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)
- Ordnance Supply Base (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 33 times since the award was launched in 1969, and for 17 consecutive years since 2004[3]
Year | Best Army Units | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Combat | Combat Support | Infantry/Guards | Armour | Artillery | Engineers | Signals | 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 | 1 SIB | ||||||
1974 | 1 CDO BN | 1 SIB | ||||||
1975 | 30 SCE | |||||||
1976 | 30 SCE | |||||||
1977 | 36 SCE | 1 SIR | 41 SAR | 24 SA | 36 SCE | |||
1978 | 41 SAR | 1 SIG BN | 4 SIR | 41 SAR | 24 SA | 35 SCE | 1 SIG BN | |
1979 | 42 SAR | SAFPU | 6 SIR | 42 SAR | 160 BN | 38 SCE | 2 SIG BN | |
1980 | 7 SIR | SAFPU | 7 SIR | 41 SAR | 160 BN | 38 SCE | 1 SIG BN | |
1981 | 3 GDS | 2 SIG BN | 3 GDS | 46 SAR | 22 SA | 38 SCE | 2 SIG BN | |
1982 | 42 SAR | SAFPU | 3 GDS | 42 SAR | 23 SA | 38 SCE | 2 SIG BN | GSMB |
1983 | 3 GDS | 2 SIG BN | 3 GDS | 46 SAR | 25 SA | 35 SCE | 2 SIG BN | OSB |
1984 | 41 SAR | 40 SAR | 3 GDS | 40 SAR | 22 SA | 35 SCE | 1 SIG BN | OSB |
1985 | 1 CDO BN | 40 SAR | 1 CDO BN | 41 SAR | 22 SA | 35 SCE | 1 SIG BN | OSB |
1986 | 5 SIR | 40 SAR | 5 SIR | 40 SAR | 23 SA | 36 SCE | 1 SIG BN | 1 TPT BN |
1987 | 1 CDO BN | SAFPU | 6 SIR | 40 SAR | 24 SA | 36 SCE | - | OSB |
1988 | 20 SA | 5 SIR | 40 SAR | 20 SA | 35 SCE | - | OSB | |
1989 | 20 SA | 2 SIR | 41 SAR | 20 SA | 36 SCE | - | OSB | |
1990 | 24 SA | 5 SIR | 41 SAR | 24 SA | 36 SCE | - | 6 DSMB | |
1991 | 3 GDS | 24 SA | 3 GDS | 46 SAR | 24 SA | 35 SCE | - | GSMB |
1992 | 1 CDO BN | 22 SA | 1 GDS | 42 SAR | 22 SA | 36 SCE | - | GSMB |
1993 | 23 SA | 5 SIR | 42 SAR | 23 SA | 36 SCE | - | GSMB | |
1994 | 20 SA | 5 SIR | 40 SAR | 20 SA | 36 SCE | 3 SIG BN | 1 TPT BN | |
1995 | 22 SA | 3 GDS | 42 SAR | 22 SA | 36 SCE | 1 SIG BN | 1 TPT BN | |
1996 | 36 SCE | 1 GDS | 42 SAR | 23 SA | 36 SCE | 1 SIG BN | 1 TPT BN | |
1997 | 3 SIR | 36 SCE | 3 SIR | 40 SAR | 21 SA | 36 SCE | 2 SIG BN | 9 DSMB |
1998 | 1 SIR | 36 SCE | 1 SIR | 40 SAR | 21 SA | 36 SCE | 1 SIG BN | 9 DSMB |
1999 | 1 CDO BN | 21 SA | 1 SIR | 40 SAR | 21 SA | 36 SCE | 2 SIG BN | 1 TPT BN |
2000 | 20 SA | 3 GDS | 40 SAR | 20 SA | 36 SCE | 2 SIG BN | 3 DSMB | |
2001 | 2 SIG BN | 3 GDS | 40 SAR | 24 SA | 35 SCE | 2 SIG BN | 9 DSMB | |
2002 | 40 SAR | 20 SA | 1 SIR | 40 SAR | 20 SA | 36 SCE | 2 SIG BN | 3 TPT BN |
2003 | 1 GDS | 3 SIG BN | 1 GDS | 46 SAR | 24 SA | 36 SCE | 3 SIG BN | GSMB |
2004 | 1 CDO BN | 3 TPT BN | 3 SIR | 46 SAR | 24 SA | 36 SCE | 3 SIG BN | 3 TPT BN |
2005 | 23 SA | 1 SIR | 41 SAR | 23 SA | 35 SCE | 3 SIG BN | 3 TPT BN | |
2006 | 3 SIG BN | 5 SIR | 46 SAR | 23 SA | 36 SCE | 3 SIG BN | GSMB | |
2007 | 3 SIG BN | 2 SIR | 40 SAR | 24 SA | 36 SCE | 3 SIG BN | 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 | 3 TPT BN | |
2010 | 39 SCE | 3 GDS | 42 SAR | 21 SA | 39 SCE | 1 SIG BN | 3 TPT BN | |
2011 | 24 SA | 3 SIR | 48 SAR | 24 SA | 39 SCE | 1 SIG BN | 3 TPT BN | |
2012 | 11 C4I | 3 SIR | 48 SAR | 24 SA | 35 SCE | 11 C4I | 6 AMB | |
2013 | 1 SIG BN | 4 SIR | 40 SAR | 24 SA | 35 SCE | 1 SIG BN | 6 AMB | |
2014 | 1 SIG BN | 4 SIR | 40 SAR | 24 SA | 38 SCE | 1 SIG BN | 6 AMB | |
2015 | 38 SCE | 1 GDS | 48 SAR | 24 SA | 38 SCE | 1 SIG BN | 6 AMB | |
2016 | 3 GDS | 40 SAR | 24 SA | 38 SCE | 1 SIG BN | GSAB | ||
2017 | 1 GDS | 48 SAR | 24 SA | 38 SCE | 1 SIG BN | 6 AMB | ||
2018 | 3 GDS | 48 SAR | 24 SA | 38 SCE | 11 C4I | 6 AMB[5] | ||
2019 | 3 SIR | 41 SAR | 24 SA | 38 SCE | 17 C4I | 6 AMB[6] | ||
2020 | 1 GDS | 40 SAR | 24 SA | 38 SCE | 11 C4I | 6 AMB | ||
Year | Combat | Combat Support | Infantry/Guards | Armour | Artillery | Engineers | Signals | Combat Service Support[4] |
Active Navy units
Two new awards in maritime security and in naval engineering and logistics were introduced in 2015.
Year | Best Navy Units | ||
---|---|---|---|
Fleet | Maritime Security | Naval Engineering & Logistics | |
1981 | RSS Independence (Fast patrol craft) | Not contested | Not contested |
1982 | RSS Sea Scorpion (Sea Wolf-class gunboat) | ||
1983 | RSS Justice (Fast patrol craft) | ||
1984 | RSS Dauntless (Fast patrol craft) | ||
1985 | RSS Persistence (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 | Systems Readiness Engineering Centre (Weapons) |
2020 | RSS Vigour | RSS Independence | Ship Superintendent Engineering Centre |
Year | Fleet | 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 13 times.
Year | Best Air Force Units | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fighter Squadron | Helicopter Squadron | Ground Based Air Defence[8] | Air Combat Support[9] | Control Squadron | Air Engineering | Air Logistics | |
1985 | 145 SQN (A-4S Skyhawk) | Not contested | 165 SADA | Not contested | Not contested | Not contested | Not contested |
1986 | 140 SQN (Hawker Hunter) | 165 SADA | |||||
1987 | 149 SQN (F-5E/F Tiger II) | 165 SADA | |||||
1988 | 149 SQN (F-5E/F Tiger II) | 160 SADA | |||||
1989 | 143 SQN (A-4SU Super Skyhawk) | 160 SADA | 120 SQN (UH-1H) | ||||
1990 | 143 SQN (A-4SU Super Skyhawk) | 165 SADA | 122 SQN (C-130 Hercules) | ||||
1991 | 140 SQN (F-16A/B Fighting Falcon) | 160 SADA | 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) | 160 SADA | 125 SQN (Super Puma) | ||||
1994 | 140 SQN (F-16A/B Fighting Falcon) | 160 SADA | 126 SQN (Cougar) | ||||
1995 | 144 SQN (F-5S/T Tiger II) | 160 SQN | 120 SQN (UH-1H) | ||||
1996 | 140 SQN (F-16A/B Fighting Falcon) | 3 DA BN | 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 | 122 SQN (C-130 Hercules) | ||||
1999 | 140 SQN (F-16A/B Fighting Falcon) | 160 SQN | 125 SQN (Super Puma) | ||||
2000 | 145 SQN (A-4SU Super Skyhawk) | 163 SQN | 120 SQN (UH-1H) | ||||
2001 | 142 SQN (A-4SU Super Skyhawk) | 163 SQN | 111 SQN (E-2C Hawkeye) | ||||
2002 | 149 SQN (F-5S/T Tiger II) | 3 DA BN | 121 SQN (Fokker F-50 MPA/UTL) | ||||
2003 | 140 SQN (F-16C/D Fighting Falcon) | 18 DA BN | 121 SQN (Fokker F-50 MPA/UTL) | ||||
2004 | 149 SQN (F-5S/T Tiger II) | 160 SQN | 120 SQN (UH-1H) | ||||
2005 | 144 SQN (F-5S/T Tiger II) | 160 SQN | 122 SQN (C-130 Hercules) | ||||
2006 | 140 SQN (F-16C/D Fighting Falcon) | 160 SQN | 112 SQN (KC-135 Stratotanker) | ||||
2007 | 140 SQN (F-16C/D Fighting Falcon) | 3 DA BN | 127 SQN (CH-47SD Chinook) | ||||
2008 | 149 SQN (F-5S/T Tiger II) | 3 DA BN | 121 SQN (Fokker F-50 MPA/UTL) | ||||
2009 | 144 SQN (F-5S/T Tiger II) | 3 DA BN | 112 SQN (KC-135 Stratotanker) | ||||
2010 | 140 SQN (F-16C/D Fighting Falcon) | 127 SQN (CH-47SD Chinook) | 3 DA BN | 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 | 163 SQN | 111 SQN | |||
2013 | 149 SQN (F-15SG Strike Eagle) | 126 SQN | 163 SQN | 116 SQN | |||
2014 | 145 SQN (A-4SU Super Skyhawk) | 125 SQN | 163 SQN | 122 SQN | 203 SQN | 807 SQN | |
2015 | 144 SQN (F-5S/T Tiger II) | 126 SQN | 163 SQN | 112 SQN | 206 SQN | 807 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 | 125 SQN | 165 SQN | 112 SQN | 207 SQN | 817 SQN | 706 SQN |
2019 | 142 SQN | 125 SQN | 3 DA BN | 119 SQN | 206 SQN | 811 SQN | 707 SQN |
Year | Fighter Squadron | Helicopter Squadron | Ground Based Air Defence[8] | Air Combat Support[9] | Control | Air Engineering | Air Logistics |
Past National Service unit winners
Army NS units
Year | Best Army NS Units | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Infantry / Guards | Armour | Artillery | Combat engineers | Signals | Combat Service Support | ||
1994 | 67 GDS / 88 GDS / 187 SIR | 422 SAR | 211 SA | 307 SCE | 6 SIG BN | 9 DS MED BN | |
1995 | 514 SIR / 543 SIR / 70 GDS / 91 GDS | 432 SAR | 204 SA | 307 SCE | 8 SIG BN | 9 DS MED BN | |
1996 | 184 SIR / 188 SIR / 504 SIR / 514 SIR / 543 SIR / 70 GDS | 423 SAR | 265 SA | 307 SCE | 6 SIG BN | 6 DS MED BN | |
1997 | 83 SIR / 188 SIR / 525 SIR / 541 SIR / 70 GDS / 550 GDS | 423 SAR | 204 SA | 321 SCE | 6 SIG BN | 6 DS MED BN | |
1998 | 184 SIR / 514 SIR / 525 SIR / 542 SIR / 531 GDS / 549 GDS | 416 SAR | 204 SA | 308 SCE | 6 SIG BN | 6 DS MED BN | |
1999 | 185 SIR / 187 SIR / 523 SIR / 573 SIR / 531 GDS / 548 GDS | 425 SAR | 211 SA | 322 SCE | 6 SIG BN | 6 DS MED BN | |
2000 | 85 SIR / 187 SIR / 524 SIR / 573 SIR / 595 SIR / 548 GDS | 466 SAR | 211 SA | 323 SCE | 6 SIG BN | 6 DS MED BN | |
2001 | 516 SIR / 542 SIR / 557 SIR / 602 SIR / 86 GDS / 90 GDS | 466 SAR | 274 SA | 326 SCE | 6 SIG BN | 6 DS MED BN | |
2002 | 652 SIR / 621 SIR / 596 SIR / 550 GDS / 86 GDS / 524 SIR | 466 SAR | 254 SA | 324 SCE | 6 SIG BN | 6 DS MED BN | |
2003 | 652 SIR / 652 SIR / 595 SIR / 550 GDS / 90 GDS / 548 GDS | 466 SAR | 271 SA | 327 SCE | 9 SIG BN | 6 DS MED BN | |
2004 | 652 SIR / 657 SIR / 596 SIR / 543 SIR / 566 SIR / 583 GDS | 424 SAR | 278 SA | 328 SCE | 6 SIG BN | 6 DS MED BN | |
2005 | 588 SIR / 596 SIR / 657 SIR / 682 SIR / 550 GDS | 466 SAR | 275 SA | 324 SCE | 6 SIG BN | 9 DS MED BN | |
2006 | 626 SIR / 657 SIR / 596 SIR / 581 SIR / 609 SIR | 442 SAR | 278 SA | 324 SCE | 6 SIG BN | 6 DS MED BN | |
2007 | 652 SIR / 622 SIR / 596 SIR / 609 SIR / 566 SIR | 466 SAR | 256 SA | 328 SCE | 6 SIG BN | 31 FCCS BN | |
2008 | 652 SIR / 622 SIR / 596 SIR / 634 GDS / 663 SIR | 442 SAR | 280 SA | 327 SCE | 6 SIG BN | 31 FCSS BN | |
2009 | 652 SIR / 622 SIR / 696 SIR / 685 GDS / 628 SIR | 442 SAR | 282 SA | 329 SCE | 6 SIG BN | 31 FCSS BN | |
2010 | 588 SIR / 700 SIR / 720 SIR / 685 GDS / 663 SIR | 442 SAR | 280 SA | 329 SCE | 9 SIG BN | 31 FCSS BN | |
2011 | 688 SIR / 700 SIR / 720 SIR / 724 GDS / 693 SIR | 453 SAR | 282 SA | 329 SCE | 9 SIG BN | 31 FCSS BN | |
2012 | 778 SIR / 700 SIR / 803 SIR / 745 GDS / 747 GDS | 452 SAR | 282 SA | 329 SCE | 6 SIG BN | 31 FCCS BN | |
2013 | 688 SIR / 755 SIR / 720 SIR / 745 GDS / 747 GDS | 430 SAR | 287 SA | 321 SCE | 6 SIG BN | 3 CSH | |
2014 | 688 SIR / 755 SIR / 787 SIR / 734 GDS / 611 GDS | 483 SAR | 289 SA | 324 SCE | 6 SIG BN | 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 | 9 SIG BN | 3 CSH | |
2017 | 733 SIR / 769 SIR / 788 SIR / 740 GDS / 812 SIR | 474 SAR | 289 SA | 327 SCE | 9 SIG BN | 2 CSH | |
2018 | 746 SIR / 772 SIR / 788 SIR / 740 GDS / 612 SIR | 473 SAR | 288 SA | 324 SCE | 9 SIG BN | 63 CSS BN | |
2019 | 746 SIR/ 769 SIR/ 790 SIR/ 745 GDS/ 792 SIR | 474 SAR | 267 SA | 327 SCE | 9 SIG BN | 63 CSS BN | |
Year | Infantry / Guards | Armour | Artillery | Combat engineers | Signals | Combat Service Support |
Retired award
Year | Best Army NS Units |
---|---|
People's Defence Force Command | |
1994 | 73 SIR / 184 SIR |
1995 | 63 SIR / 504 SIR |
Naval NS units
A new Best Naval NS Unit award was introduced from 2015.
Year | Best Naval NS Units |
---|---|
Naval | |
2015 | RSS Vigilance (Victory-class missile corvette) |
2016 | RSS Vengeance Team 1 |
2017 | RSS Vengeance Team 1 |
2018 | RSS Vengeance Team 1 |
2019 | RSS Vengeance |
Controversies
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.[10]
References
- SAF Honours its Best Units
- An example of past Ordnance Supply Base
- https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/portal/pioneer/article/regular-article-detail/milestones/2019-Q2/24jun19_news1
- Known as "Best Logistics Unit" before 2006.
- https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/portal/mindef/news-and-events/latest-releases/article-detail/2018/june/25jun18_fs
- "Fact Sheet: Winners of Best Unit Competition 2019". www.mindef.gov.sg. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
- Known as "Best Air Defence Artillery" before 2010.
- Known as "Best Tactical Support Squadron" before 2010.
- 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
Video clips
- CyberPioneer: Honour - Being The Best, 2008 on YouTube, accessed 4 December 2008.