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Long march to glory: From young men to commandos

Revamped 72km march at end of nine-month training sees young men become commandos

Find out what it takes to be a Singapore Armed Forces elite soldier as a group of commando trainees take on their last exercise – a 72km march with combat-oriented tasks in between – before getting their red berets.
Above: A "casualty" being evacuated to a safe area following a simulated raid. Below: For the most part, the trainees march on little-used roads away from the public eye, but at times they cross roads such as this one in Loyang Avenue. Below right: W
Commando trainees marching on the perimeter of Pasir Ris Camp during X72. By the end of the three-day exercise, they would have marched in excess of 72km and carried out several missions. ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
Above: A "casualty" being evacuated to a safe area following a simulated raid. Below: For the most part, the trainees march on little-used roads away from the public eye, but at times they cross roads such as this one in Loyang Avenue. Below right: W
To simulate crossing a body of water, trainees don life jackets and pull themselves across a swimming pool using a rope. ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
Above: Commando trainees marching on the perimeter of Pasir Ris Camp during X72. By the end of the three-day exercise, they would have marched in excess of 72km and carried out several missions. Left: To simulate crossing a body of water, trainees do
Trainees rappelling down a five-storey tower as part of the exercise. ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
Above: A "casualty" being evacuated to a safe area following a simulated raid. Below: For the most part, the trainees march on little-used roads away from the public eye, but at times they cross roads such as this one in Loyang Avenue. Below right: W
Trainees from Fourth Company ready for a water parade at the start of the exercise at the command of Second Warrant Officer Ross Li. ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
Above: A "casualty" being evacuated to a safe area following a simulated raid. Below: For the most part, the trainees march on little-used roads away from the public eye, but at times they cross roads such as this one in Loyang Avenue. Below right: W
The moment the trainees have been waiting for – donning their hard-earned crimson red berets. ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
Above: A "casualty" being evacuated to a safe area following a simulated raid. Below: For the most part, the trainees march on little-used roads away from the public eye, but at times they cross roads such as this one in Loyang Avenue. Below right: W
Trainees carrying out a raid on a simulated enemy facility. ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
Above: A "casualty" being evacuated to a safe area following a simulated raid. Below: For the most part, the trainees march on little-used roads away from the public eye, but at times they cross roads such as this one in Loyang Avenue. Below right: W
A trainee with his general purpose machine gun during the march. ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
Above: A "casualty" being evacuated to a safe area following a simulated raid. Below: For the most part, the trainees march on little-used roads away from the public eye, but at times they cross roads such as this one in Loyang Avenue. Below right: W
A “casualty” being evacuated to a safe area following a simulated raid. ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
Above: A "casualty" being evacuated to a safe area following a simulated raid. Below: For the most part, the trainees march on little-used roads away from the public eye, but at times they cross roads such as this one in Loyang Avenue. Below right: W
The new fully fledged members of Singapore’s elite army unit. ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
Above: A "casualty" being evacuated to a safe area following a simulated raid. Below: For the most part, the trainees march on little-used roads away from the public eye, but at times they cross roads such as this one in Loyang Avenue. Below right: W
For the most part, the trainees march on little-used roads away from the public eye, but at times they cross roads such as this one in Loyang Avenue. ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
Above: A "casualty" being evacuated to a safe area following a simulated raid. Below: For the most part, the trainees march on little-used roads away from the public eye, but at times they cross roads such as this one in Loyang Avenue. Below right: W
With just four hours of rest over three days of the exercise, every break is an opportunity for some shut-eye for the trainees. ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
Alphonsus Chern Executive Photojournalist
Updated
Dec 02, 2019, 08:41 AM
Published
Dec 02, 2019, 05:00 AM
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It is six o'clock on a Monday evening at Hendon Camp in Loyang, home of the Singapore Armed Forces commandos.

The air feels thick and the parade square glistens after a downpour.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on December 02, 2019, with the headline Long march to glory: From young men to commandos. Subscribe

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