A total of 1,139 cadets comprising 938 from the Singapore Army, 87 from the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), 43 from the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), and 71 from Joint will graduate as Specialists and Military Experts of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) on 11 August 2021.

In recognition of this significant milestone in the cadets' journey as new commanders in the SAF, the cadets will receive their bayonets at decentralised small-scale indoor parades held at Pasir Laba Camp and various Training Institutes from 11 to 19 August 2021. The cadets also brought home their ceremonial uniforms to capture the symbolic graduation photo where their family members and loved ones affixed their new ranks on them.

Addressing the graduands in a recorded video message as the Reviewing Officer of the proceedings, Minister of State for Communications and Information & National Development Mr Tan Kiat How spoke about the importance of training hard but safely to maintain the SAF's high state of operational readiness while ensuring the safety of soldiers as the top priority. He also encouraged leaders to nurture a culture where soldiers can learn, adapt and continually improve on how things are done. "A good example is how you and your trainers have adapted to COVID-19, and moved lessons, training and assessments online. Likewise, the SAF will increasingly have to deal with uncertainty and complexity. You will face new challenges and a rapidly changing operating environment. The ability to learn, innovate and adapt at all levels of the SAF will be an important competitive advantage for us," said Mr Tan.

Mr Tan also told the graduands that care for soldiers was the most crucial and fundamental building block of good leadership. He said, "Your rank may command attention, at least for a while, but your leadership is what commands enduring respect. And that has to start by being authentic and truly caring for the well-being of people under your charge. Your soldiers respect you, not because you are smarter or fitter, but because you care and lead by example".

The graduands from the Singapore Army, the RSN, the RSAF and Joint have completed the 22-week Specialist Cadet Course, where they trained under rigorous and realistic conditions to develop leadership and combat skills, and to deepen their respective vocational expertise.