Singapore I.

The Origins of the Singapore Armed Forces - Freedom from the British Colonial rule and separation from Malaysia made Singapore a vulnerable new independent state. - Singapore faced the challenges of defending itself alone from external threats. (Indonesian Konfrontasi, Threats of communist insurgency and Indo-Chinese wars) - There were only two battalions in Singapore, the 1st Singapore Infantry Regiment (1 SIR) formed in 1957 and the 2 SIR, formed in 1962. - The government of Singapore acknowledged the need to build the states own armed forces in spite the reassurance of the British. - The creation of the new defense force was headed by then Minister of Interior and Defense, Dr. Goh Keng Swee with the support of PM Lee Kwan Yew. To support the existing troops, the implementation of having a conscript reserve became ideal given Singapores small area and multi-ethnic society. Role of the Singapore Armed Forces - Aside from being guards of the state, the SAF are also considered to have helped in the growth of Singapore as a nation-state. - In the mid-1980s the role of the military has been significant in the domestic politics. - The MINDEF/SAF, are able to positively help in the economic development of Singapore through the

contribution of trained personnel that upon leaving service are assumed to be ready to take on a productive line of employment.

III.

II.

The Code of Conduct for the Armed Forces/ Seven Core Values Code of Conduct - Promulgated in 1967 by then, Defense Minister Dr. Goh Keng Swee. 1. We always honour our Nation. We will do everything to uphold it and nothing to disgrace it. 2. At all times, we must bear in mind that we are the protector of our citizens. 3. We are loyal to the Armed Forces and we take pride in our unit, our uniform, our discipline, our work, our training and ourselves. 4. We must be exemplary in our conduct. We respect others, and by our conduct and bearing win the respect of others. We are courageous but not reckless. 5. We are devoted to duty but not to ourselves. 6. We guard our weapons as we guard secrets. Seven Core Values 1. Loyalty to Country 2. Leadership 3. Discipline 4. Professionalism 5. Fighting Spirit 6. Ethics 7. Care for Soldiers

IV.

National Service - To aid the need for own defense, the citizenmilitary approach through conscript reserve. - The 1 SIR and 2 SIR trained the new reserves. - To develop the citizen- soldier military, Singapore looked at Israel as its model. - Aside from creating a defense for the state, the compulsory national service, also, in theory, will help in creating a Singaporean Nation. - It will help in developing patriotism among citizens and will lead to the formation of a national identity rooted to the commitment to defend a one nationstate. Enlistment Act All male, not below 18 years are to report for enlistment for the national service. Amongst those who reported for enlistment, only those who are fit are required to fulfill the duty. With the discretion of the proper authority, a person required to report for enlistment can be transferred from one form of service to another. Those who are fit for national service and enlisted shall be liable to render full-time service for a period not exceeding 2 years. Exemptions are: 1. If the person is promoted to the force or organization designated by the Minister. 2. Holds an office that might not be in the force but for the purpose of national security as designated by the minister.

V.

- 3. Selected for officer training in the SAF. Civil-Military Relationship in Singapore - Singapore linked military effectiveness and civilian control through the idea that both are working for the security of the state. - Legitimacy of the SAF has not been questioned because of the convergence of the military-state interests. As manifested in the Soldier-Scholar framework. - The SAF has become the source of elite-ministerialcandidates. This has become possible through the programs of the SAF, the SAF Overseas Scholarship, SAF Merit Scholarship, and Defense Merit Scholarship, to name a few. - A Dual-Career Scheme also enabled high ranking scholars to position in civil service positions.

VI. Convergence of State and Military Interests The middle of 1980s has been a significant part of the change in the civil-military relationship as well as state and military interest convergence in Singapore. Military Men turned Politicians Lee Hsien Loong Yeo George Yoong-Boon Teo Chee Hean Lee Hsien Loong o Singapores third Prime Minister

Member of the Parliament in 1984 an reelected 6 times o Minster of the State for ministry of Defense and Ministry of Trade and Industry o 1990, became Deputy Prime Minister o Before politics, was brigadier general in SAF Teo Chee Hean o Deputy Prime Minister & Coordinating Minister for National Security & Minister for Home Affairs o Served in SAF, Chief of Navy in 1991 o Became a Minister for Defense, Education, and the Environment. And also State Minister of Finance, Communications and Defence. Yeo George Yoong-Boon o Minister for foreign affairs o George Yeo then served in the SAF as a Signals
Officer. In 1979, attended Command and Staff College. the Singapore

o o o VII.

Transferred to Air Force and became Head of the Air Plans Department. 1985 as appointed Chief- of-Staff of the Air Staff. Became Director of Joint Operations and planning in the Ministry of Defense. Was promoted Brigadier-General in 1988. He resigned from the SAF in August 1988 then entered politics.

The Poisonous Shrimp - From poisonous shrimp to a porcupine - Total Defense