN | ||||||
1981 | 3 GDS | 2 SIG BN | ||||||
1982 | 42 SAR | SAFPU | 42 SAR | GSMB | ||||
1983 | 3 GDS | OSB | ||||||
1984 | 41 SAR | 1 SIG BN | ||||||
1985 | 1 CDO BN | 1 CDO BN | ||||||
1986 | 36 SCE | 1 TPT BN | ||||||
1987 | 1 CDO BN | SAFPU | - | OSB | ||||
1988 | ||||||||
1989 | 36 SCE | |||||||
1990 | 6 DSMB | |||||||
1991 | GSMB | |||||||
1992 | 1 CDO BN | 42 SAR | 36 SCE | |||||
1993 | 42 SAR | |||||||
1994 | 3 SIG BN | 1 TPT BN | ||||||
1995 | 42 SAR | 1 SIG BN | ||||||
1996 | 36 SCE | 42 SAR | ||||||
1997 | 36 SCE | 2 SIG BN | 9 DSMB | |||||
1998 | 36 SCE | 1 SIG BN | ||||||
1999 | 1 CDO BN | 2 SIG BN | 1 TPT BN | |||||
2000 | 3 DSMB | |||||||
2001 | 9 DSMB | |||||||
2002 | 3 TPT BN | |||||||
2003 | 3 SIG BN | GSMB | ||||||
2004 | 1 CDO BN | 3 TPT BN | ||||||
2005 | ||||||||
2006 | GSMB | |||||||
2007 | 1 AMB | |||||||
2008 | 24 SA | 3 GDS | 40 SAR | 24 SA | 30 SCE | 2 SIG BN | 3 TPT BN | |
2009 | 39 SCE | 3 SIR | 42 SAR | 23 SA | 39 SCE | 3 SIG BN | ||
2010 | 3 GDS | 42 SAR | 21 SA | 1 SIG BN | ||||
2011 | 24 SA | 3 SIR | 48 SAR | 24 SA | ||||
2012 | 11 C4I | 48 SAR | 35 SCE | 11 C4I | 6 AMB | |||
2013 | 1 SIG BN | 4 SIR | 40 SAR | 1 SIG BN | ||||
2014 | 40 SAR | 38 SCE | ||||||
2015 | 38 SCE | 1 GDS | 48 SAR | |||||
2016 | 3 GDS | 40 SAR | GSAB | |||||
2017 | 1 GDS | 48 SAR | 6 AMB | |||||
2018 | 3 GDS | 48 SAR | 11 C4I | |||||
2019 | 3 SIR | 41 SAR | 17 C4I | |||||
2020 | 1 GDS | 40 SAR | 11 C4I | |||||
2021 | 35 SCE | 3 SIR | 41 SAR | 35 SCE | 16 C4I | |||
Year | Combat | Combat Support | Infantry/Guards | Armour | Artillery | Engineers | Signals/C4I | Combat Service Support[4] |
Retired award[]
Year | Best Army Units |
---|---|
Minor (1974-1976) | |
1974 | OMB |
1975 | SAFPU |
1976 | 36 SCE |
[]
Two new awards in maritime security and in naval engineering and logistics were introduced in 2015.
Year | Best Navy Units | ||
---|---|---|---|
Fleet[5] | Maritime Security | Naval Engineering & Logistics | |
1981 | (Fast patrol craft) | Not contested | Not contested |
1982 | RSS Sea Scorpion (Sea Wolf-class gunboat) | ||
1983 | (Fast patrol craft) | ||
1984 | (Fast patrol craft) | ||
1985 | (County-class LST) | ||
1986 | RSS Swift Archer (Coastal patrol craft) | ||
1987 | RSS Sea Scorpion (Sea Wolf-class gunboat) | ||
1988 | RSS Sea Hawk (Sea Wolf-class gunboat) | ||
1989 | RSS Sea Wolf (Sea Wolf-class gunboat) | ||
1990 | RSS Sea Dragon (Sea Wolf-class gunboat) | ||
1991 | RSS Sea Scorpion (Sea Wolf-class gunboat) | ||
1992 | RSS Vigilance (Victory-class corvette) | ||
1993 | RSS Valiant (Victory-class corvette) | ||
1994 | RSS Sea Hawk (Sea Wolf-class gunboat) | ||
1995 | RSS Victory (Victory-class corvette) | ||
1996 | |||
1997 | RSS Sea Dragon (Sea Wolf-class gunboat) | ||
1998 | RSS Sea Lion (Sea Wolf-class gunboat) | ||
1999 | RSS Victory (Victory-class corvette) | ||
2000 | |||
2001 | RSS Vigour (Victory-class corvette) | ||
2002 | |||
2003 | RSS Vigilance (Victory-class corvette) | ||
2004 | RSS Vengeance (Victory-class corvette) | ||
2005 | RSS Resolution (Endurance-class Landing Ship Tank) | ||
2006 | RSS Vengeance (Victory-class corvette) | ||
2007 | |||
2008 | RSS Formidable (Formidable-class frigate) | ||
2009 | RSS Victory (Victory-class corvette) | ||
2010 | RSS Stalwart (Formidable-class frigate) | ||
2011 | RSS Chieftain (Challenger-class submarine) | ||
2012 | RSS Valiant (Victory-class corvette) | ||
2013 | RSS Intrepid (Formidable-class frigate) | ||
2014 | RSS Formidable (Formidable-class frigate) | ||
2015 | RSS Tenacious | RSS Resilience | Systems Readiness Engineering Centre (Weapons) |
2016 | RSS Vigour | RSS Bedok | Systems Readiness Engineering Centre (Networks and Sensors) |
2017 | RSS Steadfast | RSS Resilience | Ship Superintending Engineering Centre |
2018 | RSS Stalwart | RSS Daring | Systems Readiness Engineering Centre (Weapons) |
2019 | RSS Formidable | RSS Independence | |
2020 | RSS Vigour | Ship Superintendent Engineering Centre | |
2021 | RSS Conqueror | RSS Fortitude | Systems Readiness Engineering Centre (Weapons) |
Year | Fleet[5] | Maritime Security | Naval Engineering & Logistics |
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.
Year | Best Air Force Units | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fighter Squadron | Helicopter Squadron | Ground Based Air Defence[6] | Air Combat Support[7] | Control Squadron | Air Engineering | Air Base Operability[8] | |
1985 | 145 SQN (A-4S Skyhawk) | Not contested | 165 SADA | Not contested | Not contested | Not contested | Not contested |
1986 | 140 SQN (Hawker Hunter) | ||||||
1987 | 149 SQN (F-5E/F Tiger II) | ||||||
1988 | 149 SQN (F-5E/F Tiger II) | ||||||
1989 | 143 SQN (A-4SU Super Skyhawk) | 120 SQN (UH-1H) | |||||
1990 | 143 SQN (A-4SU Super Skyhawk) | 165 SADA | (C-130 Hercules) | ||||
1991 | 140 SQN (F-16A/B Fighting Falcon) | 111 SQN (E-2C Hawkeye) | |||||
1992 | 140 SQN (F-16A/B Fighting Falcon) | 165 SADA | 120 SQN (UH-1H) | ||||
1993 | 140 SQN (F-16A/B Fighting Falcon) | 125 SQN (Super Puma) | |||||
1994 | 140 SQN (F-16A/B Fighting Falcon) | 126 SQN (Cougar) | |||||
1995 | 144 SQN (F-5S/T Tiger II) | 120 SQN (UH-1H) | |||||
1996 | 140 SQN (F-16A/B Fighting Falcon) | 120 SQN (UH-1H) | |||||
1997 | 145 SQN (A-4SU Super Skyhawk) | 165 SQN | 121 SQN (Fokker F-50 MPA/UTL) | ||||
1998 | 145 SQN (A-4SU Super Skyhawk) | 165 SQN | (C-130 Hercules) | ||||
1999 | 140 SQN (F-16A/B Fighting Falcon) | 125 SQN (Super Puma) | |||||
2000 | 145 SQN (A-4SU Super Skyhawk) | 120 SQN (UH-1H) | |||||
2001 | 142 SQN (A-4SU Super Skyhawk) | 111 SQN (E-2C Hawkeye) | |||||
2002 | 149 SQN (F-5S/T Tiger II) | 121 SQN (Fokker F-50 MPA/UTL) | |||||
2003 | 140 SQN (F-16C/D Fighting Falcon) | 121 SQN (Fokker F-50 MPA/UTL) | |||||
2004 | 149 SQN (F-5S/T Tiger II) | 120 SQN (UH-1H) | |||||
2005 | 144 SQN (F-5S/T Tiger II) | (C-130 Hercules) | |||||
2006 | 140 SQN (F-16C/D Fighting Falcon) | (KC-135 Stratotanker) | |||||
2007 | 140 SQN (F-16C/D Fighting Falcon) | 127 SQN (CH-47SD Chinook) | |||||
2008 | 149 SQN (F-5S/T Tiger II) | 121 SQN (Fokker F-50 MPA/UTL) | |||||
2009 | 144 SQN (F-5S/T Tiger II) | (KC-135 Stratotanker) | |||||
2010 | 140 SQN (F-16C/D Fighting Falcon) | 127 SQN (CH-47SD Chinook) | 121 SQN (Fokker F-50 MPA/UTL) | ||||
2011 | 149 SQN | 120 SQN | 165 SQN | 121 SQN | |||
2012 | 145 SQN (A-4SU Super Skyhawk) | 126 SQN | 111 SQN | ||||
2013 | 149 SQN (F-15SG Strike Eagle) | 126 SQN | |||||
2014 | 145 SQN (A-4SU Super Skyhawk) | 125 SQN | |||||
2015 | 144 SQN (F-5S/T Tiger II) | 126 SQN | Air Force Supply Centre | ||||
2016 | 140 SQN | 127 SQN | 6 DA BN | 121 SQN | 208 SQN | 807 SQN | 707 SQN |
2017 | 143 SQN | 125 SQN | 165 SQN | 121 SQN | 205 SQN | 811 SQN | Air Force Supply Centre |
2018 | 149 SQN | 165 SQN | 112 SQN | 207 SQN | 817 SQN | 706 SQN | |
2019 | 142 SQN | 3 DA BN | 119 SQN | 206 SQN | 811 SQN | 707 SQN | |
2020 | 143 SQN | 163 SQN | 122 SQN | 206 SQN | 816 SQN | 706 SQN | |
2021 | 120 SQN | 3 DA BN | 112 SQN | 206 SQN | 816 SQN | 706 SQN | |
Year | Fighter Squadron | Helicopter Squadron | Ground Based Air Defence[6] | Air Combat Support[7] | Control | Air Engineering | Air Base Operability[8] |
Past National Service unit winners[]
Army NS units[]
Year | Best Army NS Units | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Infantry / Guards | Armour | Artillery | Combat engineers | Signals | Combat Service Support | Combat Support | |
1994 | / / | 9 DS MED BN | Not contested | ||||
1995 | / / / | ||||||
1996 | / / / / / | 6 DS MED BN | |||||
1997 | / / / / / | ||||||
1998 | / / / / / | ||||||
1999 | / / / / / | ||||||
2000 | / / / / / | ||||||
2001 | / / / / / | ||||||
2002 | / / / / / | ||||||
2003 | / / / / / | ||||||
2004 | / / / / / | ||||||
2005 | / / / / | 9 DS MED BN | |||||
2006 | / / / / | 6 DS MED BN | |||||
2007 | / / / / | 31 FCCS BN | |||||
2008 | 652 SIR / 622 SIR / 596 SIR / 634 GDS / 663 SIR | 442 SAR | 280 SA | 327 SCE | |||
2009 | 652 SIR / 622 SIR / 696 SIR / 685 GDS / 628 SIR | 442 SAR | 282 SA | 329 SCE | |||
2010 | 588 SIR / 700 SIR / 720 SIR / 685 GDS / 663 SIR | 442 SAR | 280 SA | 329 SCE | 9 SIG BN | ||
2011 | 688 SIR / 700 SIR / 720 SIR / 724 GDS / 693 SIR | 453 SAR | 282 SA | 329 SCE | |||
2012 | 778 SIR / 700 SIR / 803 SIR / 745 GDS / 747 GDS | 452 SAR | 282 SA | 329 SCE | 6 SIG BN | ||
2013 | 688 SIR / 755 SIR / 720 SIR / 745 GDS / 747 GDS | 430 SAR | 287 SA | 321 SCE | 3 CSH | ||
2014 | 688 SIR / 755 SIR / 787 SIR / 734 GDS / 611 GDS | 483 SAR | 289 SA | 324 SCE | 32 CSS BN | ||
2015 | 688 SIR / 700 SIR / 787 SIR / 740 GDS / 611 GDS | 485 SAR | 289 SA | 321 SCE | 9 SIG BN | 8 CSH | |
2016 | 754 SIR / 772 SIR / 787 SIR / 735 GDS / 611 SIR | 485 SAR | 288 SA | 324 SCE | 3 CSH | ||
2017 | 733 SIR / 769 SIR / 788 SIR / 740 GDS / 812 SIR | 474 SAR | 289 SA | 327 SCE | 2 CSH | ||
2018 | 746 SIR / 772 SIR / 788 SIR / 740 GDS / 612 SIR | 473 SAR | 288 SA | 324 SCE | 63 CSS BN | ||
2019 | 746 SIR / 769 SIR / 790 SIR / 745 GDS / 792 SIR | 474 SAR | 267 SA | 327 SCE | |||
2020 | 786 SIR / 797 SIR / 790 SIR / 737 GDS / 792 SIR | 474 SAR | 228 SA | 351 SCE | |||
2021 | 746 SIR / 783 SIR / 793 SIR / 737 GDS / 716 SIR | 484 SAR | - | - | - | 38 CSS BN | 351 SCE |
Year | Infantry / Guards | Armour | Artillery | Combat engineers | Signals | Combat Service Support | Combat Support |
Retired award[]
Year | Best Army NS Units |
---|---|
People's Defence Force Command | |
1994 | / |
1995 | / |
[]
A new Best Naval NS Unit award was introduced from 2015.
Year | Best Naval NS Units |
---|---|
2015 | RSS Vigilance (Victory-class missile corvette) |
2016 | RSS Vengeance Team 1 |
2017 | |
2018 | |
2019 | RSS Vengeance |
2020 | |
2021 |
Controversies[]
In 2009, three regulars from the 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.[9]
References[]
- ^ SAF Honours its Best Units
- ^ An example of past Ordnance Supply Base
- ^ "PIONEER - Commandos clinch 16th Best Combat Unit award".
- ^ a b Known as "Best Logistics Unit" before 2006.
- ^ a b Known as "Best Air Defence Artillery" before 2010.
- ^ a b Known as "Best Tactical Support Squadron" before 2010.
- ^ a b Known as "Best Air Logistics Unit" before 2021.
- ^ Chow, Jermyn (16 December 2009). "Three altered scores for best unit contest". The Straits Times.
External links[]
Press releases[]
- Factsheet - List of Best NS Unit Competition Winners 2000
- Factsheet: Best Unit Award Winners for SAF Day 2006
- Factsheet: Best Unit Award Winners for SAF Day 2007
- Factsheet: Best Unit Award Winners for SAF Day 2008
- Factsheet: Best Unit Award Winners for SAF Day 2009
- Fact Sheet: Best Unit Award Winners (for 2010)
- Fact Sheet: Full List of Winners (for 2011)
- Fact Sheet: Singapore Armed Forces Best Unit Competition 2012
- Fact Sheet: Full List of Winners (for 2013)
- Winners of Best Unit Competition 2014
- Factsheet: Winners of Best Unit Competition 2015
- Fact Sheet: Winners of Best Unit Competition 2016
- Fact Sheet: Winners of Best Unit Competition 2017
- Fact Sheet: Winners of Best Unit Competition 2018
- Fact Sheet: Winners of Best Unit Competition 2019
- Fact Sheet: Winners of Best Unit Competition 2020
Video clips[]
- CyberPioneer: Honour - Being The Best, 2008 on YouTube, accessed 4 December 2008.
- Military of Singapore
- Singaporean military-related lists