Minister Chee Hong Tat officiated the commissioning parade of 402 new SAF officers, highlighting the importance of strong leadership and commitment to national defense.
402 cadets were commissioned as officers of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) at a ceremony held at the SAFTI Military Institute. The parade was reviewed by Mr. Chee Hong Tat, Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance. The newly commissioned officers include 327 from the Singapore Army, 42 from the Republic of Singapore Navy, and 33 from the Republic of Singapore Air Force.
In his speech, Mr. Chee emphasized the importance of a strong SAF in the current global landscape. He remarked, “We must ensure that our people continue to remain committed to defend Singapore and are well trained to fulfil their mission. And we must continue to raise capable and dedicated leaders who have the skills and mettle to tackle the challenges that lie ahead of us.”
Addressing the graduands, Mr. Chee highlighted their future roles as leaders within the SAF. “As future officers of the SAF, you will lead your soldiers, sailors, airmen and guardians in safeguarding the peace and stability of Singapore. You will be responsible for grooming the next generation of servicemen and women who will protect Singapore. To lead well, you will need to lead by example, be firm yet compassionate, and have the moral courage to do what is right,” he said.
The parade marked the culmination of 38 weeks of rigorous training at the Officer Cadet School, where cadets honed their combat, planning, and leadership skills. The newly commissioned officers are now prepared to take on command, instructional, or staff roles within the SAF. The event was also attended by Chief of Air Force Brigadier-General Kelvin Fan, senior officials from the Ministry of Defence and SAF, as well as the families and friends of the new officers.
Source – MINDEF
