Speech by Senior Parliamentary Secretary Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman at the 3rd SAF Senior Military Expert Appointment Ceremony

Chief of Army,
Graduands of the SAF Senior Military Experts Course,
Parents and loved ones, 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
A very good evening,

I am honoured to join you at this important milestone as you embark on your service to the nation as Expert Officers of the Singapore Armed Forces. This is a high honour and I know it is a proud moment for all of you. Congratulations for having successfully completed the Senior Military Experts Course. I understand that it was a tough, demanding and rigorous course that provided you with leadership and professional knowledge in your respective domain areas. I also want to recognise the support provided by your family and loved ones throughout this journey. To all the family and loved ones present here - Thank you for your support. Can you please give them a big round of applause.

The 3rd Generation SAF leverages on technology to build a potent force that can see first and respond decisively. This enables the SAF to achieve its mission of deterrence, and should deterrence fail, to effect a swift and decisive victory over the would-be aggressors. An increasingly complex and technologically advanced SAF requires competent and experienced personnel to operate and maintain our systems. In partnership with the Officers and WOSPECs, Military Experts play a critical role in anchoring expertise knowledge in key domains such as Engineering, Intelligence and Military Medicine. This provides a capability edge for the 3rd Generation SAF.

Military Experts play a critical role, crucial in the SAF's everyday operations. Military Engineers ensure that the SAF's tanks, aircrafts and ships are operationally effective and are sustained at a high level of readiness. Military Intelligence Experts collate and analyse information to assess potential threats and prescribe action to preserve the security of Singapore, while the Military Medicine Experts provide professional medical services for our soldiers.

Military Experts have also contributed directly to mission success in overseas operations. A prime example is the engineering support for the Weapon Locating Radar (WLR) that was deployed in Afghanistan. The radar provides early warning for the coalition forces against enemy rocket fire. When the SAF was asked to extend the deployment of the radar from 9 to 15 months, the advice from the radar manufacturers and other armies was that the radar could not sustain this operation as it was not designed to do so. Our Army Engineers were determined to make it possible. Through innovative design enhancements, on the battlefield of Afghanistan, our Army Engineers sustained the radar for another 6 months and the WLR team achieved mission success by detecting all incoming enemy rockets. This culminated in our Army Engineers being awarded the prestigious Defence Technology Prize, which is a national-level award that recognises outstanding contributions in defence science and technology. Military Experts also contribute as part of the SAF's imagery analysis and the medical teams in Afghanistan

In the Gulf of Aden, the RSN's Military Experts specialising in Communications Systems provided support to the Combined Task Force 151. The team used an SAF-developed system to establish communication linkages with ships not equipped with NATO systems. This enabled greater integration which contributed significantly to mission success. These stories highlight the achievements of Military Experts in operations and should be an inspiration for how deep expertise can contribute directly to mission success.

As Expert Officers, you will require time and rigorous training to build deep expertise. The Military Domain Experts Scheme is designed to achieve this through a nurturing framework that will fully develop your potential. There will be extensive professional development and continuing education opportunities throughout your career. Besides building a depth of competency in your niche areas, there is also a need to develop a breadth of professional military competencies that will enable you to better contribute to the mission success of the SAF.

The Sword-of-Honour for this cohort, ME4 Leong Yew Kay, was sponsored for a Specialist Diploma in Learning Sciences and has since used the knowledge gained to enhance instructional excellence in the RSN. ME4 Leong led efforts to benchmark training to National standards by seeking the Workforce Development Agency (WDA) accreditation for the Advanced Certificate in Training and Assessment (ACTA) programme for instructors. Well done!

While MDES places a premium on skills, expertise and knowledge, you must also have the right values to lead. This can be achieved by embracing the SAF core values and leading by example. You must also have a positive attitude that constantly seeks to better the status quo. This will lead to continuous improvement and innovation in the SAF. An example of innovation was the design of an infra-red light detector by Air Force Engineers that enabled the serviceability tests for the Chinook Helicopter to be carried out in the day. Previously, this could only be done at night with the use of night vision goggles. Besides improving productivity, this has also enhanced the safety of the Chinook Helicopter operations. Anchored on values, a positive attitude, and a high level of personal mastery, you will be positioned to lead as Expert Officers in your respective professional military domains.

As leaders in MDES, it is also your responsibility to shape the ethos, culture and tradition of Military Experts. It is important to create a unique MDES identity defined by expertise. This can be reinforced through a display of professionalism and deep competency. Look ahead and I believe you will forge a stronger MDES identity that the SAF can be proud of.

It now gives me great pleasure to appoint you Senior Military Experts as you join 71 other Senior Military Experts who have been appointed since the launch of the MDES scheme. I am confident you will discharge your duties professionally and with the highest standards. I wish you all the best as you embark on your journey as Expert Officers of the SAF. Congratulations and thank you.

More Resources

40 Graduate as SAF Senior Military Experts