Hesitant at first, young commando in accolade-winning unit has ‘grown as a person’

SINGAPORE — When commando trooper Corporal First Class (CFC) Tan Yi Wei, 19, of the army’s formidable 1st Commando Battalion (1st Cdo Bn) was first assigned to be a commando in pursuit of the coveted red beret, his parents were worried.

The full-time national serviceman recalled that his mother, in particular, “wasn’t ready, she wasn’t too keen on me going to the commandos”.

But close to 18 months after he enlisted in January 2018, his parents could not be prouder — especially now that he and his fellow commandos have maintained 1st Cdo Bn’s distinguished record with another prestigious accolade.

It is the 16th straight year that 1st Cdo Bn has clinched the Best Combat Unit in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Best Unit Competition.

Introduced in 1969, the annual competition was established to recognise the skills and excellence exemplified by the various units. Over that period, 1st Cdo Bn has won Best Combat Unit 33 times. The latest accolades were unveiled on Monday (June 24).

“I think just like all the parents of my friends here, I think they are proud, definitely, especially the day where I got on my red beret,” CFC Tan said at a media event held last week.

When asked what gave his mother peace of mind, CFC Tan said: “I couldn’t do it in words, so I think the best way I could show her was to go back home safely and healthily, every week, every weekend.”

Trained to operate deep in enemy territory, the SAF Commandos’ very demanding training programme aims to cultivate skills that allow them to undertake specialised missions such as airborne operations, reconnaissance and raid missions.

In an interview with reporters, Major Fabian Pwi, the Commanding Officer (CO) of 1 Cdo Bn, said that what made the unit stand out was their “thirst for excellence”.

He said: “I see it for myself — my soldiers, after much of the preparation has been done, out of their own time and own initiative, they continue to rehearse and remember, they continue to talk through their coordinations with their buddies and commanders.

“Because they want the mission, or at least their part of the mission, to be perfect. So it is this kind of attitude that I think most commandos will associate themselves with.”

CFC Tan acknowledges that he was a little hesitant about joining the Commandos at first, but he quickly recognised the privileged opportunity he had been given and resolved to try his best.

1st Commando Battalion has been awarded Best Combat Unit for the 16th straight year, and a total of 33 times in all. Photo: Najeer Yusof/ TODAY

Reflecting the sentiments of many others, he said that he has “grown as a person” through the experience.

He added that the process of training had developed in them “a positive mindset’’’.

“And I think that is something that I’ve learned to carry with me, this attitude throughout my NS (National Service) journey as well as when I enter university or my work life next time. This is something that I will always have with me.”

Out of all the rigorous components of the tough training that the commandos underwent, the treacherous 72km march that marked the end of their training was a defining moment for many. The march spans three days and two nights.

Third Sergeant (3SG) S Harshavarman, 20, said that tiredness got the better of him at the halfway mark — and the only thing going through his mind was: “I don’t think that I can make it.”

But he drew inspiration from looking at his fellow detachment mate and company mates as they pressed on in the same treacherous walk. He resolved: “If they can do it, so can I.”

For 3SG S Harshavarman, the sense of unity and looking out for each other in situations like these has taught him to be a better leader. It was through caring for the overall well-being of his detachment mates that he learnt the tenets of strong leadership.

“(Making) sure that they prepare the equipment properly, making sure that they are properly rested before they move on, ensuring their hydration... Being a better leader, I have to ensure all of these.”

This year’s Best Unit Competition also saw RSS Independence from the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) recognised as the Best Maritime Security Unit. Among other roles, it was deployed as part of security operations for the historic summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and United States President Donald Trump in June last year, the Ministry of Defence said in a media release.

The Republic of Singapore Air Force’s 142 Squadron (SQN), an operationally ready squadron, was recognised as the Best Fighter Squadron. “In recent times, the SQN has responded twice to alleged bomb threats aboard civil airlines,” the ministry said.

In total, 18 active units and 11 National Service units were recognised for their exemplary efforts.