Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) training safety in 2011

Three Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) personnel died during military training in 2011. These fatalities include two full-time National Servicemen (NSF) and one air force Regular.

SAF training deaths in 2011 break the fatality-free year in 2010, which was the safest year for military training since compulsory National Service began in 1967.

Although SAF training deaths rose three times in 2011 in year-on-year terms, last year's record is lower than the 10 training deaths reported for 2009.

The tally for 2011 brings the SAF safety record back to the level in 2006 when three military training deaths were declared that year. Compared to 10 years ago, the year 2001 also saw three SAF training deaths. The figure for 2002 was also three deaths.

The ten years from 2001 to 2010 saw 42 Singaporeans die serving the SAF.

Friday proved the deadliest day for the SAF. From 2001 to 2010, 14 SAF servicemen died on a Friday. Could the promise of a weekend out of camp make SAF personnel let their guard down on the last day of a work week? Records show that the deaths of Second Lieutenant Nicholas Chan in 2009 and Lance Corporal Wee Yong Choon Eugin last January took place on a Friday after they were knocked down by reversing MID vehicles.

The second deadliest day was Wednesday. Nine SAF personnel died mid-week during the period.

As Saturday is book out day for the majority of SAF personnel, you probably will not be surprised by its record as the safest day from 2001 to 2010. Naval rating LCP Mar Teng Fong, 20, was the only servicemen to die on a Saturday although technically speaking, he died in hospital from injuries sustained the previous Wednesday aboard his tank landing ship.

June proved the deadliest month with eight deaths from 2001 to 2010 while May came a close second with seven fatalities.

The safest months - February, March, August and December - were tied with one death each during the past decade.

Compare these statistics with the training deaths reported by the Singaporean Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) for 2011:

28 January 2011 (Friday) - Lance Corporal Wee Yong Choon Eugin, 20, was hit by a reversing Unimog while unloading stores at Jurong Camp 1 at 0700 hours Hotel. He was pronounced dead at NUH at 0759 hrs H.

11 June 2011 (Saturday) - Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Regular Major Toh Tze Wah Edi, 49, collapsed at 0911 hrs H collapsed midway during his Individual Physical Proficiency Test 2.4km at Tengah Air Base. He was pronounced dead at NUH at 10:24 hrs H.

2 August 2011 (Tuesday) - Specialist Cadet Ee Chun Sheng, 21, was found unconscious at about 17:11 hrs H while participating in a navigation exercise in the Ama Keng Training Area in Lim Chu Kang. An SAF medic went to the site and tried resuscitating SCT Eee at 17:15 hrs H. He was evacuated to the medical centre at Tengah Air Base where doctors attended to him after the safety vehicle arrived at 17:39 hrs H. At 18:05 hrs H, SCT Eee was rushed to NUH. The ambulance arrived there at 18:32 hrs H. He was pronounced dead at NUH at 21:03 hrs H.

During the year, MINDEF also reported that SCT Percy Toh Cheng Kai, 21, was injured on 31 July (Sunday) after a 40mm round exploded prematurely in a 40 AGL (automatic grenade launcher). He was injured on his chest, right arm and right cheek. SCT Toh was discharged from hospital in August 2011. The significance of this incident can be seen by the death that hit the training school just two days later. The proactive steps taken by its commanders to manage morale of SCTs in the school are commendable.

To the best of our knowledge, there were no unreported SAF training deaths in 2011. We are satisfied with the level of transparency by MINDEF/SAF when reporting training incidents last year. However, BOI and COI findings should be shared in an open forum as lessons picked up from such investigations will do much to reinforce safety awareness in our citizens armed forces.

All NSFs, Operationally Ready NSmen and SAF Regulars are urged to make training safety a personal commitment and team effort in 2012 and beyond.