New Chief of Army Takes Command

Outgoing Chief of Army Major-General (MG) Melvyn Ong Su Kiat (left) handing over the command symbol to incoming Chief of Army Brigadier-General (BG) Goh Si Hou (right) at the Change of Command Parade held at Pasir Laba Camp.

The Singapore Army welcomed its new Chief of Army (COA) today as Major-General (MG) Melvyn Ong Su Kiat handed over the Symbol of Command to Brigadier-General (BG) Goh Si Hou at a Change of Command Parade held this evening at Pasir Laba Camp.

At the parade, MG Ong reviewed the Guard of Honour contingents comprising soldiers from the Commando and Guards Formations, and 10 supporting contingents from across the Army's different Formations. 

At his farewell speech to the Army during the parade, MG Ong shared on the Army's motto 'Army Ready, Soldier Strong', saying that "These are not mere words on a parchment. These words have been etched into our minds and manifested into decisive actions. That is why we staged the largest mobilisation and equipping exercise that the Army has seen in the last ten years to sharpen our operational readiness... Launched the Island Defence Training Institute (IDTI) to better prepare our soldiers for homeland security operations… Established the Centre of Excellence for Soldier Performance (CESP) because we believe that there is a better way, a more scientific, a data-driven approach to building strong soldiers and strong units like those that you see before us… Made plans to revamp the SAFTI training area into "SAFTI City" -- a realistic dense urban environment to train the Next-Generation Army… And we did all this, together."

The new COA, BG Goh Si Hou, 40, joined the SAF in 1997. As Commander 6th Singapore Division, he oversaw the development of the new Combined Arms Training Centre to strengthen the Army's training system, and led the Division through key Army exercises and bilateral training with foreign partners. As Assistant Chief of General Staff (Plans), he charted the long-term transformation plans for the Army to meet emerging security threats and NS resource challenges through force restructuring and new operational concepts. In his earlier appointments in MINDEF, BG Goh led the implementation of new military career schemes to enhance recruitment and retention for the SAF. He also headed a project office supporting the Committee to Strengthen National Service, which led to initiatives such as the formation of the SAF Volunteer Corps. BG Goh served previously as Commanding Officer, 20th Battalion Singapore Artillery and Commander 3rd Division Artillery. In these appointments, he also led the public outreach and engagement efforts for National Day Parade 2009 and 2013.

The parade was witnessed by Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General (LG) Perry Lim Cheng Yeow. This change of command is part of the SAF's continued process of leadership renewal.

MG Ong inspecting the Guard of Honour contingent.

BG Goh taking oath as the new Chief of Army at the Change of Command Parade this evening.