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Precision Drill Squad (PDS, Chinese: 精准步操队, Malay: Skuad Dril Kepersisian Senyap, Tamil: அமைதி துல்லிய துரப்பணி குழ) is a form of exhibition drill practised in Singapore which involves the execution of rifle drills in complex series of movements with great co-ordination and precision. The natures of these drills exhibit a plethora of diversity; they may be sharp and quick, graceful and flowing, or include a wide variety of tossing and spinning techniques. During performances, performers move in unison through choreographed patterns with the rifles moving under their control, always synchronised with the rhythm of the music. Drills are executed without command and the only sound that is heard is the snap and pop of the rifles on every step, in perfect synchronisation and with precision.
PDS is mainly performed and executed by the Singapore Armed Forces Military Police Command and a few privileged National Cadet Corps units, National Police Cadet Corps units and National Civil Defence Cadet Corps units in Singapore, usually at school events, inter-unit competitions or open houses.
Origin
PDS is derived from rifle exhibition drill, which originated from United States' various drill teams such as the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon and have since spread to many other countries such as Norway, Australia, Slovenia and Taiwan. PDS is identical to the Silent Precision Drill Squad (SPDS) of the SAFMPC.
Introduced in 1984, SPDS is performed in the Changing of Guard Ceremony at the gates of the Istana on the first Sunday of every month and in major events like Singapore National Day Parades and Chingay Processions, and was adopted in its present form by the National Cadet Corps, where it is performed by NCC school units which have adopted PDS in their training syllabus by 1999, with an initial participation of only about 20 school units. Due to its rarity and difficulty, the element of PDS in NCC units and NPCC units is considered a great privilege.
References
- Sin, Tino (2006) Pride, Discipline, Honour SAF Provost Media Department, Ministry of Defence, Singapore
- Estrop, Peter (2006) Our Army: Customs and Traditions, Ministry of Defence, Singapore
- MINDEF / SAF Translated Terms (PDF), Ministry of Defence (MINDEF Singapore), 31 March 2024, archived from the original (PDF) on 31 March 2024, retrieved 31 March 2024