After a gap of two years, the coveted Best Combat Unit award is back with the Red Berets.
Led by their commanding officer, Major Chiang Hock Woon, the men from the 1st Commando Battalion out-jumped, out-scored and out-performed other army units to win the award -- for a record 15th time.
Three awards are offered every year to the best unit in the army, navy and air force.
The navy prize, the Best Ship award, went to missile corvette RSS Victory.
And the Best Fighter Squadron award was won by the air force's 140 Squadron, which operates F-16 jet fighters.
The friendly competitions were organised by the Singapore Armed Forces to enhance the various units' combat skills and their logistic effectiveness, for instance.
The units were assessed on their marksmanship, security, training safety and physical fitness.
Speaking to reporters yesterday, Major Chiang said the secret behind the success of the Red Berets was in cultivating a desire to win among the men.
The role of the 1st Commando Battalion, he said, is to mount special operations, and the commandos must have a high standard of proficiency in whatever they do.
They have the capability to go into enemy territory through airborne and amphibious means.
He added: "They have to understand that they are the best in the SAF. And so, during their missions, we stress that they must set an example for all the other soldiers in the SAF.
(taken from The Straits Times, 26/6/99)