Navy Leaders Graduate from Command and Staff Courses

“ Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other. ”

- John F. Kennedy

Yesterday, our naval officers, engineers, and military experts graduated from the 51st Command and Staff Course (CSC), and the 14th & 15th CSC (Executive) courses. The graduation ceremony was held at the Goh Keng Swee Command and Staff College in SAFTI Military Institute. 

2020 has not been an easy year. Despite the challenges thrown in their way, our naval officers and engineers remained undeterred. They continued on with their respective courses to hone their leadership skills, sharpen their strategic and organisational thinking, and fine-tune their operational planning.

"Our journey in adapting to the COVID-19 situation was truly memorable." – MAJ Koh Mao Jiang, Top Navy Graduate from the 51st CSC.

MAJ Koh Mao Jiang, 51st CSC Top Navy Graduate.

"I remember our initial concerns at the start and questioned the effectiveness of conducting the course online. However, we soon realised that there was no other alternative – we had to adapt or risk cancelling the course. We were determined to make it work and sought to maximise every opportunity that came our way. We turned the 'negatives' into 'positives', and demonstrated adaptability and resilience which are essential qualities for the SAF to thrive in an increasingly uncertain and complex environment."

Attending the CSC is not just another course to gain professional knowledge. It is also part of their SAF journey to hone their leadership acumen. 

ME5 Looi Wei Chang, 51st CSC Distinguished Navy Graduate.

"Attending CSC has allowed me to gain better clarity of who I am and what I stand for. I hope that this will enable me to be a better leader, one that will guide and groom the future generations in our organisation." – ME5 Looi Wei Chang, Distinguished Navy Graduate from the 51st CSC. 

Echoing ME5 Looi's reflections, MAJ Li Mei Fang from the 14th CSC(E) also shared her takeaway from the course. 

"I am more acutely aware of my individual leadership effectiveness, style, impact, and influence. While the theoretical concepts were useful, it was the practical sessions when we practiced personal coaching and "360 feedback" that really enhanced our self-awareness." – MAJ Li

"CSC is a pinnacle course for SAF leaders. The programme in itself is already rigorous, but it was my classmates' contributions, different perspectives, and frank conversations that elevated our learning."

MAJ Li Mei Fang, 14th CSC(E).

"This is a life-changing course. The knowledge that I gained in this course will definitely stay with me for a lifetime. In fact, it is because of this course that I am more diligent in journaling – it's a good habit that will also help me improve my writing!" – ME5 Ng Cheng Boon, 15th CSC(E).

ME5 Ng Cheng Boon, 15th CSC(E).

Bravo Zulu to all of our navy graduates from the 51st CSC, 14th CSC(E), and 15th CSC(E)! We wish each and every one of you the very best as you continue in your journey in the navy – and we look forward to seeing you achieve great things! 

(Photos courtesy of Arron Koh and Joel Lai from NIC)