Graduands of the 68/07 Officer Cadet Course,

Parents, Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I congratulate you on your commissioning as Officers of the Singapore Armed Forces. The mission of the Officer Cadet School is to train men like you "to lead, to excel, to overcome". This is the school's motto - three powerful ideas I trust you will uphold with full commitment.

When we became independent in 1965, we had little economic capital. Our economy was a 3rd world economy. But we worked hard, and competed smart. We progressed from a 3rd world economy to a 1st world economy, to create this Unlimited Singapore Economy of today, in one generation.

At the time of independence, we also had little social capital. Our society was divided - by racial riots and labour unrests. But we worked, lived and played together as one people, to create this harmonious, resilient and United Singapore Society of today, in one generation.

However, nation building is more than just about building our economy and strengthening our society. As a nation, we must be able to defend what we are able to create - our economic capital and our social capital - for ourselves and our children. Indeed, without a strong SAF, we will not be able to ensure the long term survival of our nation.

To overcome the constraints and limitations of a small country, we exploit technology to the fullest. When I did my national service in the 70’s, we had a 1G SAF. Today, we are making a quantum leap into the 3G SAF - with creative ideas and effective doctrines that will enable us to deal with the wide spectrum of threats that Singapore faces.

As we advance from a 1G SAF to a 3G SAF, the technology we deploy will keep changing. But we must make sure that one thing will not change - our pride, courage and determination as one force - to lead, to excel and to overcome. You must aspire to execute your mission successfully, every time, in training and in exercises. This will send a powerful message to all who are watching.

The SAF can excel only when every soldier and officer excels in what he does. More important than physical fitness and toughness, is your ability to influence the men and women under your charge to follow you into battle, inspire them to be fully committed, and imbue in them a strong sense of mission and purpose to give of their best. Wherever you are assigned to, you have a noble and honourable responsibility to lead by example. Whatever you say to them, the men and women under you will watch what you do. Train them well, push them hard, but look after them and always have their safety at heart. Your actions, more than your words, will determine whether they will trust you, and follow you.

Some of you may have national servicemen doing their full-time training under you. They are our citizen soldiers, who come from different backgrounds to live, train and fight together for our country. As their leader, you have a great responsibility to bring them together, foster teamwork, and transform them into a cohesive fighting unit. And key to all this is winning their hearts and minds, and getting them to understand why National Service is important, and believe in what they are doing.

Among the graduands today are two officers from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, one from the Malaysian Armed Forces, one from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and one from the Royal Thai Armed Forces. I hope the friendships you forged with your fellow SAF officers will remain strong, and serve to strengthen the bonds between our armed forces, and the friendship between our nations.

All our graduands today have done yourselves, your families and your nation proud. As newly commissioned officers in the Singapore Armed Forces, you are continuing a proud tradition of excellence and professionalism established by those who have served before you. I trust you will live up to these fine traditions, and dedicate yourselves to the peace and security of our Republic of Singapore.