To many servicemen, both past and present, ATEC evaluation is a major milestone that most have to face and overcome in their National Service journey. Yet, little is known about its past. Over its storied 30 years, ATEC has gone through various evolutions, eventually shaping it into the professional evaluation centre it is today. 

Join us as we explore some key historical milestones while tracing back to ATEC’s roots!

ATEC first started out as Battalion Training Evaluation Centre (BTEC) in 1990. Being a neutral body under Headquarters Infantry, it was set up to evaluate the operational readiness of Infantry and Guards battalions. 

ATEC team, led by then-Commander, LTC Yap Chin Hoe, during the inauguration of its insignia.

The first unit which went through evaluation was 4th Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (4 SIR) commanded by MAJ Leong Yue Keong. 

From its set up till date, there are only six units which achieved REDCON 1:

• 1992: 1st Battalion, Singapore Guards
• 1995: 3rd Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment
• 1997: 40th Battalion, Singapore Armoured Regiment
• 2000: 3rd Battalion, Singapore Guards
• 2002: 1st Commando Battalion
• 2011: 1st Commando Battalion

The first unit to achieve REDCON 1 is 1st Battalion, Singapore Guards (1 GDS) commanded by MAJ Eric Khoo. This was as a result of effective leadership and sound planning coupled with tenacious fighting spirit by the unit. 

In 1993, BTEC was officially named to ATEC and came under the command of Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC). It was also reorganised to include the evaluation of Armoured Battle Groups and 1st Commando Battalions.

ATEC commemorating its 100th evaluation.

In its journey to continuously evolve and stay relevant, in 2010, ATEC also took on the governance of all Battalion-level evaluations including Combat Support and Combat Service Support units, through the Army Training Evaluation System. ATEC also strenghtened its partnership with the training institutes to ensure that units are trained and evaluated to standards. 

ATEC during its 200th evaluation.

This year, ATEC reached 30 years in service and has recently completed its 311st evaluation for 3rd Battalion, Singapore Guards. Despite its evolution over the years, ATEC continues to play its role as a strategic lever to shape units’ behaviours to enhance operational readiness of Our Army through raising confident soldiers and units, cultivating positive training experience and engendering a learning culture. 

Here’s to many more successful years for ATEC!

The current ATEC Team (photo taken before COVID-19 measures).

Written by: PTE Stanley Ong (Army News), with contributions from ATEC