READY TO LEAD AS SPECIALISTS IN THE SAF

Two months before his National Service (NS) enlistment, Specialist Cadet (SCT) Muhamad Rafie bin Abdul Rahman met with a bike accident, which rendered him unsuitable for a combat vocation, as his Physical Employment Status (PES) got downgraded.

Undeterred, SCT Muhamad requested that his PES be upgraded while serving his full-time NS, and persevered until his request was finally granted, and he was eventually selected for the Specialist Cadet Course where he could fulfil his dream to take up a leadership position in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

"I still feel the physical pain in my left ankle (as a result of the traffic accident), but I use it as a source of motivation to put in my best effort for every training session that I went through during the course," he said.

For his outstanding performance during the Specialist Cadet Course, SCT Muhamad Rafie was among the top graduands who received the Golden Bayonet award from Senior Minister of State for Law and Education Indranee Rajah at the 14th Specialist Cadet Graduation Parade held at Pasir Laba Camp on 22 Mar.

Speaking at the parade, Ms Rajah, who was the Reviewing Officer, said to the graduands: "Even with state-of-the-art technology and equipment, superior fighting concepts and advanced networks, your role as Specialists remains unchanged. Our Specialists and Warrant Officers continue to form the backbone of the SAF, representing the highest military values of dedication and discipline."

She also urged the graduands to lead their men with dedication and conviction, as well as to forge a strong partnership with the officers.

"As leaders, you are responsible for the mission readiness, welfare, morale and discipline of individuals under your command... You are the critical link between the soldiers and the SAF leadership," she said.

This message was not lost on SCT Muhamad Rafie, who will become an Infantry specialist. He said: "When leading a group of men, I think it is important to keep their bonds strong and have them work together as a team. As a ground commander, I would lead by example and go through hardships together with them."

Fellow Golden Bayonet recipient SCT Mohan Krishnasamy, who signed on with the Military Police (MP) Command, attributed his decision to become a Regular to his stint as an MP traffic outrider during his full-time NS days, where he had the opportunity to serve as an Escort In-Charge, a Specialist appointment, even though he was only a Corporal.

The 25-year-old said: "As Military Policemen, we are the enforcers of discipline and military law... It is even more important for an MP Specialist to be disciplined and proficient, as your men will look up to you as a role model."

In total, 1,077 SCTs graduated after having completed the 22-week Specialist Cadet Course which saw them undergoing rigorous and realistic training to develop leadership and combat skills. The course also deepened their understanding of the other vocations in the SAF.

Present at the parade were friends and families of the graduands as well as senior SAF officers.