Chief of SAF Medical Corps retires
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from cyberpioneer
Report by Malcolm Tay
Photos by Roy Lim
Brigadier-General (BG) (Dr) Wong Yue Sie had seen some tough times during his tenure as Chief of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Medical Corps.
BG (Dr) Wong (left) hands over the command symbol to COL (Dr) John Wong, the next Chief of SAF Medical Corps.
Singapore's brush with the SARS virus prompted him to lead a review of health and operational policies in the Ministry of Defence and the SAF.
One year later, he directed the largest overseas deployment of SAF medical teams for the Asian tsunami relief efforts.
On 29 Sep, BG (Dr) Wong passed the mantle to Colonel (COL) (Dr) John Wong in a parade at the SAF Medical Corps' headquarters in Nee Soon Camp.
The New Chief of Medical Corps is also the Chief Naval Medical Officer - he will hold both posts concurrently.
"The years have gone by quickly and now, 21 years later, I'm preparing for the next stage of my life as I retire from the SAF," said BG (Dr) Wong in his farewell speech.
BG (Dr) Wong inspecting the parade for the last time as Chief of Medical Corps.
"I think the last five and a quarter years as Chief of the SAF Medical Corps have been the most challenging and eventful years of my career."
The disaster relief missions involving the SAF's medical staff, he said, "reminded us of our need to be operationally-ready at all times".
"This readiness is reflected not just in terms of having equipment, supplies and people available."
"It also means that we must have a system for building a response and ensuring that all of us in the Medical Corps are adequately prepared and skilled to do our jobs safely and effectively."
BG (Dr) Wong, who will be joining a public hospital, 'appealed' to his audience "to be kind to me" in this next phase of his career.
"If you are unhappy about the care you are receiving in the hospital, please write to me personally, rather than to the Forum page," he quipped. "I will certainly help to do what I can to sort things out."
COl (Dr) Wong taking the oath, witnessed by Chief of Defence Force LG Ng Yat Chung (right).
More than 300 guests witnessed the change of command parade, which was officiated by Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General (LG) Ng Yat Chung.
Also present were Members of Parliament Dr Lam Pin Min and Dr Lim Wee Kiak, who were once medical officers with the Air Force and Navy respectively. -
Why the parade so messy one?
Escort in Number 4 SBO, Parade in Navy Number 3, the BG in Number 5 Army and the new guy in Number 4 navy.
So when Brigadier-General (BG) (Dr) Wong Yue Sie retires, he will have 3 brackets in his name?
Brigadier-General (BG) (Dr) (Retd) Wong Yue Sie -
It's Medical Corps, possibly the least regimented of the lot. Anyways, as long as they can perform, who cares about the parade turnout?
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the incoming chief is wearing no.5 as well.Originally posted by Ponders:Why the parade so messy one?
Escort in Number 4 SBO, Parade in Navy Number 3, the BG in Number 5 Army and the new guy in Number 4 navy. -
How old is this chap? Looks young lei.
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sorry lah.. you see the time i post.. sleepy liao. haha.Originally posted by Gordonator:the incoming chief is wearing no.5 as well.
thanks for pointing out. -
Military : BG (DR) Wong Yue SieOriginally posted by Ponders:So when Brigadier-General (BG) (Dr) Wong Yue Sie retires, he will have 3 brackets in his name?
Brigadier-General (BG) (Dr) (Retd) Wong Yue Sie
Civilian : DR Wong Yue Sie, BG (RETD) -
COL(Dr) John Wong will definitely felt very awkward cos he will be the only naval personnel in the whole of nee soon camp.
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Originally posted by Gordonator:COL(Dr) John Wong will definitely felt very awarked cos he will be the only naval personal in the whole of nee soon camp. Perhaps his men will think that he is going to be less harsh on them?
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Later the hyberbaric centre will get more welfare.Originally posted by Gordonator:COL(Dr) John Wong will definitely felt very awarked cos he will be the only naval personal in the whole of nee soon camp.
Some how mysteriously, navy medics get more welfare, latest equipment, best bunk... -
Dr Wong Yue Sie is a very nice humble person. back then, will almost see him everyday when he drives to work. he will definitely salute back when u salute him. but won't make a big fuss even if u don't salute him.
think his skills and knowledge will be put to better use in a public hospital. all the best to him. -
The parade preparations took very long.. n certain things was needless n rediculous..
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doctors in military service should be pretty frenly one ? ...
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friendly???!!!! I met mine and he scolded me for nothing! For fear of me complaining or even do something foolish, minutes later, he apologised and said that pple wif rank(like him) likes to throw weight at pple... friendly...
Makes me wonder how many are actually friendly... -
MOs from CMPB and Tekong -- F*cked up and fierce.Originally posted by Pes F:friendly???!!!! I met mine and he scolded me for nothing! For fear of me complaining or even do something foolish, minutes later, he apologised and said that pple wif rank(like him) likes to throw weight at pple... friendly... Makes me wonder how many are actually friendly...
MOs from units - friendly and helpful -
true how true and quite generous with MCs tooOriginally posted by ah-soh:MOs from CMPB and Tekong -- F*cked up and fierce.
MOs from units - friendly and helpful -
maybe next july COL(Dr) John Wong will be promoted to RADM(DR) John Wong. the first Rear Admiral Doctor in the SAF.
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MOs from CMPB and Tekong are probably sick of seeing people day in, day out.Originally posted by ah-soh:MOs from CMPB and Tekong -- F*cked up and fierce.
MOs from units - friendly and helpful
I remember my unit MO had to be warned to not give MC so lightly!
Terrible if you ask me. Doctors should be allowed to do their jobs in a professional manner specific to their own proficiency. -
remember during my times in seletar camp where the reporting sick rate are quite high. We occasionally have 2 MOs where most of the time we have only 1. If one of the MO give out MCs very easy, he'll face with lot of people want to him the next day.Originally posted by nomood:MOs from CMPB and Tekong are probably sick of seeing people day in, day out.
I remember my unit MO had to be warned to not give MC so lightly!
Terrible if you ask me. Doctors should be allowed to do their jobs in a professional manner specific to their own proficiency. -
Don't think so; there's another naval LTC (DR) who is the Head Of CMMT (formerly known as BTW & ATW combined into one).Originally posted by Gordonator:COL(Dr) John Wong will definitely felt very awkward cos he will be the only naval personnel in the whole of nee soon camp.
He's one "garang" fella...hahahaha full of Over-The-Hill ideas..