Information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore_Infantry_Regiment
The Singapore Infantry Regiment is the main
formation of the Singapore Army. It consists of eight full-time
battalions and a number of National Service (NS), or Reservist
battalions.
The 1st Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (1 SIR) was
formed in March 12, 1957 against the backdrop of self-government
for Singapore. Recruitment began on 4 March 1957
with only Singapore citizens and persons born and bred in Singapore
were recruited. Out of a total of 1,420 applicants, 237 were
initially accepted for training. It was intended that 1 SIR
together with another battalion would form part of a regiment
within a brigade group in the Singapore Military Forces.
Self-government for Singapore in 1959 gave 1 SIR the opportunity
to mount the Istana Guards in place of the Gurkhas, while the battalion was
presented with Queen's and
Regimental Colours in 1961. The following year, the 2nd
Battalion was raised.
For two years between 1963 and 1965, Singapore was part of
Malaysia, and the regiment was renamed the
Malaysian Infantry Regiment. Both battalions saw
service in the Confrontation, with 1 SIR posted to
Sebatik Island in Sabah and 2 SIR to Labis, Johor. On Singapore's independence
in 1965, the regiment regained its former name. In 1967 two more
battalions, the 3rd and 4th, were raised as part of the move
towards National
Service. 1 SIR and 2 SIR were also converted to NS battalions.
Four further battalions were raised over the next few years,
although 7 SIR and the older 8 SIR were eventually re-roled to
become the 3rd and 2nd Battalions, Singapore Guards.
Currently, there are eight active battalions, each of which is
assigned to an infantry brigade in one of the army's three Combined Arms Divisions
except 9 & the newer 8 SIR, which is assigned to 2 People's Defence Force.
This is alongside two per brigade of NS battalions. Besides
training for their conventional warfare role, different infantry
battalions specialised in their unique role. This arrangement which
may change according to operating environment also allows MINDEF to
try out new tactics and equipment. E,g: 3 SIR specialised in Urban
operations. 9 SIR specialised in POI (Protection of Installations)
for civilian key installations. 8 SIR specialised in POI for SAF
key installations. As of May 2011, 2 SIR has been converted into a
motorised infantry battalion in the effort to shift towards a 3rd
Generation SAF.[4] The plan is
to convert 3 conventional infantry battalions to motorised infantry
that is 1 per Combined Arms Divisions.