Interesting look at the SAF by the Hindustan Times
-
Singhs a roaring success in Singapore army
Rahul Singh
New Delhi, December 1, 2006
General JJ Singh became the mascot of the Sikh community when he took over the reins of the army last year. And now the Singhs are roaring out loud in Lion City, Singapore, making their presence felt in the island-nation's Armed Forces (SAF).
Ravinder Singh has become the first Sikh to rise to the rank of brigadier general and assume the command of a frontline formation - the 6th Singapore Division. This is one of the SAF's three Combined Arms Division that has elements of infantry, armour, artillery, combat engineers, signals and air defence artillery.
SAF's web publication cyberpioneer quotes Ravinder Singh as saying, "Having enjoyed the challenges my career has given me, this promotion is really the icing on the cake. Work hard, do your best, and the SAF will definitely reward you accordingly - with challenging duties and ample recognition."
The SAF has a career military force of about 20,000, supplemented by 30,000 personnel on active national service and almost three lakh reservists. The ethnicity in Singapore's population is sufficiently reflected in the armed forces, which account for almost 8-10 per cent soldiers of Indian origin.
Singh's leap into prominence only re-emphasises the contribution these soldiers have made to the SAF. Singapore's first defence adviser in India, Colonel Perdit Kumar Tiwari, is also of Indian origin.
The genius of a battery of officers who trace their roots to India is shining brightly in the SAF. Lieutenant Colonel Deep Singh, for instance, served as Singapore's first military consultant to the United Nations.
In 2003, Lieutenant Colonel Sukhvinder Singh Chopra led an SAF contingent to the Middle East, as part of Singapore's contribution to multinational reconstruction effort in Iraq. More recently, Lieutenant Colonel Jaspal Singh Sidhu was the 'Mother Goose' responsible for controlling the fighter aircraft display at the National Day Parade 2006.
It's evident that ethnic background does not matter in the SAF - there are equal opportunities for the Chinese, Malays and Indians.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/5967_1857332,001600060004.htm -
sorry if i'm being rude or insensitive,
but i wonder if the same can be said of other minorites...
on a side note,
the singhs have it good i agree... and having met Bri Gen Ravi before, he does make his mark as an outstanding officer. -
OH ME GAWD!!!
Ravinder Singh... awesome guy. a very people's person.
-
The Hindustan Times is a North Indian newspaper, of course they will naturally focus on the Sikhs.Originally posted by sir sickolot II:sorry if i'm being rude or insensitive,
but i wonder if the same can be said of other minorites...
on a side note,
the singhs have it good i agree... and having met Bri Gen Ravi before, he does make his mark as an outstanding officer.
There is no element of discrimination here, and we should just treat this news as something positive.
-
i don't know. the title and 1st paragraph of the article sounds very weird. i don't know what to say.
-
not that u mentioned it
-
Col Sukh Singh has the utmost calibre of being promoted.. Even to chief level.. unfortunately, the fact that he's a red beret seems to hinder that opportunity.. Col Sukh Singh has one of the most deepest and interesting mind i ever come across with... i'm sure those under him agree with me
-
lol wad exactly do u do in the army sia Master?Originally posted by Master -_-:Col Sukh Singh has the utmost calibre of being promoted.. Even to chief level.. unfortunately, the fact that he's a red beret seems to hinder that opportunity.. Col Sukh Singh has one of the most deepest and interesting mind i ever come across with... i'm sure those under him agree with me -
If i have to tell you, you have to be silenced
-
kill me then. i know your vocation, what u do, your rank and the number of badges u have.Originally posted by Master -_-:If i have to tell you, you have to be silenced -
Agreed, my interaction with him and his partner-in-crime Col Andre has been very simulating. Although if you speak to anyone who served under him during his pre-SAFTI days, they may have a different opinion! (i.e. super garang, too siao-on, etc. etc.)Originally posted by Master -_-:Col Sukh Singh has the utmost calibre of being promoted.. Even to chief level.. unfortunately, the fact that he's a red beret seems to hinder that opportunity.. Col Sukh Singh has one of the most deepest and interesting mind i ever come across with... i'm sure those under him agree with me