FIRST WARRANT OFFICER APPOINTED AS COMMANDING OFFICER

Senior Warrant Officer (SWO) Lee Sung Cheng made history for the Specialist and Warrant Officer Corps on 31 Jan when he became the first-ever non-commissioned officer to take up the appointment of a Commanding Officer.

At a Change of Command ceremony held at Pasir Lebar Camp, SWO Lee took over from Lieutenant-Colonel (LTC) Yeo Hock Seng as Commanding Officer of the Specialist and Warrant Officer Advanced School (SWAS).

Speaking at ceremony, SWO Lee said he was honoured to be the first among his peers to take up a key appointment and added that he looked forward to leading SWAS in training the next generation of Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) specialists and warrant officers.

"I'm glad that we (warrant officers) are getting more recognition but more importantly, I feel that we are definitely able to contribute much more in grooming our trainees at SWAS," said SWO Lee. "I am ready to face the challenges in my new job."

Paying tribute to outgoing Commanding Officer LTC Yeo, SWO Lee said the former had established an excellent team at SWAS. "He (LTC Yeo) has put in place a very good system and made the transition for me smoother."

SWO Lee joined the SAF in 1978 as an Armour Infantry Section Leader. Over the years, he has held several appointments such as Division Sergeant Major of 3rd Singapore Division and Officer Commanding of Hotel Company in the School of Infantry Specialists (SISPEC).

LTC Yeo joined the SAF in 1985 and spent the most part of his 25-year career holding various appointments in the Commando Formation, like Chief Instructor of School of Commandos.