Reply to ST Forum Letter on Achieving Zero Fatalities During Training for the SAF

The SAF thanks Mr Loong Chik Tong, Mr Tan Teck Leng and Mr Kuan Kok Oon for their letters (SAF must Aim for Zero Fatality, Use Wearable Tech to Safeguard NSFs from Heatstroke and Protect Whistle-Blowers to find out what happened in NSF’s Death); May 3.

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) recognises and accepts the responsibility of ensuring the safety of each precious son that is entrusted to us during his National Service. Safety is a core value of the SAF and we are deeply saddened by the loss of CFC Dave Lee Han Xuan. We will do our best to assist his family in this difficult period.

We agree with Mr Loong that any death during NS training, even if rare, is one too many. The SAF does indeed seek to achieve zero fatality and will continually put in place safety systems to achieve this goal, as we train realistically to achieve our mission to protect Singapore against all threats. 

Heat injury and the more severe heat strokes are known complications among soldiers during training given Singapore’s hot and humid climate. Over the years, a number of measures have been put into place to counter heat strokes with no recorded fatalities for the past nine years. Measures include mandatory water parades before, during and after the training activity and temperature taking before the training. In CFC Dave Lee’s case, preliminary investigations show that these measures were taken and temperature recordings were normal prior to the activity.  

Commanders and soldiers are reminded look out for signs and symptoms of heat injuries during training.  In the event of heat injury, on-site cooling measures to be taken which include the removal of clothes and application of ice or water to the affected servicemen. The SAF Medical Centres have custom built evaporative body cooling units for affected servicemen. If the soldier’s condition is severe, he will be evacuated to the nearest hospital. All these measures were taken for CFC Dave Lee. We are deeply saddened and disappointed that despite these measures, his condition did not improve, resulting in his demise.   

The SAF will spare no efforts in improving our systems to achieve zero fatalities. Wearable technology for detection and prevention of heat injuries have been evaluated but as yet, have not provided definitive solutions to this vexing problem. We will continue to evaluate new ones as they appear. An external review panel comprising clinician doctors in the public healthcare sector will be convened to independently review the existing strategy for heat injury prevention and management in the SAF. As announced, a Committee of Inquiry has been convened to investigate fully the factors leading to the death of CFC Dave Lee.  Based on these findings, the SAF will take appropriate measures to improve our overall strategy against heat strokes to achieve zero fatalities. 

BG Kenneth Liow
Commander, Army Training Doctrine Command (TRADOC)