Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen officiated at the Goh Keng Swee Command and Staff College (GKS CSC) Command and Staff Course (CSC) 2023 Graduation Ceremony, held at the Istana this evening. This ceremony marked the completion of the 54th CSC, 24th CSC (National Service), and the 20th and 21st CSC (Executive) respectively. A total of 232 leaders graduated from the GKS CSC, comprising 133 regular officers, 36 National Service (NS) officers; 40 military experts and four warrant officers from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF); one Singapore Police Force officer; and 18 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.

This year, GKS CSC introduced the inaugural "Outstanding International Officer Graduate" award for the top performing International Officer. The award recognises the important contributions that the international officers bring to the GKS CSC. Addressing the graduands, Dr Ng spoke on the complex geopolitical landscape globally, citing the invasion of Ukraine and the Middle East conflict as examples. He said, "All of us also know that without understanding and respect for each other's perspectives, our belief and value systems, our motivations, the path to mutual accommodation, let alone reconciliation, cannot be found. Which is why Singapore appreciates the presence of international officers at the GKS CSC."

Speaking on the important role of the military profession and heavy mantle of leadership, Dr Ng added, "We enter into a potentially precarious decade that can decide whether this generation will see continued peace or more violence … These challenges that you will face as senior leaders in your organisations are and should be sobering ... Even well-oiled militaries need incisive and decisive leadership that are able to adapt to the constant challenge and dynamic of forces that want to do harm to our people and break the precious peace of countries we live in."