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President S R Nathan reviewed a commissioning parade for 433 officers from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) at the SAFTI Military Institute this evening.
The parade marked the completion of 38 weeks of rigorous training at the Officer Cadet School (OCS). The demanding and realistic training exercises conducted during this course provided valuable opportunities for the officer cadets to hone their planning, analytical, combat and leadership skills. Advanced obstacle courses and exacting physical training, like the 32 km route march, further tested their physical and mental endurance. The officer cadets were also schooled in the finer aspects of social and dining etiquette.
The course culminated in a 3-week Joint phase, which included unit visits to the Army, Navy and Air Force, designed to familiarise officer cadets with the operational concepts and integrated capabilities of the SAF. These visits enabled them to better appreciate the transformation journey and networked fighting capabilities of the 3rd Generation SAF.
This cohort of 336 Army cadets, 54 Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) cadets and 43 Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) cadets, was the fourth to be commissioned this year. Amongst this cohort were six officer cadets from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. Of the eight officer cadets who were awarded the prestigious Sword-of-Honour, there were five from the Army, two from the RSAF, and one from the RSN. The newly-commissioned officers will be assigned combat, instructional or staff appointments in SAF units. The camaraderie and esprit de corps forged during the course will remain enduring ties that bond these young officers as they take up their individual appointments and progress in their careers.
Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean, Members of Parliament, senior MINDEF officials and SAF officers, grassroots leaders, and families and friends of the newly commissioned officers were also at the parade. The strong public support for the event underscores the importance of National Service and the SAF as key institutions of Singapore.
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