from
cyberpioneer
New man at the helm of SAF
Commandos
Report by Chen Wei Li
Photos by Roy Lim
Colonel (COL) Lam Shiu Tong took over from COL Yeo Eidik as Chief
Commando Officer at a change of command parade on 4 Oct.
Staying true to the reputation of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)
Commandos, the parade was a spectacular event.
Commandos rappelled down from buildings and stormed onto the parade
ground in style.
They then assembled to salute their outgoing chief one last
time.
Witnessed by Chief of Army Major-General
Desmond Kuek Bak Chye, COL Lam holds the Singapore flag as he takes
his oath of office.
In his final address to his men as Chief Commando Officer, COL Yeo
said that while he had held many appointments in other formations,
"nothing beats being at home".
He revealed that back in Oct 2003, he actually had a choice of
becoming Chief Commando Officer or taking up another appointment
elsewhere.
COL Yeo said: "Given a chance to choose between a good life and a
great life, my choice was obvious."
In a tribute to his predecessor, COL Lam described COL Yeo as an
inspirational leader and said that his contributions had
transformed the SAF Commandos into one of the SAF's most advanced,
forward-looking and operationally-ready outfit.
"We thank COL Yeo for his stewardship and contributions to the
formation," said COL Lam.
On being appointed chief of the Commandos, COL Lam said it was an
honour to lead the SAF's elite.
"My immediate focus is to consolidate the existing strengths of the
formation and operationalise and expand the initiatives that were
introduced by my predecessor," he said.
COL Yeo would be pleased to hear that. Though he is moving on to
another appointment, his heart remains at the place where he
started his military career.
"Just like any other Commando, we never leave the formation," he
said,
"Physically, we may leave this place but our spirit and soul will
never leave this home."
