The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) are the military of the Republic of Singapore,responsible for protecting and defending the security interests and the sovereignty of the country. A component of the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF),the armed forces have four service branches:the Army,Navy,Air Force,and Digital and Intelligence Service. An integrated force,it is one of the most capable,robust,technologically sophisticated and powerful militaries in the Southeast Asia region. The SAF is headed by the chief of defence force,appointed by the president of Singapore,on the advice of the Cabinet.
The Singapore Army is the land service branch of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). The largest of the four branches of the SAF,the Singapore Army traces its origins to the 1st Battalion,Singapore Infantry Regiment,which was formed in 1957,when Singapore was still under British colonial rule. After Singapore's independence on 9 August 1965,the Singapore Army Bill was passed in Parliament on 23 December 1965,and National Service (NS) was subsequently introduced in 1967. Mostly made up of conscripts,the Singapore Army can mobilise all operationally-ready military reservists in the event of war or national exigencies.
Orders and decorations conferred to military personnel of the Singapore Armed Forces in Singapore,listed by order of precedence:
Ng Yat Chung is a Singaporean former lieutenant-general who served as Chief of Defence Force between 2003 and 2007.
Desmond Kuek Bak Chye is a Singaporean former lieutenant-general who served as Chief of Defence Force between 2007 and 2010.
Neo Kian Hong is a Singaporean civil servant and former lieutenant-general who served as Chief of Defence Force between 2010 and 2013.
The Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) is a decoration awarded to members of the Singapore Armed Forces and allied military members for exceptionally distinguished service or merit in senior command or staff positions.
The Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) is a decoration awarded to members of the Singapore Armed Forces for exceptionally distinguished performance or extraordinary service,or the furtherance of links with overseas forces.
Ng Chee Peng is a Singaporean civil servant and former two-star rear-admiral who served as Chief of Navy between 2011 and 2014.
Ng Chee Meng is a Singaporean politician,union leader and former lieutenant-general who has been serving as Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress since 2018. A member of the governing People's Action Party (PAP),he was the Member of Parliament (MP) representing the Punggol North division of Pasir Ris–Punggol GRC between 2015 and 2020. He served as Minister for Education (Schools) between 2015 and 2018,and Minister in the Prime Minister's Office between 2018 and 2020.
Hoo Cher Mou is a Singaporean former major-general who served as Chief of Air Force between 2013 and 2016. He was the first non-pilot to serve as Chief of Air Force.
Perry Lim Cheng Yeow is a Singaporean former lieutenant-general who served as Chief of Defence Force between 2015 and 2018.
Moeldoko is an Indonesian government official,businessman,and retired general serving as the current Chief of Staff of Presidency for President Joko Widodo,previously serving as Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces. He graduated from the Indonesian Military Academy (AKABRI) in 1981 and received the Adhi Makayasa medal as valedictorian of his class. On 27 August 2013,he was appointed Commander of the National Armed Forces by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and approved by the People's Representative Council after serving as the Chief of Staff of the Army for only three months. He succeeded Admiral (Ret.) Agus Suhartono who retired in May 2013.
Mervyn Tan Wei Ming is a Singaporean former major-general who served as Chief of Air Force between 2016 and 2019. He has been serving as the chief executive of Defence Science and Technology Agency since 2021.
General Andika Perkasa is an Indonesian general who previously served as the 21st Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces. He was appointed by the President of Indonesia Joko Widodo in November 2021,replacing the retiring ACM Hadi Tjahjanto.
Kelvin Khong Boon Leong is a Singaporean former major-general who served as Chief of Air Force from 2019 until 2024.
Goh Si Hou is a Singaporean former major-general who served as Chief of Army between 2018 and 2022. He is currently serving as the chief executive officer of the Public Utilities Board (PUB).
Aaron Beng Yao Cheng is a Singaporean vice-admiral who has been serving as Chief of Defence Force since 2023. Prior to his appointment as Chief of Defence Force,he served as Chief of Navy between 2020 and 2023. He is the first naval officer to serve as Chief of Defence Force,and the first to hold the rank of Vice-Admiral in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).
David Neo Chin Wee is a Singaporean major-general who has been serving as Chief of Army since 2022. Prior to his appointment as Chief of Army,he was serving as Deputy Secretary (Technology) at the Ministry of Defence. Neo is the first Commando to serve as Chief of Army.
Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan is a Bruneian military officer whom currently holds the position as the 12th Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) since 2022. He previously held the position of the 11th Commander of the Royal Brunei Land Forces (RBLF) from 2020 to 2022.
