President Commissions 2016's First Batch of SAF Officers

President Tony Tan Keng Yam inspecting the Officer Cadet contingents at the 99th Officer Cadet Course Commissioning Parade held at SAFTI Military Institute.

President Tony Tan Keng Yam reviewed a commissioning parade at the SAFTI Military Institute this evening. A total of 582 cadets, comprising 454 from the Army, 66 from the Navy and 62 from the Air Force, were commissioned as officers of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

Speaking at the parade, President Tan highlighted the real and present threats that continue to confront Singapore and the region. He said, "Just three days ago, in Jakarta, a group of gunmen launched a series of gun and bomb attacks in the heart of a busy commercial district, which left eight people dead and more than 18 wounded. These heinous acts are a stark reminder that terrorism is a real and severe threat to our security." He exhorted the graduands that as officers in the SAF, they must embrace the same convictions of our pioneers. "SAF officers today must carry on in the same indomitable spirit of our pioneers to overcome the new challenges on the horizon and lead us into the next chapter of the Singapore story. They must embrace the same convictions and lead the men and women under their charge in the firm belief that we can only depend on ourselves to defend our country and our way of life," President Tan added.

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 were Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, senior Ministry of Defence officials and SAF officers, as well as families and friends of the newly commissioned officers.

President Tan presenting the Sword of Honour to Armour Officer Cadet Samuel Mirpuri from the Singapore Army.

Madam Ng Siew Kim affixing the officer rank epaulettes on her triplet sons' uniforms, OCT Phuah Wei Ke, OCT Phuah Wei Deng and OCT Phuah Wei Yuan.

The newly-commissioned officers tossing their peak caps to mark the completion of their 38-week course.

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Speech by the President of the Republic of Singapore Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam at the 99/15 Officer Cadet Course Commissioning Parade at SAFTI Military Institute