PRIDE AND (WITHOUT) PREJUDICE, THE MINDEF WAY

Do not be afraid to adapt new mindsets in daily work as they prompt us to continuously discover new possibilities to improve the way we do things, Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean urged Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) personnel at the opening of the 19th MINDEF PRIDE (Productivity and Innovation in Daily Effort) Day exhibition held at SAFTI Military Institute on 26 May.

"When our people interact with counterparts from other countries in exercises and inaugurations, they never fail to tell me or their commanders that they are impressed by the hardworking and positive attitude our people have, that they are able to innovate on the ground."

"They have the initiative and they apply themselves with energy to come up with creative ideas in operational problems they encounter. This is the type of culture we want in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)," said the minister.

And MINDEF is well on its way to achieving this goal. Since its inception in 1981, the PRIDE movement has promoted a culture of organisational excellence, innovation and productivity across MINDEF and the SAF.

Last year, MINDEF and the SAF saved S$283 million, thanks to the suggestions and projects from this PRIDE movement. Moreover, to date, 260 MINDEF/SAF units have achieved at least one national standard like ISO 9000 or the Singapore Quality Class.

Mr Teo said: "We have achieved these certifications not for certification sake, but rather as a validation of the good work of our people, and that MINDEF and SAF units strive continuously for, and have achieved, world-class standards of performance."

The minister said that an important enabler of the SAF's transformation journey was the innovative spirit of its people.

Hence, MINDEF would continue to build and sustain an eco-system of innovation in its workplace to invigorate an inventive and pioneering spirit.

Doing just this is the Air Logistics Squadron (ALS) from Paya Lebar Air Base (PLAB), winner of this year's Minister for Defence Award (MDA), which is given to the top MINDEF/ SAF unit that has excelled in areas like resource utilisation, safety, suggestion schemes and organisational excellence.

Commanding Officer Colonel (COL) Low Chun Hun attributed his squadron's win to a combination of active leadership, unified workforce and a strong work culture.

This is the fourth time the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) squadron has won this award in the last five years. Does victory get sweeter each time?

COL Low replied: "It feels good to be a winner again, but as we continue to strive hard, the whole culture of innovation in the RSAF has also been elevated. When we started out, there was less competition, but it has become increasingly difficult. Still, we enjoy this competition!"

On the integral role that PRIDE plays in the 3G transformation of the SAF, COL Low said: "The 3G RSAF is anchored in world class people, innovative concepts and advanced technology."

"Particularly important is the people element, so PRIDE serves as a platform for an innovative culture to be launched."

Minister Teo presented awards to ALS-PLAB and 165 other units, work improvement teams and individuals who contributed to the MINDEF PRIDE movement.

This included five recipients of the MINDEF Star Service Award that recognises staff who have consistently delivered excellent service.

Members of the public also had a peek into the MINDEF PRIDE movement when certain exhibits were put up on display at the HDB Hub in Toa Payoh on 27 and 28 May.