MINDEF issued a statement yesterday (26 Dec) saying that its Chief of Army Brigadier-General (BG) Goh Si Hou will be promoted to the rank of Major-General as of 1 Jan next year.
The smiling BG Goh received his promotion certificate from Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, who was also seen smiling, in a simple ceremony at MINDEF yesterday.
Generally speaking, SAF’s Service Chiefs would receive their Major-General ranks soon after their appointments, “in recognition of the responsibilities of the office”.
BG Goh was appointed nine months ago as Chief of Army, after his predecessor Major-General (MG) Melvyn Ong Su Kiat took over from Lieutenant-General (LG) Perry Lim Cheng Yeow as Chief of Defence Force (CDF) in Mar this year.
President Scholar
BG Goh, 40, joined the SAF in 1997 and was awarded the President’s Scholarship as well as the SAF Overseas Scholarship.
When he was the Commander of 6th Singapore Division, he oversaw the development of the new Combined Arms Training Centre to strengthen the Army’s training system, and led the Division through key Army exercises and bilateral training with foreign partners, MINDEF noted.
“As Assistant Chief of General Staff (Plans), he charted the long-term transformation plans for the Army, to meet emerging security threats and NS resource challenges through force restructuring and new operational concepts,” MINDEF said.
“In his earlier appointments in MINDEF, BG Goh led the implementation of new military career schemes to enhance recruitment and retention for the SAF. He also headed a project office supporting the Committee to Strengthen National Service, which led to initiatives such as the formation of the SAF Volunteer Corps.”
BG Goh has also served previously as Commanding Officer, 20th Battalion Singapore Artillery and Commander 3rd Division Artillery.
“In these appointments, he also led the public outreach and engagement efforts for National Day Parade 2009 and 2013,” MINDEF added.
Army Chiefs promoted to Ministers
Some Army Chiefs like MG (NS) Chan Chun Sing would later be “invited” to join PAP and enter politics.
Today, Chan has been named by PAP to be their 2nd Assistant Secretary-General and together with Heng Swee Kiat, would form the 4th generation leaders of PAP.
PAP expects Chan and Heng to lead Singapore after the next GE which many are expecting it to be in next year.
