A soldier never knows where he may fight, or for how long. His rations may run out. Thus survival training is important, not only to ensure that troops can live off the land if need be, but also to toughen up soldiers and increase their confidence in their own abilities. One unit which receives such training is the Guards.

Various kinds of survival training are given in the SAF, and perhaps the most dramatic phase is when a snake is killed and trainees drink the blood. This is done in jungle setting, for example, in the Mandai Forest of Singapore.

The art of trapping wild animals for food is also taught. Various traps, made with wire, rattan, string and other materials, have to be constructed quickly. In the wild, animals abound. Snakes, monitor lizards, birds, fish, rodents, snails, ferns, edible roots, fruits, berries, bamboo shoots and many other things are not only nutritious but can be delicious too. Most of the SAF soldiers have already eaten sharkfins, fish maw, sea cucumbers, fish head curry, turtle soap, snow fungus, ear fungus and other exotic foodstuffs, so it is just one more short step to eating the other things.

Care for yummy python in banana leaf, anyone?