On 18 Jun, 1966, Singapore Armed Forces Training Institute (SAFTI) was officially declared open by Dr Goh Keng Swee, then the Minister for Defence. The institute was also presented with its formation sign of a torch (signifying education) and scimitar (denoting military training) during its official opening.
The need for a military institute arose when defence became one of the main priorities for Singapore in 1965. This institute was to train officers to lead the new corps of men who were to form the Singapore Armed Forces.
SAFTI had its humble beginnings in the Jurong Primary School where it was then informally known as the Jurong Military Institute.
The first course conducted was a three-month Instructors’ Preparatory Course held from 14 February 1966.
As works began on a permanent home for SAFTI at Pasir Laba, the first batch of 300 recruits arrived at the institute on 1 June, 1966.
A few special-to-arms training schools also had their beginnings in SAFTI. These included schools, Artillery, Engineers, Armour, Signals, Infantry Weapons and Military Medicine.
