Senior Minister of State for Defence, Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, reviewed the 26th Specialist Cadet Graduation Parade at Pasir Laba Camp this evening. A total of 1,174 Specialist Cadets from the Singapore Army, the Republic of Singapore Navy and the Republic of Singapore Air Force graduated as Specialists of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

Speaking to the graduands at the parade, Dr Maliki reminded them of their role as leaders of the SAF in inspiring support for a strong defence. He said, "A strong and capable SAF is not possible without the continued commitment and fighting spirit of our people... Therefore, we depend on you, as newly minted Specialists and leaders of the SAF, to help the men and women under your charge understand and internalise the importance of a strong defence."

Dr Maliki also noted that the security environment today has become complex and volatile, citing Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the recent terrorist attack in Jakarta as examples. Highlighting the Specialists' duty in maintaining Singapore’s peace and security, he said, "Today, the SAF is a modern and networked force, and stands ready and capable of conducting a wide spectrum of operations… Generations before you have done their duty to keep Singapore safe and secure, and we now look to you to take on the responsibility of defending our home, to keep our nation safe and strong for the years ahead."

The graduation parade marked the completion of the 22-week Specialist Cadet Course, where the graduands trained under rigorous and realistic conditions to develop leadership and combat skills, and deepen their understanding of the other vocations in the SAF. Present at the parade were families and friends of the graduands and senior SAF officers.