Senior Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman was the Guest of Honour at the 17th Senior Military Expert Appointment Ceremony held at Temasek Club this evening, where 95 servicemen and women were appointed as Senior Military Experts (MEs). The graduating cohort comprised 17 from the Singapore Army, 21 from the Republic of Singapore Navy, 43 from the Republic of Singapore Air Force and 14 from the Singapore Armed Force's Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence. 

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Maliki reminded the newly-appointed Senior MEs of the important roles they play in defending Singapore, "The security landscape in the world continues to evolve and grow in complexity from year to year, and we must be prepared to face these new challenges as well as those emerging challenges… Your deep domain expertise is invaluable to ensure the SAF remains at the fore-front of domains such as medicine, engineering and intelligence."

Dr Maliki also presented the Sword and Appointment Certificates to the Sword of Honour Recipient and Best Trainees at the ceremony and congratulated the graduates of their accomplishments. He said, "Having completed the rigorous training of the Senior ME Course, we now entrust you with the solemn responsibilities of leading your men and women to maintain the SAF's cutting-edge capabilities, and to achieve mission success for MINDEF and the SAF… you will be expected to not just be masters of your respective fields, but also be leaders, charged with the responsibility of inspiring and motivating those who serve with and under you. We have full confidence that you will live up to the task. So, let the core values of the SAF guide you as you do your utmost to carry out your duties." 

This evening's ceremony marked the completion of the Military Domain Experts Course, which trains MEs to assume roles in the SAF where in-depth expertise in areas such as engineering, intelligence and military medicine is required. The training conducted during the course developed and honed the ME's leadership competency, military domain knowledge and specialised skills. The newly-appointed Senior MEs will move on to assume command or staff appointments in their professional areas.

Also present at the ceremony was Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Melvyn Ong, senior SAF officers as well as families and friends of the graduands.