SAFTI 50 Celebrations

2016 marks SAFTI's 50th year since its establishment in 1966. SAFTI 50 is a significant milestone and a remarkable moment for the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) to celebrate the SAFTI Spirit and commemorate its traditions of excellence. To honour the men and women who were part of the SAFTI journey of achievements, heritage and progress, SAFTI MI is commemorating its milestone with a series of activities. This includes inviting Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to grace the 101/15 Officer Cadet Commissioning Parade as the Reviewing Officer, and holding the SAFTI 50 Dining-In in August to celebrate SAFTI's spirit and traditions.

The Early Beginnings

On 18 June 1966, the Singapore Armed Forces Training Institute (SAFTI) was officially opened by Dr Goh Keng Swee to train both Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) in the art of warfare and military leadership. On 16 June 1968, the then-Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, presented SAFTI with its Colours to recognise its progress and significant role in training military leaders for the SAF.

SAFTI Today

Today, SAFTI Military Institute conducts leadership development courses for all Three Officer Corps of SAF - the Officer Corps, the Warrant Officer Corps and the Military Expert Corps from across the three Services. It occupies an 88 hectare site along Upper Jurong Road, in between Pasir Laba Camp and Jurong Camp, and just south of the Nanyang Technological University. It has a built-up area of about 120,000 square metres and comprises buildings equipped with advanced facilities, incorporating the latest in office and building automation.

The education and training of SAF Leaders from all Three Officer Corps is done at four main levels, as represented by the Specialist and Warrant Officer Institute, Officer Cadet School, the SAF Advanced Schools, and the Goh Keng Swee Command and Staff College. These schools, and their Army, Navy and Air Force components, had different beginnings at different locations, but they now function as part of a cohesive and unified whole within SAFTI Military Institute. SAFTI therefore mirrors the SAF's progress in getting SAF Leaders to think and to operate jointly.

Alongside these schools, SAFTI Military Institute also houses the Centre for Learning Systems, Centre for Leadership Development, Centre for Operational Learning, Institute for Military Learning and the SAFTI Library, which provide further support to the training and education of SAF leaders across all three Services.