In the first of a three-part series on SAF pioneers, we talk to Captain (Ret) Shamsudin bin Shadan. The 83-year-old is remembered for being a strict disciplinarian, the Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) of 1st Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (1 SIR) and the Parade RSM of the very first National Day Parade in 1966.
What I miss most about the SAF
The regimentation. To me, it's something you must uphold 24 hours a day. You cannot fool round just because you are not in camp. Even when I was outside in civilian attire, whenever I saw a soldier not wearing his uniform properly, I would call him out on it. You should feel proud in your uniform.
What you didn't know
When my men from 1 SIR were Istana guards, I made them remove their pants during their breaks. This was to ensure that they did not crumple their uniforms while sitting down to rest. So, they had to change out of their pants and then put them back on five minutes before their duties started. The pants were so well-starched that they could stand upright on the table!
My advice to my son and grandsons
When my son and grandsons did their National Service (NS), my advice to them was to be disciplined and obey their commanders' orders. NS is very important to Singapore: we cannot afford to have a lot of Regulars, so we need NS to support our armed forces. Even after you've completed your cycle, you'll continue to think that you're part of the SAF and that you can get called back in times of crisis. I had that mindset and continued to maintain my fitness for a while after I retired, but not at this age.
