GUARDS FORMATION WELCOMES NEW CHIEF

As night fell and darkness settled on the parade square, the headlights of about 20 military vehicles shone on cue, illuminating the podium on which Brigadier-General (BG) Chan Wing Kai and Colonel (COL) Nelson Yau stood to witness a mobile column drive-past.

They were at the Chief Guards Officer Change of Command Parade at Bedok Camp 2 on 17 Mar, where BG Chan handed over command of the Guards formation to COL Yau.

At the parade, BG Chan lauded the commitment and strong sense of mission displayed by servicemen and women in the Guards formation. He said: "Your commitment to defence and National Service is my source of inspiration...Consistently, you have all lived up to the fine traditions of the Guards formation. You can all be proud of yourselves."

He concluded his speech with a reminder for the Guards formation never to be complacent and to constantly push the boundaries of excellence, as well as to keep the strong family spirit alive.

Enlisted in 1987, BG Chan has held appointments such as Head General Staff Branch in Headquarters (HQ) Guards, Commander 2nd Singapore Infantry Brigade (SIB), and Commandant Singapore Command and Staff College, recently renamed as the Goh Keng Swee Command and Staff College.

Since his appointment as Chief Guards Officer in July 2009, BG Chan has played an instrumental role in developing the Guards formation by seeding the ideas for its future capabilities.

In the area of training, his emphasis on performance outcomes and maximum learning provided servicemen and women with positive training experiences.

He will move on to his next appointment as Assistant Chief of the General Staff (Operations).

COL Yau was enlisted in 1986, and the appointments he has held include Head Operations, General Staff Branch in HQ Guards and Commander 7 SIB. Prior to this change of command, he was Head National Service Affairs Department.