Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr. Heng Chee How commends new graduates from Singapore’s top military college on their leadership role in modern warfare.
In a graduation ceremony at the SAFTI Military Institute, Senior Minister of State for Defence, Mr. Heng Chee How, officiated the 2024 graduation of the Goh Keng Swee Command and Staff College (GKS CSC), recognizing 268 graduates from Singapore and abroad. The cohort includes 141 regular officers, 56 National Service (NS) officers, 46 military experts, and 4 warrant officers from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), alongside 1 Singapore Police Force officer and 20 international officers representing 12 countries.
This year marked the completion of the 55th Command and Staff Course (CSC), the 25th CSC (National Service), and the 22nd and 23rd CSC (Executive). These courses are the highest level of military education in Singapore, designed to equip officers for senior command roles and foster leadership in an increasingly complex security environment.
In his speech, Mr. Heng highlighted the evolving nature of global conflict, citing examples like the Russia-Ukraine war, tensions in the Middle East, and hybrid warfare that extend beyond traditional combat. “Any domain and means that can be weaponised has been or will be weaponised,” he remarked, noting that hybrid warfare now includes economic, technological, social, political, and psychological dimensions.
Mr. Heng emphasized that future SAF leaders must be well-versed in both historical insights and technological advancements. “The ability to triumph lies…in the quality and qualities of our people and their leaders,” he said, stressing the importance of leaders who can leverage new technologies while inspiring unity and resilience within their teams.
Graduates of GKS CSC are expected to apply these insights as they take on critical leadership positions within the SAF, contributing to Singapore’s ongoing commitment to national security.
Source – MINDEF
