The ultimate symbol of sacrifice...

"I dedicate my LIFE to Singapore..."

This is the phrase that EVERY recruit utters on his first day as a soldier as part of the SAF Pledge led by his Commanding Officer, this is the phrase that every officer cadet says as he stands proudly on the hollowed grounds of the SAFTI Parade Square before he is officially commissioned as an SAF Officer by the Reviewing Officer and this is the phrase that EVERY SOLDIER says every year on SAF Day on 1st July.

The military profession is unique in that it calls for unlimited liability upon its members - that when called upon, we will give up our lives for our country. I am reminded of the seriousness of what we do when we had a talk with the Head of Army Musuem a few days ago. The ID tag or "dog-tag" as it is more commonly known is given to recruits upon enlistment. It is the ONLY item that we have that is useful only upon the death of its owner. It has no other purpose other than to identify who the owner was. All other equipment given to us are gainfully used except for the ID tag which just hangs around our necks or kept safely somewhere. We do not use it to identify ourselves because we have our 11B or the military IC for it. If it is to be used, it is only used upon the death of its owner. Since there always two tags, 1 is taken by the medic and the other one attached to the owner so as to identify him...

So, there...for those who have it, think about it the next time you see your ID tags. It is the one thing that you have that you hope will not EVER be utilised...