Tan Kim Peng Clarence
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Colonel Tan Kim Peng Clarence is a retired officer
of the Singapore Armed Forces
. He is mostly associated with his work in building up the Singapore Armed Forces Commando Formation
during its infancy and early years.
(1 SIR), and conducted his duties in Sabah
and Taiping
in Malaysia during the Konfrontasi period till 1965, where he was posted to various appointments, including in the Malaysian Special Operations Force
. In June 1967, he, together with Second Lieutenant Chan Seck Sung, were the first two Commandos to attend the U.S. Army Rangers and Airborne
courses at Fort Benning
, United States. He was promoted to the rank of Captain while in the United States.
In 1967, he was tasked to begin recruiting eligible candidates for the new Singapore Armed Forces Regular Battalion, the precursor of the 1st Commando Battalion. He was promoted to the rank of Major in April 1969, and became the Commanding Officer
of the 4th Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment a year later. He returned as Commanding Officer of the SAF Regular Battalion in January 1971, and continued to do so when the unit was renamed as 1st Commando Battalion till June 1978. During this time, he achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
He was transferred from the 1st Commando Battalion to the 5th Singapore Infantry Brigade, but once again was re-associated with the Commandos when he became the Commandant
of the new Commando Formation in 1981, a post he held till 1988 when he was Defence Attaché in Australia prior to this retirement in 1992.
Officer (armed forces)
An officer is a member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority. Commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position...
of the Singapore Armed Forces
Singapore Armed Forces
The Singapore Armed Forces is the military arm of the Total Defence of the Republic of Singapore; as well as the military component of the Ministry of Defence. The SAF comprises three branches: the Singapore Army, the Republic of Singapore Air Force and the Republic of Singapore Navy...
. He is mostly associated with his work in building up the Singapore Armed Forces Commando Formation
Singapore Armed Forces Commando Formation
The Singapore Armed Forces Commando Formation is an elite branch of the Singapore Armed Forces . An offensive unit, it specialises in pre-emptive operations involving small groups of specially trained soldiers in enemy territory...
during its infancy and early years.
Military career
LTC Tan's military career began as a volunteer of the Singapore Military Force in 1960, and attained the rank of Second Lieutenant after completing the Officer Cadet Course conducted at the Federation Military College in Malaysia. He served as a platoon commander in the 1st Battalion, Singapore Infantry RegimentSingapore Infantry Regiment
The Singapore Infantry Regiment is the main formation of the Singapore Army. It consists of eight full-time battalions and a number of National Service , or Reservist battalions.-History:...
(1 SIR), and conducted his duties in Sabah
Sabah
Sabah is one of 13 member states of Malaysia. It is located on the northern portion of the island of Borneo. It is the second largest state in the country after Sarawak, which it borders on its southwest. It also shares a border with the province of East Kalimantan of Indonesia in the south...
and Taiping
Taiping, Perak
Taiping is a town located in northern Perak, Malaysia. With a population of 191,104 , it is the second largest town in Perak after Ipoh, the state capital. Taiping took over Kuala Kangsar's role as the state capital from 1876 to 1937, but was then replaced by Ipoh...
in Malaysia during the Konfrontasi period till 1965, where he was posted to various appointments, including in the Malaysian Special Operations Force
Malaysian Special Operations Force
Malaysian Special Operations Force is a multi service force tasked with a counter-terrorism mission. It consists of the 10 Paratrooper Brigade, Grup Gerak Khas , Pasukan Khas Laut , Pasukan Khas Udara , Pasukan Gerakan Khas , Unit Gempur Marin , Trup Tindakan Cepat and Special Task And Rescue .-...
. In June 1967, he, together with Second Lieutenant Chan Seck Sung, were the first two Commandos to attend the U.S. Army Rangers and Airborne
Airborne forces
Airborne forces are military units, usually light infantry, set up to be moved by aircraft and 'dropped' into battle. Thus they can be placed behind enemy lines, and have an ability to deploy almost anywhere with little warning...
courses at Fort Benning
Fort Benning
Fort Benning is a United States Army post located southeast of the city of Columbus in Muscogee and Chattahoochee counties in Georgia and Russell County, Alabama...
, United States. He was promoted to the rank of Captain while in the United States.
In 1967, he was tasked to begin recruiting eligible candidates for the new Singapore Armed Forces Regular Battalion, the precursor of the 1st Commando Battalion. He was promoted to the rank of Major in April 1969, and became the Commanding Officer
Commanding officer
The commanding officer is the officer in command of a military unit. Typically, the commanding officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually given wide latitude to run the unit as he sees fit, within the bounds of military law...
of the 4th Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment a year later. He returned as Commanding Officer of the SAF Regular Battalion in January 1971, and continued to do so when the unit was renamed as 1st Commando Battalion till June 1978. During this time, he achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
He was transferred from the 1st Commando Battalion to the 5th Singapore Infantry Brigade, but once again was re-associated with the Commandos when he became the Commandant
Commandant
Commandant is a senior title often given to the officer in charge of a large training establishment or academy. This usage is common in anglophone nations...
of the new Commando Formation in 1981, a post he held till 1988 when he was Defence Attaché in Australia prior to this retirement in 1992.