A DAY TO REMEMBER

After 42 weeks of intensive training, a cohort of 285 officer cadets was commissioned into the ranks of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) on 1 Oct.

For these newly-commissioned officers, it was a day to remember after successfully completing their training which included leadership, military law, military tactics and weapons handling.

The 285 officer cadets 238 from the Army and 47 from the Republic of Singapore Air Force would be assigned to combat, instructional or staff appointments in the various SAF units.

Minister for Education Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who was Guest of Honour at the commissioning parade held at the SAFTI Military Institute, said: "You are now ready to be commissioned as officers of the Singapore Armed Forces. With this honour comes the responsibility of leading men and women in safeguarding the sovereignty and security of our country."

Second Lieutenant (2LT) Khoo Yong Keong, echoed the minister's comments, adding that, as an officer, he not only had to answer for himself but for the men under his charge as well. But he was confident of fulfilling that responsibility because the Officer Cadet School (OCS) had given him the kind of leadership experience he needed to do his job.

2LT Khoo received the Sword-of-Honour for his outstanding course performance in the Artillery. The other two Sword-of-Honour recipients were 2LT Darryl Tan and 2LT Tan Ting Xi who excelled in the Infantry and Air Defence Artillery respectively.

Guests at the commissioning parade included Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Ng Yat Chung, senior SAF officers as well as families and friends of the newly-commissioned officers.