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335 Commissioned as SAF Officers
19 September 2016
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Minister for Social and Family Development Mr Tan Chuan-Jin reviewed a commissioning parade at the SAFTI Military Institute this evening. A total of 335 cadets, comprising 270 from the Army and 65 from the Air Force, were commissioned as officers of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).
Speaking at the parade, Mr Tan reminded the graduands of why they are defending Singapore, and the importance of people as Singapore's resource to national defence. He said: "Our people are why we exist. It is always about our people – our parents, our brothers, sisters, our wives, our friends - because they give our lives meaning. They give meaning to the word home. They make our world, they make our nation. They are why we defend Singapore. And we should never forget this. But our people are also the ones that defend our nation. We all know that our people are also our only resource. Our people make things happen. In every one of our operations in the military, it is always our people that have enabled us to achieve mission success. When the Indian Ocean Tsunami struck on Boxing Day 2004, within 4 days we were ready and we sailed off into the unknown on the fifth day, New Year's Eve. When our nation called, our people responded. They put our duties and responsibilities before self. They flew our flag with pride. This is loyalty."
Mr Tan also shared his perspectives on effective leadership. He said: "Shortly, we will be commissioning you as Second Lieutenants in the Singapore Armed Forces. You will have the authority that comes with that rank. You will command and others will do what they need to. Is this who you are? But never mistake form for reality. Because you only begin to lead when you earn the trust and respect of your men. When that happens, they will not just do. They will run as lions and they will soar as eagles. And that is our role as leaders. We lead so that others will follow. They follow only because they trust and respect us. And they trust and respect us because of who we are."
The parade marked the completion of 38 weeks of rigorous training at the Officer Cadet School. The realistic training conducted during the course sharpened the cadets' combat, planning and leadership skills. The newly commissioned officers will go on to assume command, instructional or staff appointments in the SAF. Also present at the parade were senior Ministry of Defence officials and SAF officers, as well as families and friends of the newly commissioned officers.
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