Pride, Discipline and Honour: Our Military Police

At the National Day Parade, most, if not all of us, are given a specific and defined role. There are contingents who march for the parade, performers who bring their act on stage, journalists and photographers who handle the reporting, and the list goes on.

However, there is a unique group of personnel who juggle not just two, but multiple responsibilities at the Parade. Other than being mobilised for security operations, this group of personnel bear responsibilities as important ceremonial masters. In addition to these, they also form part of a staple item in NDP.

Distinguished by their Olive Drab-coloured No. 3 uniform and white helmets, the Military Police (MP), also known as the Provost, are the people who are responsible for all these roles we have mentioned above.

One of the key roles the MPs play is the reinforcement of security at the Parade. CPL Theodore Teow is one of these who are standing guard at the Float. He describes his job as “boring but important” because his mobility around the area is severely restricted by his job responsibilities. He says, “I have to keep myself mentally occupied so that time passes faster!” However, there is one thing that he enjoys immensely, and that is the opportunity to meet our celebrity NDP hosts when they walk past the area he guards, even if it's only for a split second!

In addition to working together with the Singapore Police Force to reinforce security at the Parade, MPs are also known as the Custodians of Ceremonial Duties and are responsible for several essential duties that otherwise go unnoticed at the Parade.

A ceremony commonly devoid of any coverage is the raising of the Presidential Standard at the Float. Performed by two dedicated MPs at the rooftop of the viewing gallery, the raising of the Presidential Standard indicates the arrival of our Head of State, President S R Nathan at the Float.

CPL Soh Liang Ying and LCP Thong Ko Xuan are the two MPs performing this ceremony for NDP 09. Having trained for a few months now, they express their delight at being chosen for this role. Recounting his experience, CPL Soh said, “Having this responsibility is stressful, especially when we have to ensure the flag is not mishandled in any manner. However after performing this duty, I realise that the Singapore Flag is not just a flag. It has far deeper meaning to it!”

While CPL Soh and LCP Thong raise the Presidential Standard above the viewing gallery, their counterparts at the bottom of the spectators' stand would have prepared themselves to usher our President out of his car.

Standing by to open the car doors is CPL Chua Hong Chan. To those who think such a task is simple, think again. Since April, CPL Chua and 9 other MPs have been practising the sequence of opening car doors.

The car driving the President has to stop precisely at a point such that the car doors coincide with the position of our MPs, as CPL Chua elaborates, “We have to practise the marching and constantly remind ourselves to use our left hand to open the door so that we can salute the President with our right hand. We also have to remind the driver to keep the car door unlocked so that everything goes smoothly.”

His fellow MPs add, “Although it looks simple, this procedure becomes all the more stressful when you know that there are 27 000 pair of eyes watching you at the Parade and millions more watching from home.” Nevertheless, they remain confident of the task ahead and view their role as a great privilege.

Precision drills are part of a defining characteristic of our MPs. From single-handedly spinning their 5 kg rifles to throwing their rifles in the air, our highly skilled MPs make these otherwise difficult to execute stunts appear ridiculously easy. It is this remarkable proficiency in skill that has landed them a place as a staple NDP item every year. In NDP 09, our MPs will be performing alongside celebrity actress, Koh Chieng Mun in Chapter 6: Against All Odds.

Presenting the drills this year are CPL Tan Xing Yuan and his fellow platoon mates from the Silent Precision Drill Squad (SPDS). With pyrotechnic-loaded rifles, CPL Hamdam says, “The moment I trigger the pyrotechnic gerb with a switch, I have to be very careful. However, I have done this so many times; I can already do it with my eyes closed so that sparks do not fall into my eyes when I spin the rifle!”

You can never get too much of a good thing, as CPL Johari demonstrates. After being involved in NDP last year, he is absolutely elated at the opportunity to return to The Float once again for this year's NDP. “Given the opportunity, I will definitely volunteer for a 3rd time!” he shares.

NDP undoubtedly leaves an inedible mark on the people who are involved. When we asked the MPs if they are willing to participate in NDP again, the answer was a resounding “YES!”

One cannot help but truly be wowed by the dedication and passion of these multi-talented young men.