NEW SAF OFFICERS READY TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE

There are now two Republic of Singapore Air Force airmen in Officer Cadet (OCT) Alex Tan Hian Hwee's family. OCT Tan graduated with his cohort at the Officer Cadet Commissioning Parade held at the SAFTI Military Institute on 15 Oct. As a Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) officer, he joins his father's chosen vocation.

Commenting on his father's unstinting support throughout his 38-week training to become an officer, OCT Tan said: "I learnt about similar systems which my dad operates and he would share practical advice with me. He encouraged me and his words made me want to always do better."

That he did, graduating second in his GBAD course and best in Physical Training. "Challenging times during the course such as long marches and outfield stints made me realise the importance of having fighting spirit and perseverance," said OCT Tan.

He also spent many nights studying for tests. "The pace was quite fast. They (the tests) came round about once every three weeks," explained OCT Tan, who remembers many weekends spent poring over handwritten notes.

Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs Lui Tuck Yew, who reviewed the commissioning parade, reminded the graduands of what it meant to be an officer: "With this high honour of being an officer of the SAF (Singapore Armed Forces), comes the important responsibility of training the men and women under your charge, and leading them into battle when you are called upon to defend Singapore."

"You will need to uphold high personal standards and discipline, to match your words with your actions, and show care and conviction. For only then, will you win over the hearts and minds of your men," said Mr Lui.

These words were not lost on OCT Mohammad Farhan Bin Hussein, who said: "As an officer, I will stick to the SAF values which have been imbued in me. I will live up to my men's expectations of me to lead them by example and I will never give up even when the going is tough."

"With these values and the training I have received, I am confident that I will do well," said OCT Farhan, who will head to the 9th Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment as a Platoon Commander.

Things were not always smooth going for the young officer; he recounted a training exercise where he led his peers poorly: "I was not flexible enough and wanted to stick to my plans." That decision led his instructors to declare more than half his platoon "dead" and he failed that assessment.

But the plucky 22-year-old bounced back from that experience, and when he was given the task again later in the course, he made sure he took in his fellow officer cadets' opinions. "I gave a thorough brief and I anticipated challenges as they arose," he said. This time, he and his platoon were the fastest to complete the exercise. OCT Farhan graduated with a Sword of Merit (Infantry).

These opportunities to lead were something that OCT Tan Jia Hong appreciated. "It's really on-the-ground training; you learn to work with people and you learn how to lead by example and with confidence," said OCT Tan. Apart from honing his communication skills, the 38-week course also instilled fundamental values in each and every one of them, he said.

"It taught me to see beyond myself and do things for the greater good," said OCT Tan. His stellar performance throughout the course earned him the prestigious Sword of Honour (Artillery) for being the top cadet in his vocation. The 22-year-old has signed on as a Regular, and will be joining the 21st Battalion, Singapore Artillery.

Of the 303 newly-minted officers, 34 are RSAF officers while the rest are from the Army. They will go on to assume operational, instructional or staff appointments in the SAF.

Also present at the parade were Members of Parliament, senior Ministry of Defence officials and SAF officers, as well as families and friends of the graduands.