SPEECH BY MR ABDULLAH TARMUGI, SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT, AT THE
54/03 OFFICER CADET COURSE COMMISSIONING PARADE HELD ON 2ND OCTOBER
2004 AT 6.00 PM AT SAFTI MI
Graduands, parents, ladies and gentlemen,
We are gathered here this evening to witness the beginning of a new
and important phase for this commissioning class of officer cadets.
Today, on the respected grounds of this parade square, we celebrate
your perseverance and successful completion of the very toughest of
military training, to earn your rightful place in the Officer Corps
of the Singapore Armed Forces. Henceforth, you are entrusted with
the duty of safeguarding the peace and security of our nation, as
full-fledged commissioned officers.
In this post-Cold War and post-Sep 11 world, the challenges for
those charged with the defence and security of our country have
grown. This is because the range of threats has grown and we stare
new threats squarely in the face. Security now takes on a far
broader definition than most of us have been used to dealing with.
These uncertainties in the security environment underscore the
importance of having a strong defence capability. The SAFs ability
to deter potential aggressors and deal swiftly and decisively with
them has provided the solid security foundation upon which
Singapores economic growth has been achieved. As commanders, your
role in an operationally ready SAF is instrumental in providing
continued assurance of the nations peace and security.
As commanders, you will be responsible to lay the foundations for
adaptive and resilient fighting units, capable of executing a wide
spectrum of operations, both in peacetime and in operations. To do
so effectively, you will need to firstly be competent in your
individual professional military expertise, secondly to be able to
motivate your men and, most importantly, be of good character at
all times.
To be professionally competent means that you must have the
knowledge and skills to accomplish your missions. Only then will
your men follow you with confidence. Being competent then allows
you to train your men well and imbue them with the right values and
attitudes, and be conversant in their areas of expertise.
However, being proficient in tactical and technical knowledge is
only one aspect of assuming command. As a leader of men, each of
you shall answer for the training, morale and discipline of the men
under your charge. You must ensure your men are operationally ready
at all times through a balanced regime of tough uncompromising
training and high disciplinary standards with sufficient emphasis
on the safety and welfare aspects. Your men will see that you have
their best interests at heart and be motivated to do well. Take the
time and effort to know each of your men well. Give due recognition
to those who have been outstanding in their performance and coach
the weaker ones to keep up with the rest. In times of hardship, you
can motivate them best by showing your own resilient and positive
attitudes and the tenacity to overcome all adversities.
We come now to the third and most crucial aspect of being an
effective leader of men, that is, good character. It entails a
pledge to truthfulness, of being upright in conduct, and having the
moral courage to take responsibility for ones actions, even and
especially if they turn out to be wrong. It also means the ability
to do things right even when no one is watching. In this, you have
as your guide, the SAF Core Values as well as the principles
enshrined in the Officers Creed. Live and act by these values.
Only when you exemplify them, and demonstrate them in your daily
actions, can you be a voice of influence over your men and gain
their deepest trust and respect for your leadership.
The tasks now falls upon your shoulders - the newly commissioned
officers of the Singapore Armed Forces - to take on the challenges
facing the nation. As you stand ready to be commissioned as
officers of the SAF, another chapter of Singapores success story
is unfolding. The SAF is the bedrock upon which rests the security
and peace this nation has enjoyed for thirty-nine years since
Independence. Good leadership is therefore paramount to secure our
continued survival. We are confident that you are now ready to take
on these challenges, and will lead the SAF to even greater heights.
This Commissioning Parade symbolises the nations trust in you to
chart the way for a brighter future for Singapore.
Finally, it gives me great pleasure to witness your Commissioning
Parade. As each one of you leaves this premiere Institute to assume
command in your new unit, always remember your roots in the
Tradition of Excellence as embodied in this Institute. And may you
always uphold the OCS motto: "To Lead, To Excel, To Overcome" in
all that you do. You have done us proud and I congratulate each and
every one of you on your commissioning.
Thank you.
