The retirement age for Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) military officers is 50 years old, and up to 55 years old for warrant officers and specialists. In view of their shorter careers with the SAF, MINDEF's Career Transition Resource Centre (CTRC) supports all such personnel with their transition to a second career upon their retirement from the SAF.
CTRC connects retiring SAF personnel to the corporate world by providing support such as:
Career advisory services
Career facilitation services
Career transition preparatory workshops
Industry talks/events and on-site visits
Lifelong Employability & Advancement Programme (LEAP) which provides retiring SAF personnel with funding and time-off to pursue industry-recognised certifications, attend job interviews, and undertake internships to jumpstart their civilian careers in their sector of interest.
In addition, CTRC partners with Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) and professional certification bodies to help retiring SAF personnel gain industry-recognised certifications and develop new skills.
CTRC also partners with industries to help employers better understand and recognise the value of our personnel's training, skills and competencies.
Through these resources, our retiring SAF personnel are better equipped and ready to continue to contribute to the growth of Singapore in various roles across different industries.
Skills Employers Value
SAF personnel bring with them professionalism, discipline, leadership — skills highly regarded by employers across sectors.
CTRC is a go-to resource for organisations looking to recruit talent. Many employers have found CTRC to be an ideal resource for their recruitment needs. If you are an employer looking to hire our transitioning SAF personnel, have internship opportunities to offer, or are interested to find out more about their skill sets, we welcome the opportunity to speak with you.
Contact us
📧 Email: CTRCHelpdesk@defence.gov.sg
Success Story: A Former Naval Officer’s Move into Tech HR
After 27 fulfilling years in the Navy, LTC (RET) Brian Lim was ready for a new chapter. Drawn to the fast-paced world of innovation, he set his sights on the tech industry — hoping to build a second career around his passion for working with people.
“I realised I loved to be able to add meaning and fulfilment to the work of others,” he said, reflecting on his roles in HR, operations, and training in the Navy.
To prepare for the transition, Brian networked actively and invested in professional development.
He earned the IHRP-Senior Professional (IHRP-SP) certification and completed a Master of Human Capital Leadership (MHCL) under the SMU Warriors Scholarship in 2021 — an initiative by the Singapore Management University for retiring SAF personnel.
His updated LinkedIn profile soon attracted interest from employers, and he eventually joined Singapore-based fintech firm M-DAQ as Senior Director of HR.
The shift to civilian life wasn’t without challenges. Brian had to adapt to a steep learning curve—communicating across 22 nationalities and juggling diverse, cross-functional projects.
But his adaptability, sincerity, and leadership — honed through years of military service — helped him quickly earn the trust of his new colleagues.
His advice to fellow SAF personnel: view your career transition as a time of discovery. “Always see how you can be better, each and every day, to add value to the organisation,” he said.
M-DAQ’s Founder and Group CEO, Richard Koh, agreed. “SAF personnel bring a set of unique skills — coming from a large organisation, they are adept at introducing structure and processes. To transition well, it's pivotal that they learn and re-learn, and Brian has adapted very well.”