The Singapore Armed Forces Volunteer Corps (SAFVC) is a uniformed volunteer auxiliary branch of the Singapore Armed Forces. It was established on 13 October 2014 to allow Singaporean women, first generation permanent residents and naturalised citizens, all of whom would otherwise not be subject to an obligation to serve national service, to contribute their part towards Singapore's defence.[2][3] It also aims to strengthen support for national service by understanding the duties of national servicemen.
It is distinct from SAF Volunteers or the ROVERS (Reservist On Voluntary Extended Reserve Service) schemes that consist of former NSmen or regulars who continue to serve beyond the statutory age.[4]
The SAFVC Headquarters is based at Maju Camp in Clementi, where all basic volunteer training are also conducted.
The Singapore Volunteer Rifle Corps, a private organisation, was formed after the 1854 Hokkien-Teochew riots that occurred between the respective Chinese secret societies from 5 to 17 May that year. The conflict caused widespread unrest and loss of life on the island, and was severe enough for the police to require the support of the military, some marines, special constables, sepoys and even convicts to restore order. More than 500 people were killed and 300 houses burned down. Its numbers eventually dwindled to a small half-company, and the corps was disbanded in December 1887.[5]
In February 1888, the corps was revived as the Singapore Volunteer Artillery Corps (SVA). It was the first unit in the British Empire, regular or auxiliary, to field the Maxim Gun. The guns arrived in 1889 and were funded by donations from the Sultan of Johor, members of the various communities in Singapore and prominent businessmen.
In 1901, the SVA was renamed the Singapore Volunteer Corps (SVC), due to its diverse sub-units. It comprised artillery, infantry, engineers and rifle sections. During World War I, the SVC helped to quell the Sepoy Mutiny of 1915, which resulted in the deaths of 11 volunteers.
In 1922, the SVC was amalgamated with the Penang and Province Wellesley Volunteer Corps, Malacca Volunteer Corps, and Labuan Volunteer Defence Detachment to form the Straits Settlements Volunteer Force (SSVF). In 1928, the SSVF infantry was re-organised into 4 battalions. The 1st and 2nd battalions consisted of members of the Singapore Volunteer Corps (1,250 men). Besides the infantry, the rest of the SSVF consisted of the Singapore Royal Artillery (SRA), Singapore Royal Engineers, Singapore Armoured Car Company and 3 ambulance units. The Corps was involved in the defence of Singapore during the Second World War. As international tensions heightened during the 1930s, an increasing number of men of the various nationalities in the Settlements — predominantly European, Malay, Chinese, Indian and Eurasian — joined the SSVF. It included naval, air force, special operations, irregular units, and home guard units.
On 25 December 1941, Lieutenant Colonel John Dalley created Dalforce, also known as the Singapore Overseas Chinese Anti-Japanese Volunteer Army as an irregular forces/guerrilla unit within the SSVF during World War II. Its members were recruited among the ethnic Chinese people of Singapore, and their ferocious fighting earned them the nickname Dalley's Desperadoes. By the time the Japanese invaded, Dalforce numbered 4,000 resistance fighters.[6]
The SSVF — including four infantry battalions — took part in the Battle of Singapore in 1942, and most of its members were captured on 15 February 1942 when their positions were overrun. The end of the Japanese Occupation saw the SVC being revived in 1949.
In 1954, the SSVF was disbanded and the Singapore Volunteer Force was absorbed into the Singapore Military Forces (SMF) formed the year before. The SVF assisted in defence during the Malayan Emergency, and, at the height of the Indonesian Confrontation, was deployed to protect vital installations in Singapore and southern Johor against saboteurs. In 1961, SMF was renamed the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), and in 1963 the Forces at large were integrated into the Malaysian Armed Forces until 1965, when Singapore became independent, and the volunteers were affiliated to the Rejimen Askar Wataniah.
With the passing of the People's Defence Force Act in 1965, the SVF became a component of the People's Defence Force (PDF) and its units were absorbed into the SAF as full-time National Service operational battalions to supplement the regular army.[7] A a volunteer force was considered as the fastest way for the nation to build up a credible defence force before the conscription-based national service was introduced in March 1967.[8] Many volunteer officers were also transferred to the regular army. The volunteers continued to play a role in national security, which included the training of part-time National Servicemen when National Service was introduced in 1967, whilst the PDF also reduced the need to raise and maintain a large army on a permanent basis.[9] With the introduction of compulsory full-time national service, growth of NS and the SAF, the number of volunteers declined and dwindled, and the last volunteer battalion, 101st PDF Battalion, held its final parade in 1984 and was disbanded in March 1984.[10][11] The reservists branch of the PDF, however, continued to exist and was split into 1 PDF Command and 2 PDF Command on 1 April 1985.[12] On 6 December 2004, 1 PDF Command was drawn down and its units transferred to the Combined Arms Division to enhance its operational capability.[13] On the other hand, the capability of 2 PDF was enhanced over the years. Today, it plays a key role in protecting key installations and in coordinating military resources to assist other agencies during civil emergencies.[14]
By 1967, as national service was being introduced, the first Prime Minister of SingaporeLee Kuan Yew had, in fact, wanted women to serve NS like their male counterparts. He once said, "I was keen to have our women do national service as Israeli women did, because that would reinforce the people’s will to defend themselves. But Goh Keng Swee did not want his then new ministry to carry this extra burden. As the other ministers in Defco (Defence Council) were also not anxious to draft our women, I did not press my point."[15] To make up for that the PDF had a women's component, all volunteers.
Formation of the SAFVC
The initial target for its first cohort of volunteers was 150. However, its first cohort saw more than a thousand applicants, and the inaugural 2015 cohort consisted of 226 volunteers.[16][17]
Among the female volunteers, a notable number of them are of young age, some also pursuing tertiary education. Across all three intakes of the pioneering batch, slightly more than half (51 per cent) are Singapore citizens, while PRs make up the rest. Four in 10 are women and those aged between 30 and 40 make up a slight majority. One in three are aged below 30, and one in 10 volunteers are above 40.[17]
As of 2020, it's reported that the SAFVC has 900 soldiers.[18]
Logo
The SAFVC logo pays homage to the 160-year history of volunteer military service in Singapore. It incorporates elements from the original SVC coat of arms, such as the circular shield, banner and laurel which together with the lion, portray power and courage. Its statant posture with its head facing forward and tail curved over its back, symbolises steadfastness and vigilance.
The outline of Singapore above the lion symbolises the country as a proud and independent state that relies on her people for defence.
The gold of the logo, being the colour of the brass ammunition, signifies the martial nature of the SAFVC. This, together with the deep blue background, symbolises the common foundation of the SAFVC and the SAF.
Singaporean women, first-generation PR or new citizen
Between the ages of 18 and 45 years old
No National Service liability
Physically and medically fit and active
Selection
The selection process involves an interview by SAF panel members followed by medical examination. The SAFVC interviews applicants and conducts background checks to assess their suitability and security clearance. Due to it being in its infancy stage and also the issue of national security being a concern, acceptance is stringent.
Training
The SAFVC volunteers (SV) will undergo a two-week basic military induction course to be educated on basic military skills and values which is part of a four phase progressive training program in the SAFVC. Each phase is designed to develop the SVs, maintain their competencies, and deploy them in meaningful roles throughout their service.
SVs will complete their Basic Training (consisting of a continuous 2-week stay in camp or modular on weekends for 10 weeks), Qualification Training (one week), and where applicable, Advanced Training (one week). The Basic Training encompass aerobic and strength training, marching/foot drills, regimental discipline, technical handling of the SAR 21, Individual Marksmanship Training (IMT), live firing / Basic Trainfire Package (BTP), first aid training (CPR and AED), Individual Field Craft (IFC), Urban Ops (UO) / Close Quarter Battle (CQB), route march, Standard Obstacle Course (SOC), Battle Inoculation Course (BIC), Individual Physical Proficiency Familiarisation. After completion of training, SVs will be adequately prepared for their various roles and will be deployed to perform basic tasks under the close supervision of experienced commanders. This will build basic job proficiencies.[20] New enlistees begin as SV (Trainees), and will be promoted to SV1 as well as being issued a dark blue beret just like other combat support units upon completion of their Qualification Training together. Subsequent promotions are dependent on years of service, as well as conduct and performance.[10]
Perform Phase (3 Years)
SVs may be deployed to perform more challenging roles, with less supervision. Currency and skills training will keep SVs engaged, as well as improve their skills.
Lead Phase (4 Years)
Leadership modules will be introduced to equip selected SVs with the skills to take on leadership roles within SAFVC.
Mentor Phase
Senior SVs, with more than 10 years of experience, may take up mentor or trainer roles within the SAFVC.
Roles and service
The following vocations are available in the SAFVC as of 2021:[21]
Medical Trainers - Doctors, Dentist, Medical Technologists, Nurse, Radiographer
Psychology - Defence Psychologist
Roles, such as those in engineering, medicine or law, require prior work experience, while others like the AST, InfoMedia Staff and Bridge Watchkeeper are open to all.
67 per cent, of the volunteers in the first intake will be trained as security troopers, guarding key installations across Singapore alongside active servicemen and reservists. The rest will serve in specialised roles. Volunteers serving as information and media staff make up the second-largest group (13 per cent), while a handful of volunteers will become medical trainers, maritime trainers, defence psychologists, bridge watchkeepers and deck operators. A small group, or 2 per cent, will serve as experts of command, control, communications and computers (C4).[17]
As of July 2018, SAFVC has offered more roles and services are on offer.[22]
Volunteers are typically called up to serve up to fourteen days per annum, alongside servicemen and women from the Army, Navy and Air Force, donning the SAFVC formation patch on their respective green, grey or blue uniforms.[10]
Ranks
A distinctive rank structure was created for the SAFVC Volunteers (SVs) since their voluntary contribution are distinct from those mandatory of regulars and national servicemen. It is also to discretise them from SAF Volunteers, former NSmen who continue to service past the statutory age.[10]
The SAFVC ranks comprise five tiers, enumerated by winged chevrons.
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, 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.
Commandos is the special forces formation of the Singapore Army responsible for conducting special operations. Commandos are tasked with infiltrating behind enemy lines by raiding and reconnaissance operations using airborne raids, helicopter assault and sea landings. The formation is made up of only one battalion, the 1st Commando Battalion, and is based in Hendon Camp.
The Naval Diving Unit (NDU), also referred to as the Naval Divers, is the special forces formation of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) responsible for conducting special operations from sea, air, and land. The formation is made up of six squadrons, specialising in explosive ordnance disposal, underwater demolition, maritime security operations, and combatant craft operations.
A reservist is a person who is a member of a military reserve force. They are otherwise civilians, and in peacetime have careers outside the military. Reservists usually go for training on an annual basis to refresh their skills. This person is usually a former active-duty member of the armed forces, and they remain a reservist either voluntarily, or by obligation. In some countries such as Israel, Norway, Finland, Singapore, and Switzerland, reservists are conscripted soldiers who are called up for training and service when necessary.
The Specialist Cadet School is the military training centre for the Singapore Armed Forces' specialists, the equivalent of non-commissioned officers (NCOs) in other countries' armed forces. Made up of twelve companies divided into three schools, it is located in Pasir Laba Camp in the Western Water Catchment.
Singapore maintains an active conscription system in accordance with the regulations set by the Government of Singapore, known as National Service (NS). This requires all qualified male Singaporean citizens and second-generation permanent residents to serve a period of active duty military service in the uniformed services.
The Singapore Volunteer Corps or the Singapore Special Constabulary, was a militia unit established in 1854 as the Singapore Volunteer Rifle Corps. The Corps underwent several reorganisations and was known by various names throughout its history. It was renamed the People's Defence Force, the predecessor of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) in 1965.
The Royal Brunei Land Force (RBLF), natively known as Tentera Darat Diraja Brunei (TDDB) is the land component of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) or Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei (ABDB). The RBLF has responsibility for maintaining the territorial defence of Brunei Darussalam, both from attack from outsiders, and by assisting the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) in maintaining law and order. The annual anniversary ceremony of RBLF's inception was place on 4 November every year.
The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has five rank schemes for active and reservist personnel, with a sixth for the auxiliaries of the SAF Volunteer Corps. The SAF has a unique rank structure as an integrated force, ranks are the same in the Singapore Army, the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), and the Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS).
Singapore has had an history of armed conflict and personnel dating to the colonial period.
The Straits Settlements Volunteer Force (SSVF) was a military reserve force in the Straits Settlements, while they were under British rule. While the majority of the personnel were from Singapore, some lived in other parts of the Settlements, including Penang, Province Wellesley, Malacca and Labuan.
The Special Operations Task Force is a special operations command of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) responsible for conducting special operations. The SOTF is composed of only highly-trained regular servicemen from the Army's Special Operations Force (SOF) under the Commandos formation and, the Navy's Special Warfare Group (SWG) under the Naval Diving Unit (NDU).
The Artillery is a formation of the Singapore Army, comprising four active battalions—the 20th, 21st, 23rd and 24th Battalions—and an undisclosed number of reservist battalions. The primary role of the Artillery formation is to deliver timely, accurate and effective fire in support of the manoeuvre force to accomplish missions. As an indirect fire support system, the gunners rely on the forward observer and target acquisition elements to provide the target's location, which is then passed to the command post to direct the gunners to fire.
The SAF Scholarship, formerly known as the SAF Overseas Scholarship (SAFOS), is a scholarship conferred by the Public Service Commission (PSC). The scholarship is second in prestige to the President's Scholarship.
The Singapore Armed Forces Medical Corps is the medical corps of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) that provides medical services to the Army, Navy and Air Force. The Medical Corps establishes policies and directs the full implementation of quality force health, medical force protection, operational support, medical information technology, medical manpower and logistics, as well as its medical inspectorate within the Singapore Armed Forces.
The Army Deployment Force (ADF) is a rapid deployment unit of the Singapore Army responsible for conducting counter-terrorism and expeditionary operations. It consists of only regular servicemen, primarily from the Guards formation. The ADF was established in 2016, in response to modernised terrorist attacks such as the November 2015 Paris attacks.
The SAF Day Parade is an annual military parade and ceremony of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) held on 1 July in commemoration of the founding of the SAF. It is the second military parade in seniority to be held in Singapore next to the Singapore National Day Parade on 9 August. It is usually held at the SAFTI Military Institute in Jurong West, with the presence of the president of Singapore. Salutes are also taken by the prime minister of Singapore, and the chief of Defence Force.
Maintenance and Engineering Support is the formation of the Singapore Army responsible for military engineering maintenance. It provides maintenance and engineering support to the Army by ensuring high operational equipment readiness for the Army and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) at sustainable budget and manpower resources. It also train technicians and operator-maintainers (OMers) to perform field repairs in military exercises and training.
↑ Makepeace, Brooke & Braddell, 1991, Vol. 2, pp. 606–607; Blythe, W. (1969). The impact of Chinese secret societies in Malaya: A historical study (pp. 75–79). London: Oxford University Press. Call no.: RSEA 366.09595 BLY; Winsley, 1938, p. 2.
↑ "Dalforce at the Fall of Singapore in 1942: An Overseas Chinese Heroic Legend"
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