Cohesion key to battalion’s win in SAF best unit competition

This article is more than 12 months old

Jun 30, 2015 06:00 am

Second Sergeant (2SG) Quek Zhi Yuan is not the only one who gets activated when he is called up for reservist training.

His wife also steps up to the plate, tending to their two children - aged three and one - single-handedly during the time their father is away.

So when 2SG Quek's unit clinched the Best NS Combat Engineers Unit award this year, he felt that recognition should go not only to the NSmen but also the families who support them.

"My wife allowed me to focus fully on my in-camp training because she took care of the kids," said the 34-year-old, who serves as a deputy chief clerk in the 321st Battalion, Singapore Combat Engineers (321 SCE).

The Best NS Combat Engineers Unit award is one of the 29 awards which were given as part of the annual Best Unit Competition organised by the Singapore Armed Forces,

The contest recognises units which have excelled in the areas of combat readiness, operational proficiency and administrative excellence.

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Said 2SG Quek: "321st Battalion deserves the award. Everyone did their best - from the commanders down to the last man."

PRIDE

321 SCE's commanding officer, Major (NS) Tan Chee Ming, said the feeling of pride and loyalty was one of the key factors behind the win.

The 42-year-old said: "The one thing that stands out for us is the cohesiveness of the unit.

"This is established through constant engagement between commanders and soldiers, and it helps us to better understand one another."

This is the second time 321 SCE has won the award, with the first in 2013.

Said Major Tan: "It is a fantastic feeling. The award recognises the efforts of every individual and is a great motivation for the entire unit."

Regimental Sergeant Major of 321 SCE, Second Warrant Officer (2WO) Poh Choon Beng, was also delighted with the win.

He said it was definitely not luck that won them the award, but the engagement and commitment of the NSmen towards defence.

2WO Poh said: "The NSmen put their utmost effort into carrying out every task. And we won the award because everyone of us had a heart for defence."

"It is a fantastic feeling. The award recognises the efforts of every individual and is a great motivation for the entire unit."

- Major (NS) Tan Chee Ming, commanding officer of 321 SCE

BEST OF SAF

The Singapore Armed Forces' annual Best Unit Competition recognises units which have excelled in the areas of combat readiness, operational proficiency and administrative excellence.

A total of 18 active and 11 national service (NS) units were recognised for being the best in their respective formations.

They include: