89 Appointed as Senior Military Experts

Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Heng Chee How presenting the Sword of Honour to Military Expert ME4 Lim Qi Liang William at the 16th Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Senior Military Expert Appointment Ceremony.

Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Heng Chee How officiated at the 16th Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Senior Military Expert Appointment Ceremony at Temasek Club this evening, where 89 servicemen and women were appointed as Senior Military Experts (MEs). The graduating cohort comprised 12 from the Singapore Army, 39 from the Republic of Singapore Navy, 20 from the Republic of Singapore Air Force and 18 from Joint.

At the ceremony, Mr Heng reminded the newly-appointed Senior MEs of their core mission and the critical role that our servicemen and women play in upholding the sovereignty and security of Singapore. He said, "Defending our nation goes beyond just protecting the buildings and roads that we see around us. At its very core, it is a mission to ensure a safe and secure home for our families, friends, loved ones as well as for our future generations... You are the key ingredient for the SAF to be always operationally ready to uphold our sovereignty. If and when the SAF is called upon, we will do so with an ironclad resolve."

Mr Heng also highlighted the SAF's commitment in developing domain experts to deal with today's evolving security challenges. He said, "In the face of increasingly complex security challenges, the depth of knowledge in various fields including intelligence, engineering and cyber defence is a need, no longer a good-to-have. The Military Domain Experts Scheme was introduced in the year 2010 for that very purpose, namely to train and groom domain experts in the SAF. The scheme has been very successful and till date, more than 1000 Senior MEs have graduated, each continually sharpening their craft to serve and protect our nation." 

This evening's ceremony marked the completion of the Military Domain Experts Course, which trains MEs 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 ME's leadership competency, military domain knowledge and specialised skills. The newly-appointed Senior MEs will move on to assume command or staff appointments in their professional areas.

Also present at the ceremony was Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Melvyn Ong, senior SAF officers as well as families and friends of the graduands.

Mr Heng (second from left) with Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Melvyn Ong (far left) and Chief of Air Force Major-General Mervyn Tan (third from left) interacting with ME4 Ng Zhi Long Benjamin and his family prior to the ceremony at Temasek Club this evening.

Mr Heng delivering a speech during the ceremony.

ME4 Shaune Lin Liling having her ME4 rank epaulette affixed on her uniform by her mother.

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Speech by Senior Minister of State for Defence, Mr Heng Chee How at the 16th SAF Senior Military Expert Appointment Ceremony