Speeches
Speech by Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister for Digital Development and Information, and Minister-in-Charge of Cybersecurity & Smart Nation Group at the 142/25 Officer Cadet Course Commissioning Parade on 12 September 2026, SAFTI MI
12 September 2026
My Parliamentary colleague, Mr Victor Lye
Graduands of the 142/25 Officer Cadet Course,
Parents and Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
INTRODUCTION
A very good evening, and my heartiest congratulations to all the graduands here today.
Nine months ago, many of you arrived at Officer Cadet School not fully knowing what lay ahead. Since then, you have been tested physically, mentally and emotionally. Through tough and demanding training, you have grown both as individuals and as leaders.
This evening, you stand before your families, transformed by these experiences and ready to take on greater responsibilities. But no one reaches a milestone like this alone.
To the parents, family members and loved ones here, thank you for your unwavering support and sacrifice. Throughout this journey, you have been a source of strength and encouragement. This achievement belongs to you as well.
I would also like to acknowledge the instructors here today. Your countless hours of coaching have done more than prepare future Officers. You have shaped their character, strengthened their confidence and steeled them to take on the mantle of leadership.
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF OFFICERSHIP
For our graduands, tonight marks more than the completion of a course. It marks the beginning of a new chapter.
Very soon, you will take on the privilege and responsibility of leading men and women of the SAF. Many of you will stand before soldiers and airmen for the first time as their Officer. Some may be older than you. Some may come from very different backgrounds than you do. But these differences need not stand in the way of good leadership.
Rank may give you the authority to lead. But it is your character and actions that will earn the trust of your colleagues. Your training in OCS has prepared you for this responsibility - in skills, knowledge and having the right character.
We see this in Officer Cadet Zhou Yu Shan from the Infantry. After suffering a stress fracture during training, Yu Shan spent months away from the course. Instead of lamenting the situation, she focused on returning stronger. Throughout the months of rehabilitation and recovery, she remained determined to regain lost ground. She worked doubly hard to catch up and even completed the gruelling Jungle Confidence Course.
Over at Air Wing, Officer Cadet Jaime Tan showed the importance of resilience and perseverance. After a series of setbacks, Jamie came close to failing the course. Instead of being discouraged, she devoted additional hours to sharpening her skills, proactively seeking feedback from her instructors, and working relentlessly to improve. Not only did Jaime meet the requirements to graduate, she received both the Best Knowledge Award and the Best Physical Training Award.
The path taken by Officer Cadet Hemman S/O Rames teaches us yet another lesson. After graduating as an Artillery Specialist and completing his National Service, Hemman chose to step forward once more by signing on and embarking on the demanding journey of becoming an Artillery Officer. He excelled, but it is through his humility and selflessness that Hemman earned the respect of his peers. This evening, he stands before us as a recipient of the Sword of Honour and Winner of the Golden Canon Award.
Yu Shan, Jaime and Hemman, congratulations. Your journeys were different, but each of you demonstrated something fundamental about leadership; that is self-awareness, the resilience to persevere, and the conviction to step forward when challenged.
These qualities have carried you through OCS. Now as Officers, they must grow into something more; that is the moral courage to do what is right, and the ability to earn the trust of those you lead. These qualities will matter even more because as you deal with greater complexity and volatility, you will continually be tested.
LEADING IN A CHANGING WORLD
In my work overseeing Singapore's digital developments, I am reminded that technology often runs ahead of organisations’ abilities to manage them. New tools emerge every year, bringing both opportunity and threat of disruption. Yet trust, judgement, and most of all leadership, remain the qualities that determine whether technology strengthens an organisation or weakens it.
The security challenges we face today are no longer confined to the traditional domains of land, sea and air. Hostile actors can spread misinformation through social media, target critical infrastructure through cyberattacks, and exploit divisions within our society.
These threats are not theoretical. In July last year, our telco sector experienced a cyberattack by UNC 3886, a group known for its advanced capabilities, persistence and likely links to a foreign state.
Fortunately, our daily lives were not impacted. But this was only because the cyberattack was discovered early enough and also because we were able to mount a united response.
More than 100 cyber defenders across six agencies, including the SAF’s Digital and Intelligence Service, carried out Operation CYBER GUARDIAN, Singapore’s largest coordinated cyber response to date. Faced with uncertainty, our cyber defenders had to learn quickly, work across organisational boundaries, and make difficult decisions with incomplete information.
In many ways, these are not so different from the qualities we saw in Yu Shan, Jaime and Hemman. When a situation is uncertain, we look for leaders who are prepared to step forward, contribute selflessly, and take initiative. These are the enduring values that would allow Singapore to triumph in crisis after crisis.
Even as technology changes the nature of warfare, we should uphold these fundamentals of leadership. Technology cannot replace moral courage, sound judgement, and the trust between a commander and those he or she leads.
CONCLUSION
As Officers, you will be entrusted with the lives and well-being of the men and women under your charge. There will be many occasions when information is incomplete and trade-offs are inevitable. A poorly made decision may also be costly.
In these moments, remember that leadership is not about having all the answers. It is about taking responsibility for your people and growing the trust between you over time.
In times of hardship, look to your families and loved ones. Their unwavering support will be a constant reminder of why you serve.
This evening, Singapore entrusts you with the privilege of command. Tomorrow, you begin earning the trust that gives it meaning.
Congratulations once again on your commissioning. Remember your purpose: To Lead, To Excel, To Overcome.
Thank you.
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