81 Appointed As SAF Senior Military Experts

Senior Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman officiated at the 12th Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Senior Military Experts Appointment Ceremony (SMEAC) at SAFTI Military Institute this evening, where 81 servicemen and servicewomen were appointed as Senior Military Experts. The graduating cohort comprised 17 from the Singapore Army, 23 from the Republic of Singapore Navy, 25 from the Republic of Singapore Air Force and 16 from Joint.

During his speech, Dr Maliki highlighted the importance of Senior Military Experts in providing leadership for the SAF in technical expertise and professional domain areas such as engineering, intelligence, military medicine and military music. Amidst the current security environment of radicalised individuals returning home after fighting for the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), unresolved issues like the South China Sea disputes, and Singapore's ageing population and low birth-rates, Dr Maliki also spoke on the role of Military Experts in ensuring that the SAF was always operationally ready. He said, "As Singapore faces more complex security challenges, we must constantly be forward looking and innovative to ensure that the SAF is always operationally ready. We depend on you, the Military Experts, to push the operational and technological boundaries of your specialist domains, while working with each other, the rest of MINDEF and the SAF, as well as commercial partners, to develop and deliver solutions that help us be better and sharper."

Dr Maliki thanked the family members and loved ones present at the ceremony for their unstinting support given to the graduates over the years. He also congratulated the newly-appointed Senior Military Experts and emphasised the importance of their leadership role. He said, "We will count on you as Senior Military Experts to achieve mission success, to serve with integrity and passion, and to inspire and motivate those under you to do their best for the nation. Your contributions are critical to ensure that the 3rd generation SAF always remains credible and operationally ready".  

The SMEAC marked the completion of the Military Domain Experts Course, which trains military experts to assume roles in the SAF where in-depth expertise in areas such as engineering, intelligence and military medicine is required. The training conducted during the course developed and honed the military experts' leadership competency, military domain knowledge and specialised skills. The newly-appointed Senior Military Experts will move on to assume command or staff appointments in their professional areas.

Also present at the ceremony was Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral (RADM) Lai Chung Han, senior SAF officers as well as families and friends of the graduates.

More Resources

• Speech by Senior Minister of State For Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, for the 12th SAF Senior Military Experts Appointment Ceremony, on 7 Dec 16, 1850hrs, at SAFTI Military Institute

• Fact Sheet: Military Domain Experts Scheme