903 Graduate as SAF Specialists and Military Experts

Chief Master Trainer, Specialist and Warrant Officer Institute, Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Omar Bin Osman (right) presenting the Golden Bayonet to Specialist Cadet (SCT) Zachary Michael Koh (left) from the Singapore Army.

A total of 903 cadets comprising 727 from the Singapore Army, 52 from the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), 100 from the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), and 24 from Joint have graduated as Specialists and Military Experts of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) on 12 November 2021.

In recognition of this significant milestone in the cadets' journey as new commanders in the SAF, the cadets will receive their bayonets at decentralised small-scale indoor parades held at Pasir Laba Camp and various Training Institutes from 12 to 18 November 2021. The cadets also brought home their ceremonial uniforms to capture the symbolic graduation photo where their family members and loved ones affixed their new ranks on them.

Addressing the graduands in a recorded video message as the Reviewing Officer of the proceedings, Senior Minister of State for Health and Manpower Dr Koh Poh Koon highlighted that the SAF has constantly stepped up to provide resources and expertise in the whole-of-society fight against COVID-19. He said, "Last April, when hundreds of daily infections were reported among migrant workers, 600 SAF personnel set up community recovery facilities in a matter of two weeks to house recovering migrant workers. Meanwhile, at the Community Care Facility in the EXPO, NSmen from the 2nd and 8th Combat Support Hospital were activated as part of their In-Camp Training to care for more than 5000 COVID patients. Most recently, more than 450 SAF personnel rose to the occasion to assist the Ministry of Health (MOH) with the home recovery programme. From where I am in MOH and the Ministry of Manpower, it is clear to me that the support of the SAF has fortified our national efforts in the fight against COVID-19, and has helped ensure that the sacrifices of our healthcare workers are not in vain."

Dr Koh also said that the graduands were becoming SAF leaders at a time when the world was in crisis, with the COVID-19 pandemic having a long-lasting impact on the geopolitical and security environment. He urged the graduands to remain resilient and ready to serve in the face of these complexities, and to do their utmost to fulfil the SAF's mission and to lead those under their care well.

The graduands from the Singapore Army, the RSN, the RSAF and Joint have completed the 22-week Specialist Cadet Course, where they trained under rigorous and realistic conditions to develop leadership and combat skills, and to deepen their respective vocational expertise.

3SG Iezaz SyazrulFazary Bin Mohd Fazil, an Artillery Specialist, is a Silver Bayonet recipient from the 49/2021 Specialist Cadet Course.

Senior Minister of State for Health and Manpower Dr Koh Poh Koon (on-screen) delivering his speech in a recorded video to the graduands of the 49/2021 Specialist Cadet Course.

Air Warfare Training Institute Command Chief, MWO Toh Kian Soon (right), presenting the Specialist Pride bayonet to Air Imagery Intelligence Expert ME1(T) Jingle Chai Jin Er (left).

3SG James Ong Jun Wei, a Deck Weapons Specialist from the Republic of Singapore Navy, having his rank affixed by his parents at home.

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