Hi, I'm from Vancouver, and I've been in the Canadian army
reserve for just over two years. For the past 6 months I've been
training for Afghanistan. I've been seriously considering working
in Singapore for a few years when I get back from Afghanistan. I
don't know what kind of civilian work I'd like to do. However
apparantly there is a sort of commonwealth 'posting' in which I can
train in any commonwealth country just like I do at home, but in
Singapore. So if this is a possibility I would like to do this on
the side along with whatever civilian job I would get there. So I
have come here to ask a few questions if anyone would be nice
enough to answer :)
How does the reserve (or, 'part time') army work in Singapore?
Or is there one? In Canada it is simply one weeknight every week,
and one weekend every month for training in the field or on the
shooting range, etc. And you can volunteer for longer periods of
training or employment which I have done in order to go to
Afghanistan.
And lastly, what are the names and locations of the reserve
infantry regiments/armouries in Singapore and what is their
training schedule? I have tried google searching but it is rather
hard because at first glance it seems the Singapore army has a very
different structure than that of Canada's.
If someone could answer my questions it would be greatly
appreciated!
Thanks,
- Swanny
The Singapore Ministry of Defense has offered places to foreign
military to send their suitable candidates to the Officer
Cadet Coure and the Staff and Command Course for Senior Officers,
both courses conducted by the Singapore Armed Forces
Training Institute.
The Officer Cadet Course has seen participants from the Brunei
military, the Philippines, and also from Thailand; while the Staff
and Command Courses have seen participants from the armed forces of
Austrlia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New
Zealand, Philippines, UK and the USA.
The courses last for a period of approximately 8 to 12
months.
Additionally, the SAF conduct bilateral exercises with the
Indonesian Military, the US Marines, the US Navy, and also
with Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, and UK.
Then again, these exercises are for short term of a few weeks
only.
Contrary to some remarks from participants, the Commonwealth
remains relevant to Singapore for political and
economic reasons that are essential for a small
country like Singapore.
The "Five Power Defense Arrangement" consist of Australia,
Malaysia, New Zealand, UK and Singapore - all of which are members
of the Commonwealth.
Although we have not seen the kind of attachments of foreign
soldiers of Other Ranks attached to the SAF in the manner that is
similar to your interests, Singapore has received the
attachment of Senior Military Commissioned Officers from the
British Army and Israeli Defense Force - acting as consultants and
advisers - in the early days of the SAF development during the
1960s through mid-1970s.
In any case, your interest to be attached to the SAF could be
channelled through your Unit Commander, who can approach the
Canadian Defense Ministry, who in turn can liase with the Singapore
Defense Ministry to co-ordinate such arrangements.