SAF Code of Conduct, Turnout, Bearing and Professionalism
2LT Tan Jun Jie Alvis
SAF Code of Conduct
Singapore Armed forces: "Our Army; Customs and Traditions, Understanding Why We Do What We Do." 2006
On 18 July 1967, the Code of Conduct was promulgated by the then Defence Minister of Singapore, Dr Goh Keng Swee. The code had been initially researched and drafted by a Jesuit Priest named Father Terence J. Sheridan.
This code was justified for two reasons: Professional efficiency and the relation between the Armed Forces and Society. The code is necessary to spell out in explicit terms for the guidance of the armed forces to establish high standards of behaviour. It then ensures sense of dignity and purpose prevails throughout the Army.
It is a set of rules which govern the daily conduct and behaviour of a serviceman. It is a constant reminder of the Core Values of Loyalty to Country, Discipline, Professionalism and Ethics and provide the moral compass in the serviceman’s daily dealings.
The Six Rules of Conduct are:
1. We always honour our Nation. We will do everything to uphold it and nothing to disgrace it.
2. At all times, we must bear in mind that we are the protector of our citizens.
3. We are loyal to the Armed Forces and we take pride in our unit, our uniform, our discipline, our work, our training and ourselves.
4. We must be exemplary in our conduct. We respect others, and by our conduct and bearing win the respect of others. We are courageous but not reckless.
5. We are devoted to duty but not to ourselves.
6. We guard our weapons as we guard secrets.
SAF Turnout and Bearing
The public image of any armed forces depends not only on its proven or potential fighting efficiency in times of war but also equally on its appearance and conduct as a disciplined and unified force. Therefore uniformity, correctness and smartness on all occasions are essential in projecting the desired public image.
Personal Appearance
Every service personnel must maintain a neat and clean appearance and be smartly dressed on all occasions while in uniform. Uniforms worn are to be neat, clean, properly fitted and pressed/ironed to portray a smart military image. The uniform must be worn properly at all times.
Wearing of Uniform
All SAF uniformed personnel (including Regulars, NSF, NSmen and SAF Volunteer Corps) are not allowed to wear the SAF uniform or any part of the SAF uniform, when overseas except when on official duties.
A Regular, NSF, NSmen or SAF VC is not to wear the uniform or any part of it except when:
- performing military duty and when proceeding to or from a place of military duty,
- attending a ceremonial function, or a social function of a purely military service in nature or
- any other occasion as directed by MINDEF/SAF.
The SAF Day marks the importance of defence and the role of every soldier in defending Singapore. To increase public support for defence and NS, all NSmen are encouraged to wear their SAF uniform to work on 1st July.
Temporary excuse from wearing uniform may be given to service personnel for medical reasons certified by SAF Medical Officers.
Numbered Order of Dress:
The authorised numbered order of dress in the SAF is as follows:
- No.1 dress - Ceremonial dress
- No.2 dress - Mess kit
- No.3 dress - Office dress (including Maternity Uniform)
- No.4 dress - Field dress
- No.5 dress - Service dress- (T) Tie, (J) Jacket, (E) Enhanced, (S) Simplified
The RSN ball cap has been approved by the RSN and SAF Dress Committees as a head dress for the RSN to be worn ONLY onboard ships and within naval bases.
Acceptable Haircut in MINDEF/SAF
Our military bearing, turnout and conduct reflect the level of discipline and professionalism in the SAF. Apart from facilitating operational readiness, it is therefore crucial for us to upkeep SAF’s image with good military bearing and professionalism. Every serviceman is expected to maintain appropriate bearing and turnout, and acceptable haircut is part of it. Sikh personnel wearing the turban and patkas, and practising Sikhism prior to enlistment for Full-time National Service are allowed to keep long hair due to their tradition. However, they are to ensure that the hair showings below the turban are neatly tucked in and that beard and moustache are neatly groomed.
Hair must be neatly trimmed. Hair should not touch the collar, or overlap the eyes and ears, or interfere with the proper wearing of head dress.
Sideburns are to be neatly trimmed and not increase in width towards the bottom. The bottom of the sideburns must be clean cut in a horizontal line and not extend below the centre of the ear.
Dying, tinting, or bleaching of hair is not allowed except to its natural colour and skinhead haircut is prohibited.
The rule of keeping hair and sideburns neatly trimmed is not applicable to Sikh personnel wearing the puggaree. However, they are to ensure that the hair showing below the turban is neatly tucked in and that beards and moustaches are neatly groomed.
Hairstyle examples:
Wearing of jewellery
The wearing of a wristwatch and not more than one ring is allowed unless prohibited for safety reasons or during parades.
No other jewellery such as bangles and chains or similar items are to be exposed on uniforms, this includes health-related accessories worn on the wrist and around the neck.
Serviceman are not allowed to wear any type of earring when in uniform or when wearing civilian clothes on duty or during booking in/out.
Only personnel observing the Sikh faith may be allowed to wear the bangle.
Professionalism
Professionalism is defined as the professional character, spirit or standing, practice or methods of a professional. It is also defined as the hewing to a set of values postulated as the ideal of performance in the profession at hand.
The SAF Core Values handbook defines professionalism as proficiency, competency and reliability in all we do. It encompasses having a sound knowledge of what we do and doing it right the first time. It is grounded on the belief of high standards of performance and discipline. One would also see it as a dedication to duty and team excellence.
I see professionalism as a core value that is unique. It makes us want to do a little more, to do something different, and that something is everything. It rejects complacency, keeps us on our toes and compels us to give our very best. It demands not just the norm - it is fussy and never ending. It is characteristically us, men in the military, who train hard, think hard, work hard and play hard, to the best of our ability.
'The essence of professionalism is character.'
Indeed, character is the inner quality of a person that is demonstrated by action. It is a behaviour that can be nurtured through training and education, and nourished by values.
The components of character in a person include qualities such as integrity, moral courage, discipline, tenacity, boldness, decisiveness, dedication or sense of responsibility, steadfastness, trustworthiness and selflessness.
