Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It gives me great pleasure to be here this afternoon to commission the new Specialist and Warrant Officer Institute, the premier institution for the development of the SAF's Specialist and Warrant Officer Corps.

2.         During the groundbreaking ceremony three years ago, I spoke about the need for our training institutes to shape and develop leaders and commanders for the future. 

Modern warfare is immensely complex.   

The demands on the 3rd Generation SAF will be even more challenging, given the dynamic and uncertain security situation that we face.  

While countering conventional threats remains our core focus, the SAF must be prepared to undertake a wider spectrum of operations, including support for homeland security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations as well as peace support operations.

3.         In our force modernisation, the 3rd Generation SAF will continue to acquire and deploy cutting-edge weapon systems and information technology.  

The capability of the 3rd Generation SAF will be multiplied by our ability to work as an integrated force and to network various systems and capabilities to allow rapid dissemination of information and better situation awareness, enabling better command and control and the self-synchronisation of sensors and shooters on the battlefield. 

At the core of this transformation journey is the quality of our people.  We therefore need to prepare and equip our people to operate effectively not just for today’s battlefield, but also for a more dynamic and complex future operating environment.

4.         The Warrant Officer and Specialist corps plays an integral part in the SAF’s ability to achieve its mission. 

They play a key role as trainers and much of the values, technical skills and knowledge necessary for maintaining a credible and professional SAF resides within the Warrant Officer and Specialist corps. 

A strong focus on the development and training of the corps is therefore a key priority for the SAF. 

5.         This Specialist and Warrant Officer Institute or SWI will be the primary institution to provide a comprehensive system for the professional and leadership development of the SAF Warrant Officer and Specialist corps. 

It will oversee their general military training and education and serve as the central repository of their knowledge and expertise. 

The Institute will also prepare the SAF Warrant Officers and Specialists for their important role as partners with the Officer corps in providing leadership for the 3rd Generation SAF. 

The Specialist and Warrant Officer Institute will closely mirror the SAFTI Military Institute next door.

It will be the spiritual home of the Warrant Officer and Specialist corps, just as SAFTI MI is for the Officer corps. 

It will play a vital role in helping to promote a deeper sense of belonging and motivation among all SAF Warrant Officers and Specialists.

6.         Today, the Warrant Officer and Specialist corps is well-trained and highly professional. 

The Specialist and Warrant Officer Institute will further ensure a comprehensive and forward-looking programme for their leadership, management and skills development. 

However, we recognise that many of our people are capable of doing more. 

At the same time, there will increasingly be new organisational demands in the 3rd Generation SAF for higher educational qualifications and deep technical expertise in the Warrant Officer and Specialist Corps. 

Our Warrant Officers holding senior operational and training appointments will benefit from the wider perspectives that a degree education provides.

And they will be better able to lead and motivate the increasingly better educated regulars, NSFs and NS men in the SAF.

We will need well-educated and technically savvy Warrant Officers and Specialists in the highly technical areas of C4I, precision strike, and unmanned systems to keep these sophisticated systems operational and effective. 

Already, the technical demands are such that some jobs such as Signals Specialist, Naval Systems Specialist and Air Force Senior Technician will benefit from people with higher educational qualifications.

7.         We must continue to attract good diploma holders to join the Warrant Officer and Specialist corps. 

Currently, between 50 and 60% of each diploma cohort proceed on to a degree within 5 years of graduation from the polytechnics.

As the economy picks up, there will be keen competition for talent. 

We must ensure that our Premium Plan, which is the scheme of service for Warrant Officers and Specialists, remains an attractive career proposition to good diploma holders.

8.            Therefore, to meet future organisational needs and to ensure that a Warrant Officer and Specialist career remains attractive, MINDEF will expand education upgrading opportunities for our Warrant Officers and Specialists, to include the pursuit of degree courses. 

This will be made possible under the expanded Continuous Learning Academic Study Scheme (or CLASS), which was first introduced in 2001. 

Since its introduction, more than 300 Warrant Officers and Specialists have completed ITE, Diploma and Advanced Diploma programmes as part of CLASS. 

9.            Deserving Warrant Officers and Specialists who perform well will now be able to also pursue university degree courses at approved institutions, which may be done on a part-time or full-time basis.  MINDEF will pay the tuition fees and those sponsored for full-time studies will also be granted an annual allowance. 

Up to 60 full-time sponsorships will be offered annually.  

Specialists who meet the criteria in terms of performance and potential will be earmarked and sponsored for university studies early in their career, so that they can benefit from the opportunity and return to contribute to the SAF. 

Older Warrant Officers and Specialists who meet the academic and performance criteria can also apply for these degree programmes.

10.            Today’s commissioning of the Specialist and Warrant Officer Institute and the expanded CLASS programme which offers degree level education to our Warrant Officers and Specialists reflect MINDEF and the SAF’s continued commitment to developing our people to their full potential.   

With the combination of leadership development, professional training and academic upgrading opportunities, our people will be well equipped with the knowledge, skills and competencies to make a strong contribution to the 3rd Generation SAF.

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