The Singapore Guards is an elite regiment of the Singapore Army.

History

The regiment was initially formed in 1975 as the 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade, with a total personnel strength of four officers and five Other Ranks. In early 1976, the Brigade took control of the 7th and 8th Battalions of the Singapore Infantry Regiment and the Infantry Training Depot, being declared operational in July. At this time, the ITD was replaced by the Singapore Armed Forces Guard Unit.

In 1977, it was decided to make 7SIB into an elite formation; the SAFGU was renamed as the 1st Battalion, Singapore Guards. A year later, 8SIR became the 2nd Battalion. With the award of elite status, 7SIR was transferred to the 3rd Infantry Brigade in 1978, leaving 7SIB consisting of:

• 1st Bn, Singapore Guards
• 2nd Bn, Singapore Guards
• 1st Commando Battalion
• 10th Commando Battalion
• School of Commando Training

This make-up lasted until 1980, when it was decided to make 7SIB into an all guards formation. The commando units were transferred out, and 7SIR returned, being renamed 3rd Battalion, Singapore Guards. The three battalions recieved their first Colours in 1983.

Role

Within the Singapore infantry, the Guards are the airborne troops. They are trained to be inserted and extracted from the combat zone by helicopter - they can do this either by the helicopter landing, or by "rapelling" (descending by rope while the helicopter hovers).