Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean presented certificates to 150 graduands from the 40th Command and Staff Course (CSC) and the 10th National Service Command and Staff Course (NSCSC) at the Istana this evening. The graduands comprised 106 regular officers and 28 National Service (NS) officers from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), one officer from the Singapore Police Force and 15 international officers from Australia, Brunei, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Thailand, South Korea, the United States and Vietnam. This is the first combined CSC and NSCSC graduation ceremony held by the Singapore Command and Staff College.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Teo highlighted the need for senior commanders to develop new and multi-faceted skills to lead the 3rd Generation SAF in accomplishing a wider spectrum of missions. Mr Teo also mentioned the key role that National Servicemen play in Singapore's defence. He said: "These are the men who, although not career military personnel, will take up arms when our country needs them. This requires them to be at a high state of readiness, achievable only by a steadfast commitment to their National Service duties. Their contributions and sacrifices over the years have provided Singapore with continued peace and security."

Awards were also presented to four top graduands: MAJ Peter Chee, MAJ Lim Yu Chuan and MAJ Koi Eng Chew, who stood out amongst the 40th CSC cohort to win the Top Army, Navy and Air Force Graduate Awards respectively, and MAJ (NS)(Dr) Koh Poh Koon, who topped the 10th NSCSC. This year's graduation ceremony also saw an international officer from Vietnam, Lieutenant Colonel Ha Van Thang, graduating from the CSC for the first time. The participation of international officers allows SAF officers to forge and strengthen military ties with their counterparts from other armed forces. To date, 170 international officers from 24 countries have completed the CSC.

The 41-week CSC and 32-week NSCSC, which prepare officers for senior command and staff appointments in the SAF, are the highest level of formal military education offered in Singapore for regular and NS officers respectively.