Graduands of the 110/17 Officer Cadet Course,
SAF Senior Commanders 
Instructors of the SAF Officer Cadet School
Parents, 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
A very good evening.

First and foremost, I would like to extend my heartiest congratulations to all the graduands on your successful completion of the 110/17 Officer Cadet Course. Over the past 38 weeks, you have completed physically demanding and mentally rigorous training to earn the right to be commissioned officers of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). It is my honour to witness this important milestone in your military career. 

The Commissioning Parade heralds the beginning of your journey as newly commissioned officers of the SAF. You are now charged with the honour and responsibility of leading men and women to defend the sovereignty of our country.  There is no higher calling than this.

The SAF is only as Strong as its People

For more than fifty years, we have enjoyed a peaceful and stable Singapore, built on the foundation of a strong and credible SAF, a modern armed force with sophisticated systems and equipment. But the SAF is only as strong as its people and no technology or equipment can replace a soldier's commitment to defend his country or his will to fight for his home and loved ones. The commitment and dedication of every man and woman underpins Singapore's defence. 

You will join the servicemen and women who have come before you, whose contributions and sacrifices have enabled Singaporeans to enjoy decades of peace, and a safe and secure home.  A Singapore where foreign investors have confidence that their investments will be secured and yield good returns, in turn giving Singaporeans good economic progress and prosperity. When called upon, as was the case for your predecessors, you will be expected to rise to the occasion and defend Singapore. This is the real strength of the SAF – our people. 

The Importance of a Strong SAF in the Evolving Security Environment

Our security environment is increasingly complex and challenging. Terrorism is a key concern of many governments in the region, including ours. The SAF is keenly aware of this security threat to Singapore and will continue to hone our capabilities in urban operations, build our competence in homeland security operations, and work closely with our partners in the Home Team on joint operations. Our deployments to the defeat-ISIS coalition in the Middle East since 2014 are a testament to our commitment to protecting Singaporeans against this grave security threat at its source. Through these deployments, our SAF personnel have gained valuable experience operating in different and unfamiliar environments, enhancing their operational readiness. 

The nature of cyber threats has also evolved rapidly with attacks being launched across state boundaries, potentially resulting in massive nation-wide disruptions. These threats often involve long-term planning and sophisticated techniques, and can be carried out with a high degree of anonymity. MINDEF/SAF has invested heavily in building capabilities to defend our networks and systems against these threats. One way to strengthen our cyber defence is by training our younger generations to do so. The Cyber NSF scheme was launched just this year to tap on full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) who have aptitude in this field.

Given Singapore's inherent position as a small nation with no natural resources, it is especially crucial for us to build up a ready and effective SAF to protect our land, sea and air and can meet the demands of an ever-evolving security landscape. To ensure its operational readiness, the SAF exercises regularly, both locally and overseas, with foreign militaries. Oftentimes, overseas exercises provide a realistic setting to train at a larger scale and complexity that is difficult to achieve in Singapore. This can be seen in various SAF exercises held in collaboration with other countries like Australia, Germany and the US. Exercise Pitch Black, for instance, is a biennial exercise conducted in Bradshaw Field Training Area and Delamere Air Weapons Range in Australia, one of the largest training airspace areas in the world. It features a range of simulated threats in a modern battle-space environment, providing a wonderful opportunity for the SAF to test and improve its military capabilities. Such overseas training opportunities are only possible because we continue to build good relationship with our international partners.

The SAF also actively participates in a variety of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) missions at both the regional and international levels, the most recent being the provision of humanitarian supplies to Laos this July. This was part of the flood relief efforts following a catastrophic dam collapse in Southern Laos. In October this year, Singapore as the Chair of the 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and the 5th ADMM-Plus will be hosting our ASEAN counterparts and the Plus countries to address regional defence challenges and strengthen regional security. As members of the regional defence community, we must remain vigilant against the ongoing terror threats and be able to respond collectively to times of emergencies. 

Amidst the evolving and multi-faceted threats, the SAF stands ready to respond to a wide spectrum of threats, whether on air, land, sea or cyberspace. Just recently in June this year, the SAF stood up at very short notice for the DPRK-USA Singapore Summit. Singapore's ability to provide a safe and secure environment was one of the key reasons why it was chosen as a venue. Our soldiers were deployed to secure vital areas on the ground, while fighter aircraft and naval ships patrolled the air and sea. The success of the Summit was testament to the professionalism and dedication of the SAF. The successful completion of the mission shows us that the SAF can always be counted on to defend and protect the sovereignty and independence of our nation.

Responsibilities of an Officer

The 250 of you graduating today are part of this SAF that Singapore is proud of. As commanders, you will lead men and women who have committed to serve this nation. Parents will depend on you to take care of their sons, and men are entrusting their lives in your hands. This is a sacred responsibility which you must undertake with the utmost care. Lead with conviction, courage and compassion. Always lead by example, and help your soldiers achieve the standards that are set for them. Train them hard and keep them safe. Instil in them the right values and attitudes, help them realise their potential and always have their welfare and safety at heart. Inspire them to aspire beyond their comfort zones. Only then will you be able to earn the respect and trust of the men and women under your charge.

This is a proud and defining moment for every one of you and your loved ones.  I am glad to see your family members here today.  To the cherished family members, I would like to thank you for your unwavering support to the cadets.  Our SAF is also strong because of the sacrifices and continued support from generations of NSmen and their families. As you don your epaulettes, your journey as commissioned officers begins. Regardless of whether you are in or out of uniform, you never cease being an officer. There will be challenges and uncertainties. Demonstrate your fortitude and resilience, trust the training that you have been given and use the SAF core values as your guiding light. 

Once again, I congratulate all of you on your successful commissioning as Officers of the SAF. I am confident that you will discharge your duties without fear or favour and that you will lead with professionalism, pride and confidence. Uphold the SAF core values and be anchored by the Officer's Creed: To Lead, to Excel and to Overcome.

I wish you the very best. Congratulations and Thank you.