877 Graduate as SAF Specialists and Military Experts

Senior Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Mr Desmond Tan inspecting the contingents on parade at the 61st Specialist Cadet Graduation Parade at Pasir Laba Camp.

Senior Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Mr Desmond Tan inspected the 61st Specialist Cadet Graduation Parade at Pasir Laba Camp this evening. A total of 877 graduands comprising 741 from the Singapore Army, 31 from the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), 51 from the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), and 54 from the Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS), graduated as Specialists and Military Experts of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). 

Addressing the graduands at the parade, Mr Tan emphasised the important role and commitment of the SAF to defend Singapore against a wide range of threats, safeguard our sovereignty, and protect our way of life, which in turn underpins Singapore’s prosperity and success. He highlighted the SAF’s continuous efforts to strengthen its capabilities amidst an evolving security landscape, including the addition of new assets such as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, the newly commissioned Invincible-class submarines and the Singapore Army’s Next-Generation Howitzers, as well as developments in training areas such as Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Australia and SAFTI City, which will enable service personnel to train in realistic environments.

Mr Tan also reaffirmed the SAF’s operational readiness, emphasising its recent deployments for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief missions. He said, “This year, the RSAF delivered medical and packed meal supplies to Gaza through Jordan and deployed transport aircraft to deliver aid to communities in our region that are affected by Typhoon Yagi and Tropical Storm Kristine. These efforts demonstrate the SAF’s capability to respond swiftly and effectively to global crises.” 

Mr Tan encouraged the graduands and reminded them of the values and responsibilities of leadership in the SAF. He said, “To the graduands here today, as you embark on this new chapter of service, I encourage you to embrace your role as leaders. Uphold the core values of the SAF, which will guide your decisions and actions as you navigate the challenges ahead. The journey ahead may sometimes be difficult, but I have full confidence that you will rise to the occasion with courage, honour, and determination. Leadership is an opportunity also for personal growth, even as you strive to inspire and to serve those around you.”

The graduation parade marked the completion of the 22-week Specialist Cadet Course for graduands from the Singapore Army, the RSN, the RSAF and the DIS, where they trained under rigorous and realistic conditions to sharpen their respective vocation expertise. The newly graduated Specialists and Military Experts will go on to assume command, training and staff appointments in the SAF. Present at the parade were senior SAF commanders, as well as families and friends of the graduands.

Mr Tan presenting the Golden Bayonet to Military Expert 1 Trainee Ong Wen Shun, Marcus from the Digital and Intelligence Service during the graduation parade.

Third Sergeant Reshma D/O Pulanthiradas from the Singapore Army having her chevron rank affixed by her family.

The Specialists and Military Experts tossing their headdresses at the end of the parade.

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SPEECH BY MR DESMOND TAN, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE, PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE, AT THE 61/2024 SPECIALIST CADET GRADUATION PARADE