Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen officiated at the Goh Keng Swee Command and Staff College (GKS CSC) Command and Staff Course (CSC) 2017 Graduation Ceremony held at the Istana this evening. This year's ceremony marked the completion of the 48th CSC, 18th CSC (National Service), as well as the 8th and 9th CSC (Executive). The 225 graduates comprised 123 regular officers, 56 National Service (NS) officers, 31 military experts (ME), one warrant officer from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), and 14 international officers from eleven countries -- Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.

At the ceremony, Dr Ng presented awards to seven top graduates: Major (MAJ) Tan Nan An Harris, MAJ Chian Wei Chong Benson and ME6 Lim Chi Keong Reuben, who received the Top Army, Navy and Air Force Graduate Awards respectively in the 48th CSC; Captain (NS) Leow Kah Shin and MAJ (NS) Ang Wee Han, who received the Top Army and Navy Graduate Awards in the 18th CSC (NS); as well as MAJ Fong Chan Whye and MAJ Foo Wei Jie, who topped the 8th and 9th CSC (Executive) respectively. Dr Ng also presented awards to 19 distinguished graduates and graduation certificates to the 14 international officers. The CSC, CSC (NS) and CSC (Executive) prepare officers for senior command and staff appointments in the SAF, and are the highest level of formal military education offered in Singapore for Regular, NS and international officers.

Acknowledging the transnational threats that are closer to home and increasing expectations on the SAF and the Home Team to safeguard Singapore's peace and security, Dr Ng emphasised the importance of good leaders who can take on these responsibilities. He said, "strong leadership is paramount -- leaders who understand the risks, and who make good judgements on how to address threats effectively with resources available. In this environment, we need leaders who are alert and nimble, who step up to own problems, and have that strong inner voice to want to keep Singapore and Singaporeans safe."

Celebrating 50 years of National Service (NS50), Dr Ng also highlihted the need for NS to change with the times. He added, "Over the past two decades, the SAF has successfully completed its 3G transformation. But to remain responsive and effective, even though we have changed considerably, the SAF will have to continually evolve into the Next Gen SAF, different from today. The roles and responsibilities of NS commanders must keep pace with that of the SAF."

Dr Ng also spoke about how the course prepares graduates for greater roles and larger responsibilities, and urged the graduates to continue to uphold the high standards as they lead their men. He encouraged the graduates saying that, "As leaders, the SAF depends on you to lead your units through these changes -- and there will be many. As graduates of the GKS CSC, I urge you to lead your men with courage and conviction. Treat and train them well to guard Singapore, with their lives if need be, to keep Singaporeans safe."

Earlier this morning, the Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant-General Perry Lim had presented the graduation certificates to all the 211 SAF graduates at the SAF Military Institute.