Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong reviewed a commissioning parade at the SAFTI Military Institute (SAFTI MI) this evening. A total of 567 cadets, comprising 463 from the Army, 62 from the Navy and 42 from the Air Force, were commissioned as officers of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). As part of SAFTI MI’s 50th anniversary celebrations, PM Lee also unveiled a mural enshrining the images of the first batch of SAF officers on SAFTI’s grounds. The mural was donated by SAFTI’s pioneers in commemoration of the institute's golden jubilee.

Speaking at the parade, PM Lee said that SAFTI MI had transformed generation after generation, and is today a key institution of the SAF. "(SAFTI MI) produces and trains the SAF leaders of today and tomorrow. SAFTI graduates have built and transformed the SAF, and that is why starting from just two infantry battalions 50 years ago, the SAF is now a tri-service, 3rd Generation fighting force," he said. PM Lee also congratulated the commissioning cadets for completing their course, stating that today began the new chapter of their service to the SAF and to Singapore. He wished them every success in their appointments as SAF officers and told them to always remember to live up to the Officer's Creed.

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 was Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, Permanent Secretary (Defence) Mr Chan Yeng Kit, Chief of Defence Force Major-General Perry Lim, Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral Lai Chung Han, Chief of Air Force Brigadier-General Mervyn Tan, Chief of Army Brigadier-General Melvyn Ong, senior Ministry of Defence officials and SAF officers, as well as families and friends of the newly commissioned officers.