SAFOS
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The SAF Overseas Scholarship (SAFOS) was introduced in 1971, with the aim of recruiting top students of each year's GCE 'A' Levels cohort to serve in MINDEF and the SAF. The SAFOS is widely recognised as second in prestige to the President's Scholarship, with unparalleled career prospects.
Only about 1,000 of 5,000 male NSFs who sit for the GCE 'A' levels each year will be selected for officer cadet training. Amongst them, only about 60 will qualify for the SAFOS selection.
The SAFOS will pursue challenges and diversity of experiences within the SAF and MINDEF. Their career paths are not limited to MINDEF and the SAF. Suitable scholars may be deployed in other Ministries as well.
With the heavy emphasis on talent grooming and management, MINDEF has a committee chaired by the top management that oversees talent management policies. This is explicitly shown in the developmental programmes that MINDEF provides for the SAF overseas scholars, which groom them to assume key appointments.
With ample training and exposure through taking on a variety of challenging command and staff appointments, the SAF overseas scholars are well prepared to hold top management positions in the SAF, public service and private sector.
The selected scholars will be paid a full officer's salary during their course of study, and receive a monthly maintenance allowance and an annual book allowance. Commissioned as 2nd Lieutenants in their first year of studies, the scholars will be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in their second year. One year after graduation, they will be promoted to the rank of Captain.
Just wondering...the accelerated promotion for these group of personalities...are they rewards to their performance or are they just given freely as they are scholars? Personally, (don't flame me for being jealous etc.) I'm just wondering, how competent are these guys serving in the command role and their ability to perform under combat situations.Just curios...anyone ever had experience with SAFOS scholars, please share. Thanks! -
They go battle with their minds. The men will do the physical battle for them.
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my platoon mate was a SAFOS holder... When he was CPC, u can see the leadership aura in him sia
never once holland when he was CPC 
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Saw somewhere that got once this chap lost his rifle in Brunei...but he got a way light other then a little trashing by the senior officers...is it true that this group are priviledged and sheltered from rain and wind? As seriously...I'm thinking that its unfair to the others as its like an "old boy's club" sorta like an alumni for those who can study. Don't know if you guys agree but...Being awarded the scholarship just means that you can study, it doesn't mean that you have good leadership or human relationship yeah
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Back in 1995 when I went for my ORD shoot at Mandai range, this president cum SAFOS scholar OC with a Major rank on his epaulettes misfire a shot before the conducting officer gave the instruction to fire. When he shouted out who misfire, the Major raised up his hand and everyone just kept quiet ... if this happen to me, I would have given 3 extras ...
The Major is now a BG and chief of a formation. -
well, it proves that everybody makes mistakes.
lets say the guy is a warrant off, what could have happened (get punished, extra)? was the maj given any extra?
seriously i don't thaink any senior off would be punished when he misfires.
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I was at a CPX when the young colonel running the show started chatting loudly about MIT to one of the one bars .... one bar's going to MIT, and the colonel/scholar was giving him the ins and outs ... yaya papaya ... he evidently wanted the whole world to hear about him being an MIT alumni ......
oh well .... he got roundly humbled at that exercise by a more experienced lau chiau colonel in the enemy force later on .... -
This draws me to the conclusion...in the Modern Singapore...its not the amount of experience or years of service which counts or is impt...but its the amount of laminated diplomas,degrees,certificates,master degrees,PhDs which slide you the way up the ladder.Originally posted by Fatum:I was at a CPX when the young colonel running the show started chatting loudly about MIT to one of the one bars .... one bar's going to MIT, and the colonel/scholar was giving him the ins and outs ... yaya papaya ... he evidently wanted the whole world to hear about him being an MIT alumni ......
oh well .... he got roundly humbled at that exercise by a more experienced lau chiau colonel in the enemy force later on ....
Frankly with the example quoted above, it draws to mind that if you are not trained in war or lack the comabt experience, the amount of laminated academic papers will protect you from the enemy's rounds,missiles,rockets. Just a thought, does any of the SAFOS scholars, whom end up in top positions in the SAF, actually have a degree in defense or war related academics. As mostly I see end up getting some science or business related degree such as Economics etc...whats the use of those in the military? The way I see it is that, they study this as the government is preping. them for what happens after their service with MINDEF, not what happends during their service with MINDEF. -
All these OS only take SAF as a stepping stone and playground before they proceed on to be some director of GLC companies or MP in the parliament...honestly speaking...only a few can make it....most of them sucks when they come into the outside world...the real world...that's y i have never agreed to promote ppl on the gound of academics rather than achievement which is typical style of our "beloved" PAP...
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This truth is not limited to SAF. It strongly applies to the working world as well. Fresh MBA recruited as IB giving advice to 20 year business vet who worked his company from scratch to million dollar empire. Happens everyday, and everywhere.
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Looking at this year's crop of SAFOS scholars, I feel rather sad and bewildered that all of them are going to study science or engineering subjects, which will not be of much use at all during their future careers. It would be much better of SAFOS scholars study the humanities, especially history and geography, so that they can better understand the world situation around them and thus formulate better policies for the SAF of the future, and in times of war or peacekeeping duties, relate better to the circumstances on the ground. Leave the science and engineering to those tech geeks at DSTA and STK.
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Luckily the Conducting nevershout, "which CB blur f*ck misfire?"Originally posted by flash9933:Back in 1995 when I went for my ORD shoot at Mandai range, this president cum SAFOS scholar OC with a Major rank on his epaulettes misfire a shot before the conducting officer gave the instruction to fire. When he shouted out who misfire, the Major raised up his hand and everyone just kept quiet ... if this happen to me, I would have given 3 extras ...
The Major is now a BG and chief of a formation. -
Can picture the Major raising his hand in response, acknowledging that he is the bloody blur f*ck..Originally posted by Ponders:Luckily the Conducting nevershout, "which CB blur f*ck misfire?" -
from den on, the conducting officer nv hear abt his promotion anymore...Originally posted by iSpeak:Can picture the Major raising his hand in response, acknowledging that he is the bloody blur f*ck.. -
Treat all officers one extra round of Tiger at the mess.?!!?Originally posted by saline:well, it proves that everybody makes mistakes.
lets say the guy is a warrant off, what could have happened (get punished, extra)? was the maj given any extra?
seriously i don't thaink any senior off would be punished when he misfires. -
It doesn't mean that what happening in the private sector should be happening in the military. In time of war they will be the so call leaders. How can a soldier trust their life in the hands of such ppl who do not have the ability to lead or come out with strategy thats good.Originally posted by pwnz0r:This truth is not limited to SAF. It strongly applies to the working world as well. Fresh MBA recruited as IB giving advice to 20 year business vet who worked his company from scratch to million dollar empire. Happens everyday, and everywhere.
I feel that the scholars are promoted too fast. How will they be able to relate to the infantry and understand their needs, strengths or weakness. This knowledge are important both to raise the moral of the soldiers and also to come up with a relevant strategy which make full use of their strength and not expose their weakness to the enemy. Furthermore, recurits will be unhappy by such decision and will not fully obey the decisions by the top. I remember that the navy has some strategy test thing. This guy come out 2nd beating all the scholars who take part except one which is from oxford. This guy was hoping to get promoted to captain but guesse what a fresh scholar came and took the place. The guy was so piss off that he quit. See, brain drain in the army. Moreover, what will the other recruit think. This underline the bacis rule of military, shan fa fen ming.
So if anyone ask me why i am unwilling to protect Singapore in time of war, this will be one of the main reasons. How cld i trust a military where all the generals are scholar. Even Isreal season generals make mistakes in war. I will not be the gunie pigs to let these generals learn from their mistake. -
I can't help but agree on this. The academics are best left elsewhere where they can do most help. In the military, in fact any military, we need men whom are not after stars...but those who will serve their country unflinchingly under fire, under pressure and under any circumstances. And the scholars...I personally feel are a tad too uncreative and are not flexible to adapt to the situations given. In war, resoruces is a thing which will always be scarce...sio what if they can't call in an air-strike coz the Strategy 101 manual says that has to be done? all operations have to cease and wait till the air-strike is made available? Honestly,why hasn't anyone raised this up to the SAF,MINDEF or the papers?Originally posted by NewAge:It doesn't mean that what happening in the private sector should be happening in the military. In time of war they will be the so call leaders. How can a soldier trust their life in the hands of such ppl who do not have the ability to lead or come out with strategy thats good.
I feel that the scholars are promoted too fast. How will they be able to relate to the infantry and understand their needs, strengths or weakness. This knowledge are important both to raise the moral of the soldiers and also to come up with a relevant strategy which make full use of their strength and not expose their weakness to the enemy. Furthermore, recurits will be unhappy by such decision and will not fully obey the decisions by the top. I remember that the navy has some strategy test thing. This guy come out 2nd beating all the scholars who take part except one which is from oxford. This guy was hoping to get promoted to captain but guesse what a fresh scholar came and took the place. The guy was so piss off that he quit. See, brain drain in the army. Moreover, what will the other recruit think. This underline the bacis rule of military, shan fa fen ming.
So if anyone ask me why i am unwilling to protect Singapore in time of war, this will be one of the main reasons. How cld i trust a military where all the generals are scholar. Even Isreal season generals make mistakes in war. I will not be the gunie pigs to let these generals learn from their mistake. -
Hi all, I'm just curious about the promotion rate for officers in the Singapore military.
After reading this thread and others, I get the impression that the average age of officers in the Singapore military is relatively young. Is there is an early mandatory retirement age?
I'm aware that a university degree is not a requirement (though strongly recommended) for officers, and that many lieutenants are doing their national service (hence, around 19-21 years of age).
I read in one of the other posts that one Colonel was only 29 or something... To say that I was "surprised" would be an understatement! Is this true?? (Maybe it was LTC, not COL...I don't exactly remember).
(P.S. I served in the Korea Army for my military service) -
yes most retire by 45......this is to keep the mean age low...
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Which is why scholars tend to get promoted faster, so that they can reach the upper echelons before they're forced to retire and get posted to other positions within the government, statutory boards or GLCs. And yes I do believe that promotion should be based on merit rather than any extraordinary status like "scholar". And I was appalled to hear from my unit's COPA that the CO told him frankly that he was in it for the money. Another reason that the SAF is a fighting force on paper only.Originally posted by vileycl:yes most retire by 45......this is to keep the mean age low... -
Comberbache, there's a lot behind the spit and polish of the SAF.
Leadership renewal is a political tool, designed to ensure that personalities do not get entrenched..
As far as I know, there is no West Point/Sandhurst graduate holding any COA or CDF appointment.Can someone clarify? -
From what i know without oxford or cambridge u cant even be a captain
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I know of officers who are Diploma holders who are holding the ranks of MAJ and LTC .. and they are ard 30 to 32 yrs old ..Originally posted by NewAge:From what i know without oxford or cambridge u cant even be a captain -
Those must be the exceptional ones. Usually with only diploma you won't rise to MAJ or LTC so fast.Originally posted by one-niner:I know of officers who are Diploma holders who are holding the ranks of MAJ and LTC .. and they are ard 30 to 32 yrs old .. -
11 years between MAJ n BG? that's fast.... what formation?Originally posted by flash9933:Back in 1995 when I went for my ORD shoot at Mandai range, this president cum SAFOS scholar OC with a Major rank on his epaulettes misfire a shot before the conducting officer gave the instruction to fire. When he shouted out who misfire, the Major raised up his hand and everyone just kept quiet ... if this happen to me, I would have given 3 extras ...
The Major is now a BG and chief of a formation.