Graduands of the 130/22 Officer Cadet Course,

Parents and Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

INTRODUCTION

Good evening! I am very glad to be here to celebrate this momentous occasion with all of you. To the graduands standing proudly in the parade square. my heartfelt congratulations for completing your Officer Cadet Course! It must have been a gruelling leadership journey for the past nine months. Through your hard work, commitment and perseverance, you have earned the right to join the ranks of commissioned officers of the Singapore Armed Forces. You will very soon shoulder the solemn duty to serve and defend our nation as leaders of the SAF.

THE NEED FOR A STRONG SAF IN TURBULENT TIMES

You will be assuming your role as an Officer in a period of turbulence and great uncertainty. The rivalry between the US and China remains and is playing out in various domains, with a very real risk of miscalculation that can impact global and regional stability. The Russia-Ukraine conflict persists with no end in sight, and its ramifications continue to be felt across the world. Climate change continues to cause devastating disasters impacting countries and communities all over the world. Global economic growth is expected to slow significantly amid high inflation. The security challenges that we must grapple with are becoming more complex and diverse, ranging from sophisticated cyber-attacks that can affect our critical infrastructure and essential services, to self-radicalised terror attacks that can threaten our social fabric and harmony.

These developments are stark reminders that we cannot take the peace and stability we enjoy for granted. It has been said many times that a strong and capable SAF remains key to safeguarding Singapore's sovereignty and security.

Having previously served in the Ministry of Defence, I have seen for myself how the SAF constantly adapted to unexpected situations and operations, and made consistent and steady investments in its capabilities in order to continue fulfilling its mission amid an evolving security context. For example, the SAF rose to the call of duty, working with Whole of-Government partners in our nation's fight against COVID-19. But even through the thick of the pandemic, the SAF was unwavering in its efforts in establishing the Digital and Intelligence Service, which stood up last year and had since been hard at work defending Singapore's interests against the many amorphous and oft unseen threats in the digital space.

PEOPLE AT THE CORE OF THE SAF

The key to SAF's continued success lies in its people. Even with the latest equipment and systems, the SAF will not be where it is today without the unyielding dedication of our servicemen and women. I am pleased to have worked with some of the finest men and women in the SAF, led by capable leaders with the heart to serve, while I was in MINDEF.

To the graduands, the military training and education that you have received for the past nine months seeks to prepare you for the way ahead. It will be an extremely challenging duty that will stretch your limits, test your character, and see if you have what it takes to succeed in the toughest conditions. But it will also be a very meaningful journey that for most of you stretch years later into your operationally ready NS days. I am confident that you have what it takes to shape the beliefs and attitudes of our citizen soldiers, and make a positive difference to their lives. But allow me to just offer a few pointers.

As leaders, what will set you apart is indeed not your aptitude, but your character and values. There will be many moments where you stumble or make mistakes. These are the moments where the best leaders demonstrate integrity, courage and humility to admit and learn from their shortcomings. True leadership is also demonstrated by your willingness to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with your team. This means that you actively engage with those you lead, understand their difficulties, and support them to overcome any obstacles. Above all, it is paramount that you remain steadfast to the core values of the SAF. Never lose sight of your duty to safeguard our nation's security and protect the lives of our fellow citizens.

CONCLUSION

As we celebrate the graduands' incredible achievements, we also recognise and extend our sincere appreciation to their families, friends and loved ones. It is your encouragement and support that have given them the strength to thrive and persevere in the face of adversity, and which will continue to motivate them in all that lies ahead.

Graduands, congratulations once again. As you follow in the footsteps of your predecessors, continue to embody the motto of the Officer Cadet School – To Lead you will, to Excel you shall, to Overcome you must.

Thank you!