Minister for Education (Schools) and Second Minister for Transport, Mr Ng Chee Meng, reviewed a commissioning parade at the SAFTI Military Institute this evening. A total of 307 cadets, comprising 248 from the Army, 31 from the Navy and 28 from the Air Force, were commissioned as officers of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

Speaking at the parade, Mr Ng underscored the important role the SAF continues to play with the ever-evolving threats faced by Singapore, and reminded the graduands not to take our peace and stability for granted. He said, "A strong SAF gives Singaporeans the confidence to live, work, play and pursue our dreams. A strong SAF also supports Singapore's diplomatic space to secure our national interests…This year marks the 75th anniversary of the fall of Singapore in WWII. It is a stark reminder of the fragility of the peace and what is at stake. The threats today are just as real - geopolitical uncertainties, the terrorism threat, cyber-attacks, misinformation and fake news pose challenges to our security and even unity. The SAF must therefore remain vigilant, adapt and develop capabilities to meet these threats."

Mr Ng also spoke to the graduands on the importance of leadership. He said, "As military leaders of the SAF, you play a significant role in this national mission. You are integral in not only leading our armed forces in the battlefield, but also shaping our nation's future through the many young men and women who you will lead. In the days to come, you will face unfamiliar situations and probably seemingly insurmountable challenges. To prepare yourselves, you, as leaders, must possess an unshakable integrity and the humility to keep improving yourselves."

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.