SCDF Guard of Honour Contingent to Debut at NDP 2025

Get ready to witness history in the making as the 2025 National Day Parade breaks new ground with a Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) guard of honor contingent! Yes, you heard that right! This year's NDP, celebrating our 60th year of independence, will leave an indelible mark.

Not just that, the Singapore Armed Forces Volunteer Corps (SAFVC) will stride into action for the first time as a full contingent, paying tribute to its 10-year milestone.

Colonel Lim Yu Sing, the chairman of the NDP 2025 parade and ceremony, spilled the beans on these exciting developments at the National Gallery Singapore. Whopping 40 marching contingents are set to grace the Padang, marking the largest presence since 1990 when 70 took part.

Despite training over about 14 weekends, the complexity involved in the intricate movements of the Guard of Honor contingents has taken meticulous planning, disclosed Col Lim, who also served as the parade chairman for NDP 2023.

Buckle up! With about 2,100 participants expected, including members from various supporting contingents, uniformed youth organizations, civilian contingents, a combined band, and a live choir, this year's NDP promises to be a grand spectacle.

But wait, there's more! 142 soldiers will be a part of the presidential gun salute, adding an extra dose of pomp and ceremony.

The parade will be helmed by the parade commander, Lieutenant Colonel Firdaus Ghazali, who considers leading this parade as the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. He reminisced about his childhood dream, back in 2002, when he participated in the NDP as a performer for the closing act.

The Guard of Honor contingents have grown in recent years, and this trend continues for NDP 2025. This includes the inaugural participation of the SCDF Guard of Honor contingent, a new and exciting addition to the parade lineup.

For the past few years, the SAF's Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS), inaugurated in 2022, has found a place in the NDP. In 2023, the DIS joined the NDP for the first time, with a guard of honor contingent, setting the stage for the SCDF's grand entrance this year.

In case you're wondering, the SAF Volunteer Corps was first represented at the NDP back in 2019, as part of a combined contingent that also featured members of the police's Volunteer Special Constabulary and the SCDF's Civil Defence Auxiliary Unit.

Tired of reading already? Hang tight, we've got more exciting details on tap! Stay tuned for the updates on the NDP 2025 pack designs, which will feature works by artists with disabilities, and the extension of the live show from Padang to Marina Bay for the first time.

The Evolving Landscape of the National Day Parade's Guard of Honor Contingents

Over the years, the National Day Parade in Singapore has showcased a diverse range of Guard of Honor (GOH) contingents. These contingents, primarily composed of military personnel from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), have gradually expanded to include a broader representation of uniformed services.

As we move towards NDP 2025, six Guard of Honor contingents are set to participate, marking a significant increase in recent years and the historic debut of the SCDF. This expansion reflects a strategic effort to promote unity, recognize civil defense roles, and enhance the visual and symbolic impact of the ceremonies.

[1] Ministry of Home Affairs. (n.d.). Singapore Civil Defence Force. Retrieved from https://www.mha.gov.sg/agencies/scdf/

[3] Ministry of Defence. (n.d.). SAF volunterism. Retrieved from https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/portal/mindef/irl-mysgd/saf-volunteerism

[4] National Day Parade. (2023). NDP 2023: Guard of Honour. Retrieved from https://www.ndp.org.sg/2023/about-ndp/ndp-2023-guard-of-honour/

[5] The Straits Times. (2023, August 9). National Day Parade 2025: SCDF to field Guard of Honour contingent for the first time. Retrieved from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/military/national-day-parade-2025-scdf-to-field-guard-of-honour-contingent-for-the-first-time

With the approaching 2025 National Day Parade, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) makes its historic debut as part of the Guard of Honor contingents. The SAF Volunteer Corps, celebrating its 10-year milestone, will also stride into action for the first time as a full contingent.