121 Appointed as SAF Senior Military Experts

The graduands of the 11th Senior Military Expert Appointment Ceremony.

Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Ong Ye Kung officiated at the 11th Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Senior Military Experts Appointment Ceremony (SMEAC) at SAFTI Military Institute this evening, where 121 servicemen and servicewomen were appointed as senior military experts. The graduating cohort comprised 23 from the Singapore Army, 26 from the Republic of Singapore Navy, 58 from the Republic of Singapore Air Force and 14 from Joint.

During his speech, Mr Ong said that the SAF today is a credible and professional armed force, capable of protecting our nation and conducting a wide spectrum of operations. He highlighted the importance of maintaining a leading edge in innovation and technology to ensure mission success. "We have punched above our weight on many occasion, regionally and beyond. This was the result of deliberate planning, dedicated leaders, and a strong will for the SAF to maintain a leading edge in innovation and technology to ensure mission success. This is an edge that we will maintain, especially in our increasingly complex security environment ," he said.

Mr Ong shared on the importance of the Military Expert Corps in ensuring that the SAF’s fighting edge remains sharp. Exhorting the graduands to lead innovation and technology to strengthen the SAF, he said, "A strong SAF with deep expertise, especially in the strategic and critical areas that define the core capabilities of the SAF, is ever more necessary today. To go far, you must be prepared to go deep, and hence the strategic importance of the Military Experts Corps. It is a strategic capability that enables the SAF to see further, learn faster, and integrate its systems better. Today, we have strong game-changing solutions to keep our fighting edge sharp".

The SMEAC marked the completion of the Military Domain Experts Course, which trains military experts to assume roles in the SAF where in-depth expertise in areas such as engineering, intelligence and military medicine is required. The training conducted during the course developed and honed the military experts' leadership competency, military domain knowledge and specialised skills. The newly appointed senior military experts will move on to assume command or staff appointments in their professional areas.

Also present at the ceremony was Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Perry Lim, senior SAF officers as well as families and friends of the graduands.

Senior Minister of State Mr Ong Ye Kung (second from right) interacting with the graduands.

ME4 Alvina Tao's mother Mrs Maria Pang (right) affixing the ME4 epaulettes.

SMS Ong presenting the Sword of Honour (SOH) to the ME4 Alvina Tao.

SMS Ong delivering a speech at the 11th SMEAC.

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Speech by Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Ong Ye Kung at the 11th SAF Senior Military Experts Appointment Ceremony on 22 July 2016 at SAFTI Military Institute