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1,134 Graduate as SAF Specialists
24 August 2017
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Senior Minister of State for Communication & Information and Education, Dr Janil Puthucheary, reviewed the 32nd Specialist Cadet Graduation Parade at Pasir Laba Camp this evening. A total of 1,134 Specialist Cadets comprising 1,018 from the Singapore Army, 63 from the Republic of Singapore Navy and 53 from the Republic of Singapore Air Force graduated as Specialists of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).
Addressing the graduands at the parade, Dr Puthucheary underscored National Service (NS) as continuing to be critical to Singapore's survival and stability, even as Singapore celebrates 52 years of independence and 50 years of NS (NS50). He said, "NS and our armed forces have been the bedrock of our nation building and provided the peace and security we have enjoyed… Our strategic vulnerabilities as a small nation will always remain, and a strong SAF is the ultimate guarantor of our peace and continued success." Dr Puthucheary also highlighted the continued role that the Specialists play in securing Singapore's peace and security, especially in a complex and challenging security environment. "As Specialists in the SAF, we depend on you to lead and train the women and men under your charge, and to train and lead them well…In this era of troubled peace, we need leaders like you to prepare our men, our women and our nation for the unpredictable. Should war or terrorist acts happen on our soil, you must be -- and you are -- ready to respond and lead to protect our country and our home," he said.
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.
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