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President Halimah urges support for National Servicemen as they are ‘bedrock of national defence’

SINGAPORE — President Halimah Yacob visited recruits undergoing training at the Basic Military Training Centre (BMTC) on Tuesday (Jan 23), and urged Singaporeans to continue to show their support for National Servicemen.

Singapore President Halimah Yacob speaking to recruits at the SAF Basic Millitary Traning Centre at Pulau Tekong on January 23, 2017. Photo: Koh Mui Fong/TODAY

Singapore President Halimah Yacob speaking to recruits at the SAF Basic Millitary Traning Centre at Pulau Tekong on January 23, 2017. Photo: Koh Mui Fong/TODAY

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SINGAPORE — President Halimah Yacob visited recruits undergoing training at the Basic Military Training Centre (BMTC) on Tuesday (Jan 23), and urged Singaporeans to continue to show their support for National Servicemen.

In her first visit to the BMTC, the Republic’s Head of State was accorded a welcome ceremony by 24 guards at the Pulau Tekong ferry terminal instead of at the BMTC Landmark Square, as a passing shower occurred during her arrival.

The President was then given an introductory briefing by Commander of the BMTC, Colonel Patrick Ong, on the training recruits undergo at the centre.

She spent about 30 minutes touring the National Service (NS) Gallery, which showcases various aspects of the NS experience, before visiting recruits at their training shed and parade square.

There, she observed the soldiers undergoing training on close combat and technical handling of the rifle SAR 21. She also took the time to ask them about their time in BMTC, and their most memorable NS experience so far.

Speaking to the media after her visit, President Halimah stressed the importance of NS as the cornerstone of Singapore’s defence and called for Singaporeans to show their support for servicemen.

“NS is the bedrock of our national defence,” she said. “We depend on a strong defence for Singapore’s continued survival, success and security... therefore we must constantly show our servicemen encouragement and support, because they are protecting our interest and they are responsible for our defence.”

She also commended the Singapore Armed Forces’ efforts in staying updated with the latest training technologies.

“We have new generations of recruits coming in, and they learn differently not like past generations, so there must be changes to keep up with new needs and evolving styles of learning,” President Halimah said.

Mentioning that two of her sons have also served NS, she said: “I must attest to the fact that NS really contributed towards their growth and development as individuals, and I’m sure many parents would also feel the same.”

During her visit, President Halimah was accompanied by Senior Minister of State for Defence Mohamad Maliki Osman, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Perry Lim, Chief of Army Major-General Melvyn Ong, and other senior officers from the Singapore Army.

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