Speech by Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs Lui Tuck Yew, at the 82/11 Officer Cadet Course Commissioning Parade

Graduands of the Officer Cadet Course,
Parents and loved ones,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

A very good evening, To all Officer Cadet Graduands today, let me extend my heartiest congratulations to all of you for successfully completing the Officer Cadet Course. It has been 38 weeks of tough, demanding and rigorous training. You have passed the test and you are now ready to be commissioned as Officers of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). I know that this is a proud moment for all of you, especially for your loved ones. They have, over the course of the past year, seen you grow up to be fighting-fit young men. I know they must be very proud of you and they are waiting to pin new epaulets on your shoulders to signify your new rank and your new status. With this high honour of being an officer of the SAF comes the important responsibility of training the men and women under your charge and leading them into battle when you are called upon to defend Singapore. Many of you will be leading full-time National Servicemen in your new postings. The men you lead will come from diverse backgrounds that reflect the changing demographics of our country; and they will bring with them different beliefs, expectations and attitudes towards National Service. As their commander, your role is to build on their strengths and capabilities and make good soldiers out of all of them. Mould them into a cohesive fighting unit with a deep sense of mission and purpose.

You are their leader and you are their commander; but you are also their guide and their mentor. You must help them to adjust to life in National Service and help them to understand the abiding importance of having a strong defence for our country. As their leader, you will answer for the readiness, training, morale and discipline of your soldiers. Train them hard, push them, but keep them safe. Even as you demand high standards from your men, look after them and ensure that tough and realistic training is carried out safely. Lead by example. Your men will watch what you do closely, more so during the times when you are undergoing rigorous, strenuous and stressful training together. You need to uphold high personal standards and discipline to match your words with actions, and to show care and conviction. Only then will you win the hearts and minds of your men. To be a good leader, you must also stay physically fit.

Strive to execute your mission successfully, with perseverance; whether in training, during an exercise or when you are under assessment. When faced with unfamiliar situations and challenges, you must pull the team together and help them all to overcome adversity with courage, fortitude and determination. Always remember what you have been trained to do - to lead, to excel, and to overcome. I am confident that after 38 weeks of rigorous and testing training, you have the character, qualities and attributes that the SAF demands from all its Officers. You will be able to provide the forward-looking and vigorous leadership that is needed to deal with any security challenges that our country may face in the years to come.

So let me once again congratulate each and every one of you. It is a special moment for you, a proud moment for all your families and loved ones. I wish you all the very best as you fulfill your duties as commissioned officers of the SAF. Thank you.

More Resources

303 Commissioned as SAF Officers