The Singapore Armed Forces Volunteer Corps (SAFVC) held a Beret Presentation Parade for the inaugural cohort of SAFVC Volunteers (SVs) at Maju Camp this afternoon, where 226 SVs were presented their service berets. Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman and Commander SAFVC Colonel (COL) Mike Tan were present at the parade as Guest of Honour and Reviewing Officer respectively. Friends, family members and employers of the SVs witnessed the parade, where the SVs reaffirmed their dedication and commitment to the defence of Singapore.

Speaking after the parade, Dr Maliki acknowledged that community support is important in facilitating wider participation in national defence through the SAFVC. He said, "What we also are very thankful for… you saw the families, and the employers who were here. These are the stakeholders who have been supporting these volunteers. Without the support of community members and the families of the volunteers, I think the volunteers themselves would not be able to perform their function as part of the volunteer corps."

Addressing the SVs, COL Tan noted that the training has prepared the SVs to serve in supporting roles, alongside regular and national servicemen. COL Tan said, "The SAFVC has trained you to be adaptive, respectful of others, more resilient and to better appreciate the sacrifices made by our NSmen, NSFs and regulars of the SAF to protect the sovereignty of our nation, and secure the peace and security that Singaporeans enjoy in our city-state...because of your training and experience in the SAFVC, you are now better able to support NSmen, NSFs and regulars in the sacred duty of defending Singapore, and the Singaporean way of life."

The Beret Presentation Parade marks the conclusion of the 2015 Basic Training and is a significant milestone for the SAFVC. The SAFVC enlisted three intakes of SVs this year. The first and third intake underwent the continuous two-week course from 24 Mar to 4 Apr 15 and 15 to 26 Jun respectively, while the second intake underwent the modular course over a series of weekends from 11 Apr to 14 Jun 15. The SVs will subsequently undergo one week of Qualification Training and if required, one week of Advanced Training to prepare them for their specific roles.