History
The formation was initially formed on 1 January 1975 as the 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade (SIB), with a total personnel strength of four officers and five Other Ranks. The Brigade took command of the Infantry Training Depot (ITD) on 1 January 1976 and the 7th and 8th Battalions of the Singapore Infantry Regiment (SIR) on 9 February 1976. On 1 July 1976, the 7 SIB was officially declared operational. In view of its operational role, the ITD was removed from the Brigade and the Singapore Armed Forces Guards Unit (SAFGU) was added to the 2 remaining battalions.
On 1 July 1977, the SAFGU was renamed as the 1st Battalion, Singapore Guards. A year later on 1 April 1978, the 8 SIR became the 2nd Battalion, Singapore Guards. The 7 SIB was officially accorded Elite Status on 1 April 1978. With the award of elite status, the 7 SIR was transferred to the 3rd Singapore Infantry Brigade in 1978, leaving the 7 SIB with the following sub-units:
- 1st Guards Battalion
- 2nd Guards Battalion (Disbanded)
- 1st Commando Battalion
- 10th Commando Battalion (Disbanded)
- School of Commando Training
This make-up lasted until 1980, when it was decided to make the 7 SIB into an all guards formation. The Commando units were transferred out, and the 7 SIR returned to the 7 SIB. It was renamed as 3rd Battalion, Singapore Guards.
On 17 Dec 1991, the 7th Brigade Training School (7 BTS) came under the command of the 7 SIB. However, from Sept 1996, all Basic Military Training (BMT) were taken over by Basic Military Training Centre (BMTC), and the 7 BTS was closed down. 11 Oct 1994 marked the formalisation of Guards as the Guards Formation.
On 6 Apr 1979, a special parade was held to present the beret with a new Cap Badge Backing to the 7 SIB. The then Chief of General Staff (CGS), MG (NS) Winston Choo, explained that the backing was designed for the use of the Guardsmen as a symbol of elitism. The three battalions received their first Colours 11 Jun 1983. All Guardsmen wear a "Guards" Tab on their left shoulder sleeve. The "Guards" Tab was presented to the Guardsmen on 23 Jun 1989 as a form of recognition of their elite status. On 9 June 1994, the Khaki Beret was presented to the Guards Formation. While the infantry green beret was worn with the Cap Badge Backing previously, all Guardsmen have since donned their distinctive Guards Khaki Beret with a deep sense of pride.
Read more about this topic: Singapore Guards
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