VOCATION BADGE FOR AIR OPERATIONS AND SYSTEMS EXPERTS

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) unveiled a new vocation badge for its Air Operations and Systems Experts (AOSXs) in a ceremony at Chong Pang Camp auditorium on 25 Jul.

Chief of Air Force Major-General (MG) Ng Chee Meng officiated at the ceremony and presented the badges to AOSXs.

Launched in April 2010 in tandem with the new Military Domain Experts Scheme, the AOSX vocation will specialise in the two niche areas of Integrated Knowledge-based Command and Control (IKC2). Prior to that, the AOSXs were known as Air Operations Systems Specialists (AOSSs), who conducted operational-level maintenance on C2 systems, apart from assisting in the coordination of air operations.

Reflecting on how AOSXs have taken on more senior appointments and assumed greater responsibilities in the RSAF, Commander Air Defence and Operations Command (ADOC) Brigadier-General (BG) Kwek Kok Kwong said at the ceremony: "Let us symbolically mark this point of success by celebrating and launching the AOSX badge. After all the hard work you've put in, I'm sure you're proud to don this badge."

He also reminded the AOSXs present: "As you don the badge, remember the reasons why the AOSX Corps was formed, and continue to find new ways to advance your Corps and further your contributions to the RSAF."



Military Expert (ME) 2 Briana Bharathi Anthony Sarlen, a Communications Expert in Headquarters ADOC, commented on the new badge: "I believe a lot of thought went into designing the badge such that it accurately reflects our role as AOSX.



"The lightning flashes on the badge design show that as IKC2 experts, we are swift in supporting the RSAF in various missions, while the interlocking rings on it symbolise our integration with the entire network of the SAF (Singapore Armed Forces)," she elaborated.



For ME 1 Chen Chuanren, a Flight Information Service Assistant in 203 Squadron, an air traffic control squadron, the new badge gives him a greater sense of belonging.



He explained: "In the past, the AOSS was a skills badge, and the specialists needed to go through three to five years of courses before they can attain the badge.



"Now that it's a vocation badge, all AOSX, including juniors like me, will wear the badge regardless of seniority... It helps to forge a common identity among the senior and junior AOSXs."