SAF Day Parade

The SAF Day Parade is an annual military parade and ceremony of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) held on 1 July in commemoration of the founding of the SAF.{{cite web|url=https://anydayguide.com/calendar/3169|website=anydayguide.com|title=Armed Forces Day in Singapore / July 1, 2019|accessdate=2019-08-21}}{{cite book|title=Singapore Bulletin|author1=Singapore. Ministry of Culture (1968-1985). Publicity Division|author2=Singapore. Ministry of Culture (1968-1985). Information Division|author3=Singapore. Ministry of Communications and Information (1985-1990). Information Division|author4=Singapore. Ministry of Information and the Arts|date=1986|issue=v. 12-14|publisher=Publicity Division, Ministry of Culture.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mc2_RUCJTbQC|accessdate=2019-08-21}} It is the second military parade in seniority to be held in Singapore next to the Singapore National Day Parade on 9 August.{{cite book|title=The New Army Daze|author=Chiang, M.|date=1992|publisher=Times Books International|isbn=9789812043085|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t4feAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=2019-08-21}} It is usually held at the SAFTI Military Institute in Jurong West, with the presence of the president of Singapore.{{cite web|url=https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/portal/mindef/news-and-events/latest-releases/article-detail/2016/july/2016jul01-news-releases-02304/!ut/p/z1/tVJLc9MwEP4tHHRUtH7bzDCMaaGFiZtA0zb2hZFt-VFsyZXVmPx71jGcIGU4oMuuPu3j22_FMrZnmeSHtuamVZJ3eE8z_2uwuby4Bte-2Xg7C-L73W7tvbv5eBf47J5lLCukGUzD0r6VpahooaQR0hBoVC8ISDGNlMuSigOiI4GOGzEaqkUn-CgQsMHyCTw-d8fFRw8sesr7FUTBdsCdmw1FW7K08r3IKvySAuRAXdfJaWg7Pg0jKB2riIrI8djD39hn-AxnTgyYn51CNp_dK8sFe71JvnhYIYrCHWxtuAp-BrxQI0UOwXkOAXs4tGJid1LpHgW__ccRr4F9OlF4YUpcoq2Ti6TGytw0tJWVYvtZaLafRV_886Jjfvv49JTFuOl5td8N2___VeNYdafy5RPGMndC5K9FJbTQq2eNcGPMML4mQGCaptXCaFWrw2qsERI5gUFpwzsCyxuBUXBdNG8X8-Y2_kAsGy75cTZbrnkp_tSsUSNO_FsPNvR96Bzptyp577hZul1XifHS-NUPRsCZyw!!/dz/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/?urile=wcm%3Apath%3A%2Fmindef-content%2Fhome%2Fnews-and-events%2Flatest-releases%2F2016%2Fjuly%2F2016Jul01-News-Releases-02304|website=mindef.gov.sg|title=President Tony Tan Keng Yam Officiates at SAF Day Parade|accessdate=2019-08-21}} Salutes are also taken by the prime minister of Singapore, and the chief of Defence Force.{{cite web|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/military-personnel-honoured-at-saf-day-events|title=Military personnel honoured at SAF Day events, Singapore News & Top Stories|website=The Straits Times|accessdate=2019-08-21}}

Close to 3,000 Operationally Ready National Serviceman (NSmen) take part in the ceremony, including personnel of any one of the Singapore Armed Forces Bands (either the SAF Central Band or SAF Ceremonial Band A) or the Singapore Armed Forces Military Police Command. The SAF performs a traditional Trooping the Colour ceremonyMinistry of Defence. (2006). Our army customs and traditions: Understanding why we do what we do (pp. 85, 88). Retrieved from MINDEF website. during the parade, following the British Army regimental tradition. The awards for the Singapore Armed Forces Best Unit Competition are conferred upon the winning units during the parade. The current year's winner make up the parade's 2 Guards, which is typically the 1st Commando Battalion of the Commandos formation. The outgoing colour bearer for the Singapore Army hands the Army's State colour to the colour bearer for the Best Combat Unit of the year.{{cite web|url=https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/portal/mindef/news-and-events/latest-releases/article-detail/2019/june/24jun19_nr/!ut/p/z1/rVJNT9wwEP0tPfjo9cSbjw1ShVJoodWG3ZYFNrkgbzL5oIkTHLMp_74TthKHFhBSfRl7_Dzz5j2LVGxFqtW-LpWtO60aOiepfxusTk_OwZUXK2_jQHS92Sy9TxdfrwJfXItUpJm2va1E0tY6x4JnnbaoLYOqa5GBxnHgSucc95QdGDTK4mC5wQbVgJSQ4IQM7h40oaVL0QlvtZkq91mdi8R3YY5ZLrn0lMtdP_R5GATI0cdsEaIM8iATN29RTekaXlgR0Pv0CbL67p45LsjlKv7hUYUwXGxgLeEs-AN4pUZCHIKXOQTiZl_jKK50Z1pS9_KdI56D-PZE4ZUpyTFp4pO4pMrKVrzWRSe2k8JiOylM-2eFCVzf3d-nEXk4mfbLiu1_NpEIl023O_ylSO_mC2JmsECDZvZgKF1Z2w9HDBiM4zg7tJ-V3X42lJTCHYO-M1Y1DA53DAZUJquOD-HjZfSFORJO1eMU1sqoHP_VrOoGGu-vHqJv28X8kf8s4s9zN03WyyK2XhJ9-A3l6ZtU/dz/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/?urile=wcm%3Apath%3A%2Fmindef-content%2Fhome%2Fnews-and-events%2Flatest-releases%2F2019%2Fjune%2F24jun19_nr|website=mindef.gov.sg|title=SAF Honours its Best Units|accessdate=2019-08-21}} As for 3 Guards and 4 Guards, these are, organised and arranged based on the NDP guard of honour, with Naval Diving Unit representing the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and the Air Power Generation Command representing the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF). In 2023, the 5 Guards is added to the parade, comprising personnel from the Digital and Intelligence Service. 10 supporting units are also located to the rear of the guard of honour formation.{{cite book|title=The Pioneer|author=Singapore. Armed Forces|date=1988|issue=v. 123-141|publisher=Singapore Armed Forces.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F8jIUj_acAMC&pg=RA4-PT11|accessdate=2019-08-21}} A re-affirmation of the Singapore National Pledge of loyalty by all members of the SAF on parade takes place.{{cite web|title=SAF Pledge|url=https://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/press_room/events_and_activities/2016/safday2016/abtparade/saf.html|publisher=Ministry of Defence (Singapore)}}