SAF promotes first female to Brigadier-General rank

• FireIce

  26 Jun 15, 20:00

  

  SINGAPORE - Colonel Gan Siow Huang has smashed the "brass ceiling" to become the first female general in the Singapore Armed Forces.

  The 40-year-old was among seven who headed the SAF's annual promotion list, receiving their first star on Friday as they moved up to the rank of Brigadier-General or Rear-Admiral.

  The other six were: Colonel Lam Sheau Kai and Colonel Kenneth Liow from the Army; the Republic of Singapore Navy's Colonel Lew Chuen Hong and Colonel Frederick Chew; the Republic of Singapore Air Force's Colonel Kelvin Khong; and the Military Security Department's Colonel Paul Chew.

  With that, they ascended to the top echelons of SAF, which will now have more than 20 generals or admirals.

  Colonel Gan, one of four women who were the first to receive the SAF Merit Scholarship in 1993, said it had been a "tough journey" rising through the ranks in the last 22 years fraught with tough choices between career progression and family.

  "I think it's about managing priorities, knowing what you really want...but with each choice, I accept the outcomes," said Col Gan, who served in numerous appointments such as commander of the RSAF's 203 squadron, and Air Surveillance and Control Group. Now the head of SAF's joint manpower department, she will take over as RSAF's head of air intelligence and director (Special Projects) next month.

  Besides paying tribute to her supportive colleagues and bosses, Col Gan said strong family support was "absolutely critical" while she pursued her career.

  The mother of three girls, aged 3, 8 and 12, said her parents-in-law as well as her husband, who left the the navy for the private sector in 2006, help take care of the children while she is at work.

  In all, 413 officers, 74 military experts and 34 warrant officers from all three branches of the military earned promotions. Comprising regulars and operationally-ready national servicmen (NSmen), they were presented with their certificates at a ceremony at the Defence Ministry on Friday.

  They will wear their new ranks from SAF Day on Wednesday, when the promotions take effect.

  ST

• Yolandfry19

  26 Jun 15, 20:51

  http://www.ns.sg/nsp/web/content/saf-dress/main

   

• Enchanter

  20 Jul 15, 00:07

  SAF Dress General Instructions

  
  

  Introduction

  The public image of any armed forces depends not only on its proven or potential fighting efficiency in times of war but also equally on its appearance and conduct as a disciplined and unified force. Therefore uniformity, correctness and smartness on all occasions are essential in projecting the desired public image.

  
  

  Personal Appearance

  Every service personnel must maintain a neat and clean appearance and be smartly dressed on all occasions while in uniform. Uniforms worn are to be neat, clean, properly fitted and pressed/ironed to portray a smart military image. The uniform must be worn properly at all times.

  
  

  Acceptable Haircut in MINDEF/SAF

  Our military bearing, turnout and conduct reflect the level of discipline and professionalism in the SAF. Apart from facilitating operational readiness, it is therefore crucial for us to upkeep SAF’s image with good military bearing and professionalism. Every serviceman is expected to maintain appropriate bearing and turnout, and acceptable haircut is part of it. Refer to Annex A for Acceptable Haircut in MINDEF/SAF.

  Sikh personnel wearing the turban and patkas, and practising Sikhism prior to enlistment for Full-time National Service are allowed to keep long hair due to their tradition. However, they are to ensure that the hair showings below the turban are neatly tucked in and that beard and moustache are neatly groomed.

  
  

  Wearing of Uniform

  All SAF uniformed personnel (including Regulars, NSF, NSmen and SAF Volunteer Corps) are not allowed to wear the SAF uniform or any part of the SAF uniform, when overseas except when on official duties.

  A Regular, NSF, NSmen or SAF VC is not to wear the uniform or any part of it except when:

  1. performing military duty and when proceeding to or from a place of military duty,
  2. attending a ceremonial function, or a social function of a purely military service in nature or
  3. any other occasion as directed by MINDEF/SAF.

  
  

  The SAF Day marks the importance of defence and the role of every soldier in defending Singapore. To increase public support for defence and NS, all NSmen are encouraged to wear their SAF uniform to work on 1st July.

  Temporary excuse from wearing uniform may be given to service personnel for medical reasons certified by SAF Medical Officers.

  
  

  Numbered Order of Dress

  The authorised numbered order of dress in the SAF is as follow:

  1. No.1 dress - Ceremonial dress
  2. No.2 dress - Mess kit
  3. No.3 dress - Office dress (including Maternity Uniform)
  4. No.4 dress - Field dress
  5. No.5 dress - Service dress
     • - (T) Tie
     • - (J) Jacket
     • - (E) Enhanced
     • - (S) Simplified

  
  
  

  Occasions for Wearing

  Generally, the SAF uniform is to be worn for the following occasions:

  1. No.1 dress is used by Guard of Honour contingents on all occasions and Commissioning Parades, including Military guests attending the events. These include parades such as Specialists Cadet Graduation Parade (SCGP), Milestone Parade or parades that required to be in No.1 dress as stated by the organising committee.
  2. No.2 dress is used when the occasion includes Dining-In.
  3. No.3 dress is used as an office uniform and for normal walking out.
  4. No.4 dress is used for training and in lieu of the No.3 dress if the serviceman is not issued with one.
  5. No.5 (T) dress is worn when attending simple parades, ceremonies and receptions.
  6. No.5 (J) dress is worn when attending specified ceremony and overseas courses/ seminars or when specified.
  7. No.5 (E) dress is worn when attending an Investiture or specified ceremony.
  8. No.5 (S) dress is worn as and when required to facilitate changing to and from other versions of the No. 5 dress as well as a dress down attire before/after parade/event. This is not an official dress code for SAF events.

  
  
  

  Clarification

  Any clarification to the SAF Dress Instructions can be directed to SAF SM Office through Services' R&D or Unit RSM.

  
  

  Annex A: Acceptable Haircut in MINDEF/SAF

  1. Acceptable haircut for male.

  

  
  
  

  Note:

  Moustaches are permitted. If a moustache is kept, it has to be kept neatly trimmed and of moderate length. No portion is to fall below a line parallel with the bottom of the upper lip or extend sideways beyond a vertical line drawn upward from the corner of the mouth.

• iveco

  20 Jul 15, 00:38

  something tells me BG Gan may be tapped by the pigs in white as a possible candidate for future elections.

• Dr@gon

  7 Aug 15, 10:46

  SAF Dress Medals

  
  

  General

  These instructions set out the method of wearing medals, their miniatures and ribbons.

  
  

  Authorisation

  Only the following medals (including its miniatures and ribbons) may be worn:

  1. Awarded by the State.
  2. Awarded by the SAF.
  3. Awarded by foreign powers where permission to accept and wear has been given by the State.
  4. Non-military orders and medals of society where permission has been given by the State.

  
  

  Permission to wear any foreign or non-military award must be sought from Chairman, SAF Dress Committee except when permission has been granted. Service personnel may seek permission through their Services' R&D or Unit RSM.

  
  

  Wearing of Medals

  Medals are worn on the left side of the uniform, in accordance with the order of precedence. Full-sized medals are worn with the No.1 and No.5 dress (Enhanced). The medals are worn centrally on the left side of the jacket showing the obverse face. The base of the medals should be just above the pocket button.

  

  
  

  Notes:

  Singapore awards will take precedence over foreign awards. Foreign medals will be worn according to date of award based on the date receipt, i.e. the earlier award on the wearer’s right just after Singapore awards.

  Wearing of Miniature Medals for Mess Kit

  Miniature medals are to be worn with the mess kit (No.2 dress).

  

  
  

  Notes:

  Singapore awards will take precedence over foreign awards. Foreign medals will be worn according to date of award based on the date receipt, i.e. the earlier award on the wearer’s right just after Singapore awards.

  Wearing of Ribbons

  Ribbons are worn on No.3, No.5 (S), No.5 (T) and No.5 (J) dress without the orders, decorations and medals. They are worn immediately above the left chest pocket flap. The senior ribbon is worn on the wearer’s right and in the top row when more than one row is worn. Ribbons are worn to a maximum of three in a row. Ribbons in excess of this number are to be worn centrally above the completed row.

  

  
  

  Notes:

  • Maximum of three ribbons are mounted in a row.
  • Ribbons in excess of 3 are to be worn centrally above the completed row.
  • The senior ribbon is worn on the wearer’s right and in the top row when more than one row is worn.
  • Singapore awards will take precedence over foreign awards. Foreign medals will be worn according to date of award based on the date receipt, i.e. the earlier award on the wearer’s right just after Singapore awards.

  
  

  Loss/Replacement

  The loss of any insignia awarded/issued is to be reported to Chairman, SAF Dress Committee through their respective R&D. The replacement process is in accordance to the medal rules stated in the gazette. Replacement of losses of individual awards is entirely the responsibility of the owner.

• Lalalalaboy

  14 Sep 15, 11:07

  SAF Dress Military Wedding

   

  Introduction

  In military tradition, all Commissioned Officer (including NSF and NS officers) are eligible for military wedding. All applicants are required to seek approval from their respective Services' R&D.

  The term military wedding is generally used when the groom and the groomsman are in military uniform and the bride and groom pass through under the traditional Arch of Swords. The tradition of the military wedding inherited from the British is usually the choice of the bride and groom who wants both colour and ritual ceremony. It can be a spectacular memory for those who are authorized to be married in a military wedding.

  A military wedding follows the same custom and format as a civilian wedding with the exception that the groom/bride is in military uniform and there is an Arch of Swords formed by officers. A military wedding is usually the choice of the bride and groom who want a ceremony with military decorum.

  As a military wedding follows certain aspects of military decorum and drill, the wedding proceedings should not breach military protocol and regulations. Only commissioned officers are entitled for a military wedding.

  Military wedding is a privilege presented to the Officers of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). Donning No. 1 Dress accompanied by Sword Bearers forming the Arch of Sword makes the event memorable and adds to the military grandeur. Traditionally the bride and groom walk through the arch of swords, signifying the couple's safe transition into their new life together.

   

  Principal Considerations

  The principal considerations for this ceremony are:

  1. The ceremony must reflect and portray good military image.
  2. Commissioned Officers (including NSF and NS officers) are eligible for a military wedding if approved by JMPD.
  3. Applicant¹ in RSN and RSAF is to submit their request to JMPD through his Unit S1, at least one month before the wedding. The application should have the following information:
     1. NRIC, Rank and Name of Applicant and contact number.
     2. Bare-backed dresses
     3. Date, time and venue of wedding and photo shoot.
     4. List of Sword Bearers.
  4. The ceremony may be conducted in a church or a restaurant (refer to Annex A).

   

  ¹Applicant in Army is to submit their request to G1 Army through their Unit S1, at least one month before the wedding.

  Sequence of Ceremony

  The sequence of this ceremony is:

  1. Sword Bearers form up.
  2. Sword Bearers march in.
  3. Conduct of Wedding Ceremony.
  4. Sword Bearers march out.

  
  

  Composition of Ceremony

  The composition of this ceremony is:

  1. Sword Bearer - 8 to 12 Commission Officer (equivalent or lower rank of the Bride or Groom).

  
  

  Attire

  The attires for this ceremony are:

  1. Bride or Groom : No.1 Dress.
  2. Sword Bearer : No.1 Dress with ceremonial sword..

  
  

  Clarification

  Any clarification to the SAF Dress – Military Wedding can be directed to SAF SM Office through their Services’ R&D or Unit RSM.

• MadeEasy4U

  28 Sep 15, 15:21

  SAF Dress Badges

  
  

  Introduction

  The principle of wearing the SAF badges is that the vocation badge or the badge of highest precedence will be worn closest to the heart and above all others when more than one badge is worn. All SAF badges, except for Identification badges are to be worn on the left side of the uniform. A maximum of three badges can be worn on the left chest area and a maximum of two tabs and two badges on the left shoulder sleeves.

  Approved foreign badges are to be worn in accordance with how they are worn on the awarding country/foreign armed forces’ uniform, except that they are worn on the right side of the uniform. A maximum of three foreign badges may be worn on the right chest area, two foreign badges may be worn on the right pocket flap and one foreign badge may be worn on the right beast pocket of the uniform. A total of three badges including Identification Badge may be worn on the right chest area and a maximum of three foreign badges may be worn on the right side of the uniform at any one point of time. One foreign skill tab may be worn on the right sleeve.

  SAF badges are categorised into the following groups:

  1. vocation badges
  2. arms badges
  3. skill badges (including skill tabs)
  4. proficiency badges
  5. incentive badges
  6. identification badges
  7. formation/unit badges

  
  

  Within each category, the order of precedence is according to Service, for example, Army personnel will wear the airborne wings ahead of a diver's badge while Navy personnel will wear them vice-versa.

  
  

  

  
  

  Notes:

  • Maximum of three SAF badges may be worn on the left chest area.
  • A single badge is to be worn centrally on the left side of the dress on the left chest area.
  • Where Two badges are mounted side by side, the vocation badge or the badge of highest precedence will be worn closest to the heart and above all others when more than one badge is worn. In the event of a vocation badge or the badge is too large for this manner of mounting, they are to be mounted on two tiers.
  • Three badges are to be mounted in the form of a pyramid.
  • The numbering of 1, 2 and 3 in the pictures denote the order of precedence of the badges.

  
  

  

  
  

  Notes:

  • Approved identification/honorary badges are worn at the right side of the uniform.
  • The identification badge will take precedence over any foreign badges and will be worn in symmetry to the badges on the right chest area and above all others when more than one badge is worn.
  • The numbering of 1, 2 and 3 in the pictures denote the order of precedence of the badges.