POINTER - CDF Essay Competition

2003 CDF Essay Competition winners

First Prize
To Risk or Not to Risk? Psychological Dimensions of Risk Assessment and Their Impact on Training Safety
CPT Stanley Chua Hon Kiat

Second Prize
Effects-Based Operations: Obstacles and Opportunities
CPT Choy Dawen

Third Prize
Force Multiplication Through Networks and Networking - A Frame for Discourse
MAJ Roland Ng Kian Huat

Merit Awards (7 nos.) [ synopses ]
Intra-organisational Cooperation: Key to the Capacity to Change
LTA Ng Pak Shun

Engaging China : Managing the Emerging Power in the International System
CPT Goh Si Hou

The Revolution in Military Affairs and Conventional Deterrence
LTA (NS) Toh Boon Ho

Counter-Terrorism: Whither Strategic Threat Assessment
CPT Fong Kum Kuen

Myth or Real: Network-centric Warfare and Integrated Command and Control for the SAF?
LTC Lim Seng Hock

The Professional Soldier: Organizational and Occupational Commitment of Regular Officers in the Singapore Army
CPT Yip Kin Cheng Jason

The Human Perspective of Safety - A Flight Commander's Reflection
MAJ Tay Gek Peng

Commendation Awards (10 nos.) [ synopses ]
Air Power in Urban Warfare
MAJ Kwan Kum Wah

Information - Real or Perceived?
MAJ Quek Chiew Teck

The Impact of the Government Procurement Agreement on the Use of Defence Procurement to Promote Secondary Policies of a Social, Environmental and Political Nature
MR Kow Keng Wee

The Centre of Gravity of War
MAJ Benedict Ang

Dealing with Unfavourable Environment - China 's Diplomatic Plan from 1989 to 1999
MAJ Lawrence Ng

Enhancing the Military Mind: The Psychological Approach to Transformation
MAJ (NS) Aaron Chia Eng Seng, PhD

Back to Basics: The Why, What and How of Army Transformation in the SAF
CPT Martin Thoo

Would South East Asia Support The Application of the Bush Administration's Pre-emption Strategy
MAJ Lee Weng Foo

Military Innovation – A Quantum Leap for the SAF?
CPT Hoo Soo Pin

Winning the War, Losing the Peace: Antecedents, Contrast and Outcomes
MAJ Matthew Yap Choon Pian

Judging Committee

Chairman
COL LIM TECK YIN

Members
COL PHILIP LIM FENG
COL TAN MENG DUI
COL FOO TOON LIM
MR PHILIP CHAN
MR WONG CHEE WAI
DR BERNARD LOO, Asst Prof / IDSS

Synopses

1st Prize:
To Risk or not to Risk? Psychological Dimensions of Risk Assessment and Their Impact on Training Safety
CPT Stanley Chua

Despite employing risk assessment tools, our commanders and trainers continue to grapple with training safety. This essay describes how fallacies in individual perceptions of risk play a vital role in training accidents, and how the psychological aspects of risk assessment must be attended to. The author argues for and examines flawed assumptions and irrationality as culprits. He then proposes certain measures that may rectify the underlying causes.

2nd Prize:
Effects-based Operations: Obstacles and Opportunities
CPT Choy Dawen

The author posits that the current popularity of EBO (Effects Based Operations) may reflect dissatisfaction with mechanistic operations planning methods as well as its promise of being able to do more with less. It examines historical success and failures of EBO to assess its efficacy. The counter-intuitive claim of precision weapons leading to more DBO (Destruction Based Operations) rather than EBO is also looked at. He finally offers a preliminary framework to guide future EBO doctrines.

3rd Prize:
Force Multiplication Through Networks and Networking - A Frame for Discourse
MAJ Roland Ng

This essay discusses the impact of the network as a force multiplier for the military, and how we can best apply network effects. It also presents the hypothesis that modern military power will be increasingly derived from information, access and speed. The author grants that the best strategy is a “fuzzy problem”, and we must always keep in mind whether the investments required will yield value-for-money added combat power.

Merit:

Myth or Real: Network-centric Warfare and Integrated Command and Control for the SAF?
LTC Lim Seng Hock

With the proliferation of information and communication technology, knowledge warfare is of increasing importance. As such, modern armies are shifting from a platform-centric orientation to a network-centric one. This essay explores important challenges SAF will face in the process of transformation by looking at four key aspects – culture, structure, process and product. These will then facilitate the successful implementation of IKC2 (Integrated Knowledge-based Command and Control).

The Human Perspective of Safety - A Flight Commander's Reflection
MAJ Tay Gek Peng

The methods employed to build an effective safety culture may not be adequate in sustaining it due to a changing social, economic, political and psychological environment. This essay presents three strategies that attempts to rejuvenate the safety culture in the RSAF – safety as a human value, alignment to strategic goals, and a balanced reward system.

Counter-Terrorism: Whither Strategic Threat Assessment?
CPT Fong Kum Kuen

The extremist, unconventional and asymmetrical nature of terrorism makes it one of the greatest challenges to military and security agencies. Counter-terrorism policies must be comprehensive as well as match Singapore ’s larger strategic. This essay proposes a framework to discuss strategic threat assessment and also studies the threat environment.

Engaging China : Managing the Emerging Power in the International System
CPT Goh Si Hou

As the rise of China surely has global implications, this essay discusses how the international system’s engagement of China will exert a positive influence on its evolution. By looking at China ’s underlying goals, international participation and shift in foreign policies, the author argues that engagement is the only way to boost beneficial growth of China.

The Professsional Soldier: Organisational and Occupational Commitment of Regular Officers in the Singapore Army
CPT Jason Yip Kin Cheng

The professional soldier is an individual committed to the military profession. This essay analyses the shift of the military organisation from an institutional to occupational orientation. It then proposes the direction in which the military organisation can obtain the organisational commitment of the ‘professional soldier’ .

Intra-organisational Cooperation: Key to the Capacity to Change
LTA Ng Pak Shun

The authors of the C2C (Capacity to Change) monograph has been encouraging the creation of a competitive environment to enhance the SAF’s ability to meet future challenges and mitigate fundamental surprise. This essay argues that the emphasis on competition is detrimental to fostering C2C as its effects can be adverse to organisational objectives. The author asserts that intra-organisational cooperation, not competition, is a better means to achieve the goal of change.

The Revolution in Military Affairs and Conventional Deterrence
LTA (NS) Toh Boon Ho, Asst Dir of Trade Div, Ministry of Trade and Industry

The 2003 Iraq War demonstrated the rise of the new Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA). This essay investigates how the new RMA affects conventional deterrence, its limitations and its implications on SAF’s defence strategy. The author advocates the development of broad-based capabilities because the new RMA, despite all its benefits, still has its limitations.

Commendation:

The Impact of the Government Procurement Agreement on the Use of Defence Procurement to Promote Secondary Policies of a Social, Environmental and Political Nature
Mr Kow Keng Wee

The procurement process is often used as a front to advance a nation’s social, environmental and political goals. This essay studies the mechanisms of secondary policies, discusses the limitations from the Government Procurement Agreement and proposes various improvements to be made to the GPA in relation to the uncertainties that threaten o ur procurement practice.

Air Power in Urban Warfare
MAJ Kwan Kum Wah

This essay aims to enhance the thinking of the aircrew and their leaders about the importance of applying aerospace power in urban warfare. The paper proposes that aircrew must review their doctrines, techniques and overall readiness. The author explores two uniquely challenging components, that is, people and infrastructure in the light of a terrain that is complex and demanding.

Dealing with Unfavoura ble Environment - China 's Diplomatic Plan from 1989 to 1999
MAJ Lawrence Ng

This paper traces the course and evolution of China ’s foreign policy over ten years from 1989-1999. It applauds the success of China in prospering economically despite internal unrest and external threats. The implementation of the National Economic Construction Plan is also credited as bringing about the impressive economic growth over the same period.

Information - Real or Perceived?
MAJ Quek Chiew Teck

In deciding the outcome of war, information has always been a crucial element. The essay examines the definition of Information Warfare (IW) and reviews the use of information as a weapon. The author maintains that while IW plays an important role, sole dependence on IW for success is untenable due to its inherent unpredictability.

The Centre of Gravity
MAJ Benedict Ang

This paper examines the concept of the “centre of gravity” as an articulation of Clausewitzian philosophy. The concept is being shown not just as a principal of war but as a way of thinking. The author discusses Clausewitz’s thinking on war, in particular the ‘remarkable trinity’ paradigm, and its implications on war operations.

Would South East Asia Support the Application of the Bush Administration’s Pre-Emption Strategy?
MAJ Lee Weng Foo

This essay discusses the rationale behind the Bush administration’s pre-emption strategy as well as the reactions from the governments of South East Asia countries. The paper concludes that although the high threat of terrorism is present in the region, governments of South East Asia countries are still quite hesitant to engage in the strategy proposed. The author also investigates whether the public rhetoric in these countries represents a genuine lack of support for pre-emption or mere ly unwillingness to be seen to be overly pro-US .

Winning the War, Losing the Peace: Antecedents, Contrast and Outcomes
MAJ Matthew Yap Choon Pian

This paper discusses the attempts in keeping peace by the US and coalition forces, in particular through the invasions on countries and states designed to prevent mass destruction and inhumane treatment. The distinction between winning the war as opposed to winning the peace is astutely made. The author also discusses the successes and repercussions of the recent attempts by U.S and coalition forces to preserve and uphold international peace.

Enhancing the Military Mind: The Psychological Approach to Transformation
MAJ (NS) Aaron Chia Eng Seng

The challenges posed by the emerging threats in a changing world require fresh thinking and innovation. The essay takes the audience through the exploration of a military mind and its functions. T he processes in the formation of a military mind through education and learning are also examined .

Back to Basics: The Why, What and How Of Army Transformation in the SAF
CPT Martin Thoo

In this essay, the author explores the imperative for transformation in the SAF. With the onslaught of terror attacks and the rise in the public’s awareness of global terrorism, the SAF must change to both meet the emergence of unconventional threats and be better prepared for the persistent conventional threats.

Military Innovation- A Quantum Leap for the SAF?
CPT Hoo Soo Pin

This essay explores and distinguishes between the different forms of military innovation, namely, technological innovation, tactical innovation, doctrinal innovation, process innovation, and organisational innovation. The author also discusses the need for the SAF to adopt new tactical measures and to innovate in order to operate amidst the uncertainties and unknowns of the modern world.

Last updated on 23 May 2011