Singapore appoints Sikh as its Army chief

[Yeti]

SINGAPORE: Singapore has appointed Brigadier General Ravider Singh as its next Army chief, the first Sikh in 30 years to be given the force's baton.

Singh, 41, takes over from Major-General Chan Chun Sing on March 25, Straits Times reported.

A Singaporean of Indian origin, Singh, is currently deputy secretary (technology) at the defence ministry. He joined the Singapore Armed Forces in December 1982.

Singh also served as assistant chief of General Staff (plans), head of Joint Communications and Information Systems Department, and chief of staff - joint staff.

Brig Gen Singh is also the first non-Chinese Chief of Army in nearly 30 years. Colonel Mancharan Singh Gill was the first ever when he took up the post in 1982, the report said.

Though Major-General Chan is retiring as announced by the Defence Ministry, local media speculates that he would be standing in the coming general election for a parliamentary seat under the banner of the ruling party People's Action Party.

Singapore appoints Sikh as its Army chief - The Times of India

 

[Kyusuibu Honbu]

I have the same doubt as this guy

abhixit (Kolkata)
19 mins ago (07:37 AM)
Very good news, but one question...if Brig. Singh joined Army in 1982, how can he be 41 now? Did he join armed forces at age 12?

 

[StingRoy]

New chief for Singapore Army

SINGAPORE - The Singapore Army will soon have a new chief.

Brigadier-General (BG) Ravinder Singh s/o Harchand Singh will replace Major-General (MG) Chan Chun Sing as Chief of Army on March 25 2011.

46-year-old BG Ravinder Singh, currently Deputy Secretary (Technology) in the Ministry of Defence, was previously Commanding Officer, 3rd Signal Battalion; Commander, 2nd Singapore Infantry Brigade and Assistant Chief of General Staff (Plans); Head Joint Communications and Information Systems Department.

He also held the posts of Head Joint Plans and Transformation Department; Commander 6th Division and Chief of Staff - Joint Staff.

BG Singh holds a and a Master of Arts (Engineering Science) from the University of Oxford, United Kingdom. He also holds a Master of Science (Management of Technology) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, United States of America.

The outgoing general, MG Chan Chun Sing, will be retiring from the SAF.

MG Chan was previously Commanding Officer 2nd Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment; Commander, 10th Singapore Infantry Brigade; Head Joint Plans and Transformation Department.

HE was also Commander 9th Division and Chief Infantry Officer, and Chief of Staff - Joint Staff.

 

[StingRoy]

I have the same doubt as this guy

The article from asiaone (posted above) mentions his age to be 46. So 17 when he joined the Army.... sounds reasonable... Looks like the TOI got excited and made some copy paste error.

 

[CardSharp]

These are some pretty young generals and chefs of the at to boot

 

[StingRoy]

These are some pretty young generals and chefs of the at to boot

I guess older people just chose to retire early ... maybe .. just guessing.

I read somewhere else... Who is the largest threat to Singapore.... Godzilla

 

[Anonymous user]

I guess older people just chose to retire early ... maybe .. just guessing.

I read somewhere else... Who is the largest threat to Singapore.... Godzilla

Lets say we have unpredictable neighbors

Thought things are getting better with increasing globalization

 

[StingRoy]

Lets say we have unpredictable neighbors

Thought things are getting better with increasing globalization

I agree... please take my comment lightly...

Can you tell us why Singapore has a history of young army chiefs?

 

[Anonymous user]

I agree... please take my comment lightly...

Can you tell us why Singapore has a history of young army chiefs?

No worries mate cool

Its all quite political actually, I am not an expert but I will try to explain based on what I have observed over the years.

1. The political party in control of Singapore is very wary of the Chief of Army serving too long a period, I assume they like the post to be rotated regularly to prevent a buildup of power by a single person which may go against their doctrine. Hence the person assuming post is never on it for too long
2. Almost any senior army staff would almost be guaranteed a position in a government linked firm as a board of directors after they leave the force (i.e they get paid just for going to meetings etc). Many of the senior staff like generals etc always look to move to the private sector after serving a number of years, this is also forms an incentive for them to have a form of power and status after leaving their roles in the forces. This again is to support point number 1 as above.

 

[ameer219]

No worries mate cool

Its all quite political actually, I am not an expert but I will try to explain based on what I have observed over the years.

1. The political party in control of Singapore is very wary of the Chief of Army serving too long a period, I assume they like the post to be rotated regularly to prevent a buildup of power by a single person which may go against their doctrine. Hence the person assuming post is never on it for too long
2. Almost any senior army staff would almost be guaranteed a position in a government linked firm as a board of directors after they leave the force (i.e they get paid just for going to meetings etc). Many of the senior staff like generals etc always look to move to the private sector after serving a number of years, this is also forms an incentive for them to have a form of power and status after leaving their roles in the forces. This again is to support point number 1 as above.

I have one question. Sikhs in Singapore represents a very small minority compared the largest Minority in Singapore who are the Malays, I don't understand why not even a Single malay has ever achieved a high ranking military position, especially in the Air force. Are they worried that Malays might support Malaysia in an event with a war with them(speculation)?

 

[Patriot]

These are some pretty young generals and chefs of the at to boot

and this rank is not too senior either.Just one star General (Brig General)..Usually Chief's tend to be 4 star Generals

 

[Capt.Popeye]

and this rank is not too senior either.Just one star General (Brig General)..Usually Chief's tend to be 4 star Generals

First of all, its a small army of a City-Republic. Making the rank 4 or 5 star would seem pretentious------remember Field Marshal Idi Amin!
And the COAS is a Maj.Gen.

 

[Bigoren]

I have one question. Sikhs in Singapore represents a very small minority compared the largest Minority in Singapore who are the Malays, I don't understand why not even a Single malay has ever achieved a high ranking military position, especially in the Air force. Are they worried that Malays might support Malaysia in an event with a war with them(speculation)?

No,the largest races in Singapore is Chinese.I think you have been reversed situation in Singapore and Malaysia.

 

[Anonymous user]

I have one question. Sikhs in Singapore represents a very small minority compared the largest Minority in Singapore who are the Malays, I don't understand why not even a Single malay has ever achieved a high ranking military position, especially in the Air force. Are they worried that Malays might support Malaysia in an event with a war with them(speculation)?

Unfortunately that is the case and its an open secret really, the government are worried in case a war breaks out they might go against the interest of Singapore. Its quite unfortunate though because many of my Malay friends I am sure are loyal to Singapore thru and thru but the govt doesn't leave things to chance. Most of them aren't impacted anyway because like us we just want to do our 2 1/2 years and buzz off