Speech by President, Tony Tan Keng Yam, at the 91/13 Officer Cadet Course Commissioning Parade

Graduands of the 91/13 Officer Cadet Course
Parents
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

To all graduands on parade today, congratulations on successfully completing the Officer Cadet Course. After many months of rigorous military training, you will soon take your place in the Singapore Armed Forces Officer Corps to lead our men and women in the SAF to safeguard the sovereignty and security of Singapore.

Singapore has developed into a thriving metropolis over the past forty-eight years. A strong defence has played a critical role in ensuring Singapore’s steady progress since independence. A strong and credible SAF has helped to deter potential aggression and given us confidence to steer a steady course in an uncertain world.

The world in which we live in has become more complex. Our region is becoming more volatile with potential flashpoints as countries modernise their militaries. With the rise of terrorism, piracy and natural disasters, the security challenges facing countries have also become more complex.

The SAF has expanded its capabilities to ensure that it continues to be ready to defend Singapore in the face of widening security challenges. The SAF today is capable of conducting a full spectrum of operations to handle conventional and non-conventional threats. Just last December, the SAF conducted one of its most complex exercises, Exercise Forging Sabre in Phoenix, Arizona, which demonstrated its ability to conduct integrated strikes against moving targets in both day and night mission scenarios. The month before, the SAF and nineteen other agencies proved their ability to act in concert to counter multiple terrorist attacks on land and from the sea at Exercise High Crest, achieving Full Operational Capability for the National Maritime Security System.

The SAF has also contributed to international security operations, recognising that the multi-faceted and transnational nature of threats means that what happens in one part of the world can have serious repercussions on our region and our country's security. The SAF will be deploying a fifth Task Group, consisting of a Frigate and a Naval Helicopter, to the Gulf of Aden from March to June this year to counter piracy and keep international sea lines of communications safe and secure. The SAF also recently concluded its longest and most challenging peace-support mission in Afghanistan, which contributed towards the multinational stabilisation and reconstruction efforts there, and the fight against global terrorism.

Indeed, the SAF today is an advanced military force, with cutting-edge weaponry and advanced fighting concepts. However, it is always the men and women of the SAF that makes the SAF strong. As officers, your leadership will determine how well these men and women will be able to defend Singapore and how committed they will be to this honourable cause.

The SAF is a National Service force. Many of you will lead full-time National Servicemen who come from diverse backgrounds. They will carry with them different beliefs, expectations and attitudes. As their commander, you must help them understand and internalise the importance of National Service. Give them a sense of purpose and mission. Help them appreciate that they have something worth fighting for. The generations before you have done their duty to keep Singapore safe and secure. It is now your turn to step up and inspire the people under your charge to defend our home, protect our families and secure our future and our way of life.  You are not alone in this undertaking. The Committee to Strengthen National Service convened by MINDEF found that many NSFs and NSmen were willing to take on bigger NS responsibilities. Singaporeans who are not NS-liable would also like to contribute as volunteers. These findings were based on feedback provided by over 22,000 NSFs, NSmen and members of the public. I am confident that as the Committee continues to consult widely for its work, we can shape and strengthen National Service to support Singapore's continued success.

As an officer, lead by example and demonstrate your own deep sense of purpose and mission in serving NS. Strive for excellence, and uphold the highest standards of discipline and professionalism. Train your people hard but always have their safety and well-being at heart. Only then will you be able to earn their respect and trust.

Over the years, OCS has witnessed a number of international cadets commissioned on these parade grounds. I am pleased to see that commissioning with you today is an officer from the Malaysian Armed Forces. Your graduation here bears testament to the warm and close ties between our two countries. This bodes well for us as security cooperation is increasingly important, as the world becomes more interdependent and the threats facing us are increasingly transnational. To all on the parade square, your commissioning as officers of the SAF is a proud and defining moment for you and your families and friends. It affirms our nation's trust and confidence in you. The training that you have received and the values that have been imbued in you place you in good stead to serve as leaders in the SAF. Hold fast to the SAF's Core Values and draw strength from the Officer's Creed. Carry out your duties to the best of your abilities and always uphold the OCS motto: 'To Lead, To Excel, To Overcome.'Thank you.