SERVICEMEN REAFFIRM COMMITMENT TO DEFENCE ON SAF DAY

https://www.defencepioneer.sg/images/default-source/articles/milestone/2022/1-july-2022/01jul22new2_photo1.jpg?sfvrsn=530ad65e_1 https://www.defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/servicemen-reaffirm-commitment-to-defence-on-saf-day
SERVICEMEN REAFFIRM COMMITMENT TO DEFENCE ON SAF DAY https://www.defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/servicemen-reaffirm-commitment-to-defence-on-saf-day
01 Jul 2022 | MILESTONES

SERVICEMEN REAFFIRM COMMITMENT TO DEFENCE ON SAF DAY

The SAF celebrates its birthday and commemorates NS55 with combined rededication ceremonies in the morning and the resumption of a full-scale parade in the evening.
//Story by Teo Jing Ting //Photos by Kenneth Lin
Dr Ng (third from left, with grey tie) and Chief of Army Major-General David Neo (third from right) reciting the pledge at the SAF Day combined rededication ceremony at Temasek Polytechnic.

Close to 500 Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) from 460 companies and their employers reaffirmed their commitment to the defence of Singapore, in the morning of 1 Jul on Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Day.

The SAF Day combined rededication ceremonies were held across the island at Temasek Polytechnic, Procter and Gamble Singapore Innovation Center, Trade Association Hub and Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Dr Ng urging NSmen to continue to defend those they love and their way of life.

In his SAF Day message, Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen reminded Singaporeans of the need for a strong SAF to safeguard Singapore’s peace and sovereignty.

This is especially important amid uncertain times as the war in Ukraine continues and the countries become increasingly divided.

"The world at large is at a dangerous point of history, and the SAF must be prepared for all eventualities… We have trained hard for many years to become a modern and capable military," he said.

"Whether for the Army, Navy, Air Force and soon the Digital and Intelligence Service, capabilities have been systematically built up so that we stand ready and able to defend all of Singapore’s borders – on air, land, sea and in cyberspace."

Dr Ng, who delivered his annual message at Temasek Polytechnic, also paid tribute to the contributions of NSmen as the nation marks 55 years of National Service (NS55) this year.

Representatives of companies pledging their support for NS.

Participating businesses and organisations pledged their support for NS through the NS Mark Accreditation Scheme during the ceremonies.

"We take pride that NSmen are the backbone of national defence – ordinary citizens each performing an extraordinary role to defend those they love and our way of life in our home," said Dr Ng.

He added: "I am confident that every man or woman in the SAF will do his or her utmost to assure their family, friends, and members of the public that the SAF can be depended on to defend Singapore and her interests."

President Halimah reviewing the parade at SAFT MI.

Resumption of full-scale parade

Celebrations for the SAF Day continued into the evening with a full-scale physical parade at SAFTI Military Institute (SAFTI MI).

This is the first time the SAF Day Parade is back in full force since the COVID-19 pandemic two years ago. It was officiated by President Halimah Yacob and attended by more than 2,000 servicemen.

Madam Halimah (left) presenting the State Colours to Major Tan Rui Lin, Commanding Officer (CO) of 1st Commando Battalion.
During the parade, President Halimah presented the State Colours to this year's Best Combat Unit – 1st Commando Battalion – while Dr Ng presented 29 Best Unit and Best National Service Unit awards.
Dr Ng (left) presenting the Best Fleet Unit award to Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Tung Wanling, CO of frigate RSS Tenacious.
Major (MAJ) Joel Ng (right), CO of 143 Squadron, receiving the Best Fighter Squadron award from Dr Ng.

Dr Ng also presented NSman of the Year awards to 19 NSmen at a post-parade ceremony in recognition of their contributions.

Among them is LTC (NS) Graham Gerard Ong-Webb, who is receiving his second NSman of the Year award. He first received it during NS50 (50th anniversary of National Service) in 2017.

For these three NSman of the Year award recipients – (from left) 1WO (NS) Surindranath S/O Kaseenthanan, LTC (NS) Graham and MAJ (NS) Muhammad Fazli Bin Zulkifli – this year's parade was a special one as it marked NS55.

What the Brigade Chief-of-Staff from Headquarters (HQ) 54th Singapore Armoured Brigade (54 SAB) holds dear is the time spent with his brothers-in-arms.

"For me, the precious moments have never been about any particular training or course, but the people I've been with. It's about my brothers serving NS with me – literally being in trenches, doing field exercises and going through thick and thin together," said LTC (NS) Graham.

LTC (NS) Graham (left) receiving the NSman of the Year award from Dr Ng.

The 47-year-old is the Vice President and head of the Future Technology Centre in the Group Technology Office of Singapore Technologies Engineering.

"This is what it means to be a national serviceman, and that brings me a lot of joy and fulfilment."

The resumption of a physical SAF Day Parade has allowed him to catch up with his fellow buddies face to face – an opportunity where he no longer takes for granted.

"There's so many of us and you can't see everyone at the same time. But the SAF Day Parade is one of those moments where you can do that… And that's what we are all looking forward to."

Dr Ng (right) presenting the NSman of the Year award to MAJ (NS) Fazli (centre).

Receiving the award this year during NS55 was especially memorable for MAJ (NS) Muhammad Fazli Bin Zulkifli.

The 35-year-old S3 from 2nd Combat Support Hospital (2 CSH) was among those who were tasked to set up the Community Care Facility at the Singapore Expo when the pandemic first struck in 2020.

Despite becoming a father merely three months ago then, MAJ (NS) Fazli readily answered the call of duty.

The design and aesthetic teacher from Beatty Secondary School even phoned and rallied his fellow NSmen to join him for the two-week In-camp Training (ICT). The team cared for many COVID-19 patients, most of whom were migrant workers.

Even after his soldiers completed their ICT, MAJ (NS) Fazli extended his service for another two weeks to oversee the handover process to his successor from 8 CSH.

While he's appreciative of the award, what matters most to the father-of-two is seeing his soldiers enjoy their ICT.

"Whatever I do, I do it with sincerity and I do it for my men. I want to ensure that I'm answerable for their training and most importantly, for them to enjoy coming into ICT. That is my greatest fulfilment."

1WO (NS) Surindranath (left) receiving the NSman of the Year award from Dr Ng.

For 1st Warrant Officer (1WO) (NS) Surindranath S/O Kaseenthanan, it was a privilege for him to receive the award after 25 years of service.

Of course, even without the award, he would still serve the nation to the best of his abilities, said the 47-year-old Brigade Sergeant Major from HQ 56 SAB.

On top of his work, family and NS commitments, he actively volunteers in his free time by caring for foreign workers. And as the secretary of SAFRA Toa Payoh's Executive Committee, he plans activities that enhance the experience of NSmen and their families.

"Family is an important component of the soldier's life. (Having their) support and well-being is very important for soldiers (so they can) go and have a stress-free training," said the father-of-two.

1WO (NS) Surindranath, who is an administration manager in Kheng Cheng School, also feels that this year of NS55 is especially significant for NSmen.

"When we serve NS, we all come together and go through challenges together… It binds us and forges a lot of bonds," said 1WO (NS) Surindranath.

"NS has essentially become a fabric of our society and it is our story."

Suggested Reading
Feature
NDP 2025 BRINGS THE PARTY TO THE HEARTLANDS
MILESTONES
01 Jul 2022

The National Day festivities don’t end at the Padang! Continue the fun at five heartland locations on 10 Aug.

Cover story
COORDINATED JUMP BY RED LIONS & NAVAL DIVERS AT NDP
MILESTONES
01 Jul 2022

It’s the first time the Red Lions and Naval Divers are jumping into two different locations – the Padang and Marina Bay respectively – as part of a coordinated display!

Feature
60 YEARS ON, THEIR COMMITMENT REMAINS STRONG
MILESTONES
01 Jul 2022

The SAF celebrated its 60th anniversary on 1 Jul with a special SAF Day Parade and Combined Rededication Ceremonies across Singapore. 

Cover story
BRINGING THEIR A-GAME IN SAF BEST UNIT COMPETITION
MILESTONES
01 Jul 2022

These units were recognised for their outstanding achievements in this year’s SAF Best Unit Competition. Find out what makes them champions!

Feature
RECOGNISING THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SAF
MILESTONES
01 Jul 2022

These servicemen were among over 1,200 MINDEF and SAF personnel who are being promoted for their good performance and potential – meet COL Fairoz, SWO Zulkarnaen, MAJ Muhammad Iskandar and 1SG Muhd Hidhir.

NDP 2025 SHOW EXPANDS FROM PADANG TO MARINA BAY
MILESTONES
01 Jul 2022

This year’s NDP show will be a musical extravaganza with over 3,000 performers, eight land and water floats, and the largest mobile stage ever used in NDP history!

Feature
PREPARING THE PARADE FOR SAF’S DIAMOND JUBILEE
MILESTONES
01 Jul 2022

SAF Day Parade Commander LTC Shew Narian and Parade Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) ME4 Lee Han Seng share how they and the parade participants have been hard at work to put up the perfect parade come 1 Jul.

Cover story
First air-land-sea display at NDP 2025 Mobile Column
MILESTONES
01 Jul 2022

The NDP Mobile Column makes its highly anticipated return this year not just on land, but also in the air and in the waters of Marina Bay!

SAFVC turns 10, promotes senior volunteers to SV4
MILESTONES
01 Jul 2022

Marking a decade of duty, the SAF Volunteer Corps (SAFVC) celebrates its 10th anniversary this year with a special parade featuring some of its first as well as latest batch of volunteers.

FROM COMMANDO TO NAVAL OFFICER
MILESTONES
01 Jul 2022

A Commando NSF turned Naval Officer, 2LT Arjan Singh made the transition from jungle to sea when he signed up with the Navy.