Spectators at this year's National Day Parade will get to see the old and new during the ceremonial parade.

While perennial favourites like the precision drills of the troops will be showcased at the parade, the soldiers will thrill the crowds with a brand-new marching song, one specially penned this year by citizen soldier Syawaludin Kassim.

Also new: The navy and air force servicemen on parade will be wearing their new grey or blue pixelated camouflage, which their army counterparts have been wearing since 2009. They are part of the 140-man contingent who will be marching out of the spectator stands to pay tribute to some 900,000 men who have undergone National Service since it started in 1967.

Among them is entrepreneur Clarence Tan, who will be commanding the 2,000-strong parade. As part of the tribute, naval boats and warplanes will be performing air and sea stunts to wow the crowds.