Guardsman Warrior: Proudly Wearing The Guards Tab
-
Guardsmen are proud of their esprit de corps and fighting capabilities. Adopting the motto "Ready to Strike", they operate on the principles of lightning fast speed to capture objectives or intercept enemy incursions into Singapore.
To understand the Guards Specialist vocation better, Army News spoke to SSG Ow Boon Hong who is currently an Operations Warrant Officer in 7 Singapore Infantry Brigade.
What is the job scope of a Guards Specialist?
Basically a Guards Specialist handles operations in three dimensions – namely in air, land and sea. For example, we heli-rappel, patrol on Light Strike Vehicles and conduct coastal operations.
What training does a Guards Specialist undergo?
All Guards Specialists undergo a five-week Guards Conversion Course (GCC). Besides the intense physical training including a coastal swim test, a Guards Specialist will learn skills specific to the Guards formation in the course. Some of these skills include weapons proficiency, heli-rappelling and jungle survival.
Guards form the frontline troops. What mental preparation is needed to assume this role?
I think the important thing is the attitude that our Guardsmen have. We know that we are prepared and that we will be able to deliver results. This gives us the confidence to carry out our operations.
And the Guards training is conducted in small groups; this builds up the cohesiveness between the Guardsmen. This is how we become a closely knitted family where the commanders and the men share a quality relationship. There is mutual respect and everyone supports one another.
What makes a good Guards Specialist?
We like to use the word ‘Guards’ as an acronym for the values that a Guardsman is known for. The values are ‘Gungho’, ‘United’, ‘Always ready’, ‘Respected’, ‘Determined’ and ‘Strong’. These are the qualities that make a good Guards Specialist.
Guardsmen proudly wear their Guards Tab on their shoulders. What makes a Guards Specialist proud? When our Guardsmen graduate from the GCC, there is this huge sense of accomplishment. We know that we have gone through rigorous training and we know that we are now part of the elite. So when we put on our distinctive khaki beret and the Guards tab, we feel a certain pride.
You have been in Guards for close to 20 years. How is Guards changing from here?
Guards are moving towards ‘Empowerment To Specialists’ with Warrant Officers and Specialists taking on more roles. Like, during certain activities, the Company Sergeant Majors can be the Conducting Officers. This is part of the Warrant Officers, Specialists and Enlistees (WOSES) Training Roadmap that is internal to Guards. -
guardsmen here. Ist guards 9th mono
-
come here to find your fellow guardsmen in this forum!Originally posted by Delete4Ever:guardsmen here. Ist guards 9th mono 
-
mi Guards trained but not from Guards unit.. haha...
-
Aaaaaaaaaaaarg, i wanted to sign on guards~
-
sign lor...Originally posted by kopiosatu:Aaaaaaaaaaaarg, i wanted to sign on guards~ -
cannot. i'm in another service already. and i've become, an AIR CON SOLDIEROriginally posted by I-like-flings(m):sign lor...
-
u sure or not?? u in there for ns or regular?? if regular then blame yourself lor.. if ns.. then still can sign on one lah.. just whether they one u or not lor...Originally posted by kopiosatu:cannot. i'm in another service already. and i've become, an AIR CON SOLDIER -
i dun think blaming is a neccesity...Originally posted by I-like-flings(m):u sure or not?? u in there for ns or regular?? if regular then blame yourself lor.. if ns.. then still can sign on one lah.. just whether they one u or not lor...