Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen officiated at the Goh Keng Swee Command and Staff College (GKS CSC) Command and Staff Course (CSC) 2022 Graduation Ceremony, held at the Istana this evening. This ceremony marked the completion of the 53rd CSC, 23rd CSC (National Service), and the 18th and 19th CSC (Executive) respectively. A total of 231 leaders graduated from the GKS CSC, comprising 121 regular officers, 48 National Service (NS) officers; 42 military experts and two warrant officers from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF); one Singapore Police Force officer; and 17 international officers from 11 countries. The CSC, CSC (NS) and CSC (Executive) prepare officers for senior command and staff appointments in the SAF, and are the highest level of formal military education offered in Singapore for Regular, NS and international officers.

Addressing the graduands, Dr Ng highlighted the importance of diplomacy and deterrence as the geopolitical landscape continues to evolve, citing examples of the COVID-19 pandemic and the invasion of Ukraine. He said "Singapore is in a much better place compared to the dreadful past two years. But for the world at large, the systemic risks have worsened considerably as the world has changed on us, in the post COVID-19 and post Ukraine invasion era. All countries will have to grapple with the aftermath and impact of these two epochal events. One would have to be extremely naïve or sheltered to think that our World can revert to status quo ante hereafter. We must therefore redouble our efforts on two fronts. First, to prevent conflicts and second if that fails, to mitigate the fallout to protect our countries as custodians of our nations’ sovereignty and people’s safety."

Dr Ng also noted that this year marks an important milestone as Singapore commemorates 55 years of National Service and honours the contributions of generations of national servicemen. He said "For Singapore, whether past, present or future, National Service remains a bedrock for a strong defence and the SAF. Not many countries have sustained that strong commitment to conscription. The 48 National Servicemen from the 23rd Command and Staff Course (National Service) are good examples to emulate as they have gone beyond mere duty to active and sacrificial commitment. I would also like to thank their families and employers for supporting them in defending Singapore. That support and commitment to defend Singapore in good and bad times will be critical for our survival."

At the ceremony, Dr Ng presented the award to six top graduates: Major (MAJ) Mohamed Firdaus Bin Mohd Ghazali, LTC Kan Shengyao, David and MAJ Lau Koon Siew Edmund who received the Top Army, Navy and Air Force Graduate Awards respectively in the 53rd CSC; MAJ(NS) Twohill Edmund Joseph who received the Top Graduate Award in the 23rd CSC (NS); as well as Military Expert 6 Lee Woei Chieh and MAJ Teo Jun Rong, Benjamin who topped the 18th and 19th CSC (Executive) respectively. Dr Ng also presented graduation certificates to the other graduates including Certificates to the Singapore Police Force officer, International Officers (IO) and Distinguished Graduates (DG).

Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Melvyn Ong will also be presenting certificates to the other SAF graduates in SAFTI Military Institute on 21 October 2022.