Graduands of the 48/2021 Specialist Cadet Course,

Parents and loved ones of our Graduands,

Men and women of the SAF,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

INTRODUCTION

I am pleased to join your graduation parade today. To all the graduands, my heartiest congratulations on your successful completion of the 48/2021 Specialist Cadet Course.

Despite the many challenges and constraints arising from COVID-19, you have shown determination and grit over the past five months of rigorous training. You have earned the right to be here today.

THE LEADER'S ROLE IN BUILDING A STRONG SAF

We have just celebrated our National Day. In the last 56 years, we have always held our National Day celebration on 9^th August, come rain or shine, without fail. This year is no different, even though we will hold the main National Day Parade a couple of weeks later, in light of the prevailing COVID-19 restrictions.

I am always filled with a sense of pride when I see the marching contingents and honour guards line up, and when the Singapore flag is flying high across the sky, carried by our Super Puma helicopters. At the same time, I am immensely thankful that Singapore has enjoyed decades of peace and stability, allowing us to build up our nation, grow our economy and uplifted the lives of millions of Singaporeans. This would not have been possible without the SAF.

Generations of the SAF personnel - men and women, uniformed and non-uniformed, regular and National Service, have worked tirelessly to build the SAF into today's fearsome fighting force, equipped with cutting edge technologies and weaponry.

And we regularly upgrade our capabilities to enable the SAF to remain effective in an increasingly uncertain and complex environment. For example, the Army recently commissioned its latest suite of Sense and Strike capabilities, including the TPQ-53 Weapon Locating Radar, and the BELREX Protected Combat Support Vehicle with Advanced Mortar System. The Navy's Maritime Security and Response Flotilla is incorporating Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) into its arsenal and the Air Force has started taking delivery of its new H225M medium lift helicopters and CH-47F heavy lift helicopters, which will eventually replace the Super Pumas and older Chinooks respectively.

However, the most important strength of the SAF lies not in its military hardware or its technological prowess, but in its people. Our people are the ones who will be operating the weapons systems, our people are the ones who must be willing to stand up for what we believe in and defend our sovereignty, and our people are the ones who must have the conviction to put their lives on the line to defend our way of life and our loved ones.

And leaders like you play a crucial role in instilling this esprit de corps and fighting spirit amongst our soldiers. There are many books on what constitute good leadership, and it is not my intention to give you a lecture on that today. But I would like to highlight three areas that I believe are important.

First, it is about training hard, but safely. The SAF needs regular and rigorous training to maintain our high state of operational readiness. However, even as you train your soldier hard, please ensure that your soldiers' safety is your topmost priority. This is especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each soldier is someone's son, daughter, brother or sister, boyfriend or girlfriend. As leaders, we have an obligation and responsibility to care for every solider under our charge. We train hard, but safely.

Second, as leaders, you set the tone for your unit. And I encourage you to nurture a culture where you and your soldiers can learn, adapt and constantly 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.

Lastly, and importantly, care for soldiers. This is the most crucial and fundamental building block of good leadership. 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 wellbeing of people under your charge. Your soldiers respect you, not because you are smarter or fitter, but because you care and lead by example. Someone wise told me once – people don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care. It was for a very different context, but I think it's still very much applicable to all of us.

So I leave you with three maxims today: Train hard and safely, Learn, innovate and adapt, and Care for your soldiers.

I hope that these will be helpful in your leadership journey ahead.

GRATITUDE TO OUR FAMILIES AND TRAINERS

I will also like to take this opportunity to thank a couple of important groups of people. First, to our trainers, thank you for your dedication and commitment to develop the next generation of SAF leaders, especially during this challenging COVID-19 period. To the family members and significant others of our graduating servicemen and women. You can be justifiably proud of what they have achieved today. This milestone is for you as much as it is for them. Thank you very much for your support.

CONCLUSION

And finally to our graduands. The rank you are about to receive is an affirmation of the nation's trust and confidence in you. Carry out your duty with pride and dedication, and live up to the Specialist and Military Expert Creeds.

I welcome all of you as Specialists and Military Experts of the SAF and may you have a fulfilling leadership journey ahead.

Singapore depends on you to keep our country safe, secure and strong for many years ahead.

With Pride We Lead!

Thank you.