This week, we spoke to Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Joshua Goh, Commanding Officer (CO) of the 1st Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (1 SIR). Formed on 12 March 1957, 1 SIR was the first battalion to be formed, with 237 Singapore citizens signing on as the first batch of soldiers responsible for the defence of Singapore.

Today, 1  SIR is led by LTC Goh, who has completed notable tours, such as Platoon Commander (PC) in Officer Cadet School (OCS), Head Training Policy Section in G6-Army and Operations Officer in the Army Deployment Force (ADF). 

LTC Goh and his soldiers going through a Strength and Power training session

Could you tell us more about your experience so far as CO 1 SIR?
It has been an awesome and humbling experience. Awesome, because it is always a privilege to lead Singaporean sons and daughters and to help them become better selves in service of our nation. Humbling, because it is no mean feat commanding the Singapore Army's oldest infantry unit. Our battalion's rich heritage and impressive legacy constantly remind me that I stand on the shoulders of giants.

What are some of the key takeaways you have had since your appointment as CO 1 SIR?
Our unit did well in Basic Military Training (BMT) with good results and positive experiences by the soldiers. My reflection on why we did well was that we spared no effort in taking good care of our soldiers - training and mentoring them well, raising them to be good soldiers. I think this holds true today in my unit, even after BMT. 

LTC Goh observing the Section Battle Course training

What are some values that you believe in as a Leader?
One of the most important values I believe in is Empathy. I often go back to Sun Tzi's saying, "Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death." Simply put, being a good leader is entering into the lives of those under me and accepting them for who they are, treating them with respect and dignity.

Another value I hold close to me is trust. It is the bedrock of a good unit because it means that we can trust each other to accomplish the mission and bring everyone home safely. The better we are at what we do, the more positive our attitude, and the closer our bonds, the stronger the trust.

However, we must guard against having a "what's-in-it-for-me" mindset. Instead of asking what we can get, we should ask what we can give.  

LTC Goh engaging his troopers during a Section Battle Course training

What were some of your previous appointments and how did these prior experiences help you in your current appointment?
Most of my formative tours were spent in the training community, as an OCS PC and as a Head Training Policy Section in G6 - Army. My experience in those tours shaped my belief that Training is the Lifeblood of the Army. As a result, I resolved that we must Train to Standards, Train as we Fight, and Train to Task. That's why as a CO, I spend much of my time and attention designing, executing, and reviewing training activities.

Another memorable tour was as the Operations Officer in the Army Deployment Force. I admire how the culture of an all-regular battalion was built on individual operators who took pride in their weapon proficiencies and field craft. They treated themselves like professionals, honing their skills and pushing themselves to be the best. That's what kept them going for so long. So in some small way, I believe that the same can be done for the soldiers in my unit - even though they are not regulars, they can and should take pride in training themselves to become "pros". 

Have there been any memorable events throughout your tenure as CO?
In BMT, we decided to conduct our Weapons Presentation ceremony at the Kranji War Memorial. It was logistically challenging but extremely meaningful because our soldiers realised the gravity of military service. It was a poignant honour to those who had made the ultimate sacrifice. Another highlight was during BMT - we asked the parents of our soldiers to write letters to their sons to be passed to them during the Field Camp. Little did I expect that one of the parents would also write a letter to the battalion command team, thanking us for taking care of their son. We still treasure that letter today! 

LTC Goh (left) presenting the Singapore Assault Rifle - 21st Century at the Kranji War Memorial

Looking forward, what else is in store for 1 SIR? 
We will close the year-long 65th-anniversary celebrations in the coming week by opening our new Heritage Room in Pasir Laba Camp. We welcome all past Leopards to come and visit the "H-OneTen", named after the hill in Ulu Pandan camp (1 SIR's original home) where the Officer's Mess was sited. H-OneTen will be where we keep the revered Queen's Colours and serve as our Commanders' Mess so that our commanders can bask in the regiment's rich history as part of daily life. In this way, H-OneTen will not only be a place where history is kept but where history is made and comes alive. 

LTC Goh together with the 19th Mono-Intake of 1 SIR, First and Foremost!

✍️ : PTE Teo Ze Xuan (Army News)
📷 : PTE Ryan Liew (Army News) and 1 SIR Media Team