Singapore Armed Forces Commando Formation
| Singapore Armed Forces Commando Formation | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1 December 1969 – present |
| Country |
 Singapore
|
| Branch |
 Singapore Army
|
| Type | Commando |
| Role |
Airborne operations Unconventional warfare Counter-insurgency Counter-terrorism |
| Size | 1 battalion |
| Part of | Singapore Army |
| Garrison/HQ | Hendon Camp |
| Motto(s) | For Honour and Glory |
| Engagements | Operation Thunderbolt |
| Commanders | |
| Chief Commando Officer | Colonel Nicholas Ang |
| Notable commanders |
Clarence Tan |
The Singapore Armed Forces Commando Formation (CDO FN, Chinese: 新加坡武装部队特攻部队) is a commando formation of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). It is made up of only one battalion, the 1st Commando Battalion (1 CDO). An offensive unit, it specialises in pre-emptive operations involving small groups of specially-trained soldiers in enemy territory. Designed to be executed quickly in anticipation of a reaction by the enemy, these operations are normally short-term and intensive due to a lack of service support in hostile environments.
The commandos are entrusted with two important roles: strike missions and reconnaissance missions. Strike missions may involve direct combat with enemy forces and the destruction of specific enemy targets. Reconnaissance missions are conducted by smaller groups of commandos, who may need to camp for long periods of time to survey targets in enemy territory.
The CDO FN's creation began in 1967 when two officers, Major (MAJ) Clarence Tan and MAJ James Chia, were tasked with recruiting eligible candidates from any unit in the SAF to form an elite unit. The SAF Regular Battalion was formed on 1 December 1969 and was directly under the command of Singapore's Ministry of Defence (MINDEF). Captain (CPT) Tham Chee Onn was selected to be the acting-Commanding Officer (CO) for the unit, which comprised 20 men, and was assisted by nine other officers. MAJ Clarence Tan subsequently joined the unit as its CO and was responsible for establishing its training programme. A second recruitment drive was launched in early 1970 with the aim of increasing the number of officers in the unit. The unit was renamed "Singapore Armed Forces Commando Unit" in early 1971 and its red berets were introduced on 3 May 1971. On 16 July, the unit was renamed "1st Commando Battalion" (1 CDO BN) and moved from Pasir Laba Camp to Changi Camp. It had one company fully composed of regular soldiers.
In 1972, the MINDEF decided to allow full-time national servicemen (NSFs) to join the unit. The first NSF batch of commandos formed a second company on 15 January 1973 with CPT Gwee Peng Hong as its Officer Commanding (OC) and Second Warrant Officer (2WO) Khiong Kian Khoon as its Company Sergeant Major (CSM). From July 1973 to January 1975, the third, fourth and fifth companies were formed and were respectively led by CPT Boon Hon Lin, CPT Lim Siang Tong and Lieutenant (LTA) Dominic Teo. A sixth company was formed with 2005, with CPT Arnold Low as its OC and 2WO Kasinathan as its CSM.
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