CSSCOM BREAKING NEW GROUND WITH INTEGRATED HQ

What now lies as an empty piece of land will soon be transformed into the home for the entities of the Combat Service Support (CSS) Commands.

In a landmark move, the headquarters (HQs) of CSS Command (CSSCOM), Maintenance and Engineering Support (MES) Formation, Transport Formation and Supply Formation will move from their locations in Ayer Rajah and Gloucester Camps to join the Army Logistics Training Institute (ALTI), the Army Logistics Training Centre (ALTC), the School of Logistics (SOL) and the School of Manpower Management (SMP) in Kranji Camp III - all housed under the roof of a CSS Integrated HQ (IHQ).

The MES sub units of 1st Army Maintenance Base (1AMB) and Ordnance Engineering Training Institution (OETI) from Ayer Rajah Camp will also join MES Formation in Kranji Camp III.

The HQ Army Medical Services (AMS), however, will remain at its current location in Nee Soon Camp, so as to maintain its critical link with HQ Medical Corps.

Establishing a CSS IHQ will help bring about greater cohesion and integrity to the entire CSSCOM by growing the spirit of One Heart, One Mind, One CSS. Quality services and support to the Army and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) can also be ensured by coordinating operations from a single HQ.

"The new CSS IHQ will give us opportunity to work together in peace, as well as in operations, allowing us a seamless transition to an operational footing, when necessary," said Colonel (COL) Ngien Hoon Ping, Commander of CSSCOM, in his opening address at the ground-breaking ceremony on 29 Dec last year.

CSSCOM was formed in 2006 to integrate all functional CSS expertise to support Army units in dealing with the full spectrum of operations.

Since its inauguration, CSSCOM has seen marked successes in its support of the Army's operations and training, as well as in enhancing specialisation and competencies.

"The biggest increase we have seen is in the effectiveness of units on the ground," commented Chief of Staff, General Staff (COS-GS) Brigadier-General (BG) Hugh Lim, who officiated at the ceremony.

"An HQ that is integrated lends a lot of leadership in providing direction for units on the ground to operate in a similar fashion."

"When the leadership is familiar with the nature of the different types of operations within CSS, they are better able to provide leadership in times of operations," he added.

This move for an IHQ also bears much significance for the men on the ground.

"We will feel a common CSS identity across the CSS formations, because when the leadership thinks and does alike, it will contribute to CSS having one vision and building one identity," said Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Chellaiah Puwananthiren, CSSCOM's Division Sergeant Major.

Improvements in training can also be expected when the ALTC, the School of Logistics and the School of Manpower, which currently reside in Kranji Camp III, are joined by the Ordnance Engineering Training Centre (OETC) from Ayer Rajah Camp.

This 'coming together' under ALTI will translate into better integrated CSS training, and development of integrated doctrine.

"When we see the schools coming together and working together, there will be a lot of synergy in the way we train, groom and nurture the young soldiers," MWO Chellaiah told cyberpioneer.

The IHQ project is expected to be completed by end-2010.