aristocracy of armed talent

342 Pages·2014·2.76 MB·English

ARISTOCRACY OF ARMED TALENT
THE MOTIVATION, COMMITMENT, AND ASCENSION
OF MILITARY ELITES IN SINGAPORE (1965-2014)
SAMUEL LING WEI CHAN
Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy in International & Political Studies
at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences
University of New South Wales, Australia Defence Force Academy
Submitted for examination: June 2014
Accepted by the school: October 2014
THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES
Thesis/Dissertation Sheet
Surname or Family name: Chan
First name: Samuel Other name/s: Ling Wei
Abbreviation for degree as given in the University calendar: PhD
School: School of Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty: University College
Title:
Aristocracy of Armed Talent: The Motivation, Commitment, and Ascension of Military Elites in Singapore (1965-2014)

Abstract 350 words maximum: (PLEASE TYPE)

This thesis examined why generals and admirals in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) were motivated to join the
military as regulars, why they remained on active service, and how they ascended to the pinnacle of the office corps.
Theories and empirical studies drawn from psychology, sociology, and the management sciences served as sensitizing
concepts which guided data collection. Twenty-eight retired military elites drawn from vocations across the tri-service
SAF shared their ‘lived experiences’ during semi-structured interviews. There were primary and secondary motivations
to join the SAF. The former included prestigious scholarships, that the SAF was the best career option available, military
medicine was an atypical path for doctors, cutting-edge technology and technical competency, and genuine interests in
the armed forces. The latter categories comprised salary, flying, the sea, ‘escaping’ conscription in the army, and familial
roles in the choice of a military career. Although an officer could join the SAF nothing obliged him to serve until
retirement. For the military elites their commitment to service was bi-dimensional. Transactional commitment was
rooted in egoism and manifested in varying shades of obligations to stay in uniform, remuneration, and career
progression. Yet these generals and admirals all converged toward an altruistic transformational commitment to their
comrades-in-arms, the profession-of-arms, and the sacred mission apportioned to the SAF. Finally, officer ascension
reflected both processes and structure. Officers received postings and promotion predicated on their performance and
potential (not seniority) which are closely scrutinized to avoid cronyism. While there are no cookie-cutter pathways, the
ascension structure favoured those who held command and is also subjected to organizational requirements and
political considerations. Wearing a star or more not only reflected technical competency but was an amalgamation of
military professionalism, critical responsibility, impeccable character, diplomatic acumen, and political trustworthiness.
The empirical evidence presented is specific to the 28 interview participants and conclusions could be generalized at
best to the 137 SAF generals and admirals between 1965 and 2014. Despite such limitations this study is undoubtedly the
most detailed examination of Singapore’s military elites to date and this is its original contribution to knowledge.

Declaration relating to disposition of project thesis/dissertation

I hereby grant to the University of New South Wales or its agents the right to archive and to make available my thesis or
dissertation in whole or in part in the University libraries in all forms of media, now or here after known, subject to the
provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. I retain all property rights, such as patent rights. I also retain the right to use in
future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or dissertation.

I also authorise University Microfilms to use the 350 word abstract of my thesis in Dissertation Abstracts International
(this is applicable to doctoral theses only).

4 November 2014

…………………......................................…... ………………………………..........……..……………… ………....……………………...…….…
Signature Witness Date
The University recognises that there may be exceptional circumstances requiring restrictions on copying or conditions
on use. Requests for restriction for a period of up to 2 years must be made in writing. Requests for a longer period of
restriction may be considered in exceptional circumstances and require the approval of the Dean of Graduate Research.

FOR OFFICE USE ONLY Date of completion of requirements for Award:

THIS SHEET IS TO BE GLUED TO THE INSIDE FRONT COVER OF THE THESIS
DISCLAIMER
The opinions and views expressed this thesis are those of the author, interviewees, and
cited sources. They do not reflect the official views and positions of the Government of
Singapore, the Singapore Ministry of Defence, the Singapore Armed Forces, or any
other government-affiliated departments and agencies.

ORIGINALITY STATEMENT
“I hereby declare that this submission is my own work and to the best of my knowledge
it contains no materials previously published or written by another person, or
substantial proportions of material which have been accepted for the award of any
other degree or diploma at UNSW or any other educational institution, except where
due acknowledgement is made in the thesis. Any contribution made to the research by
others, with whom I have worked at UNSW or elsewhere, is explicitly acknowledged in
the thesis. I also declare that the intellectual content of this thesis is the product of my
own work, except to the extent that assistance from others in the project’s design and
conception or in style, presentation and linguistic expression is acknowledged.”

Signed: ___________________________________
3012433 Samuel Ling Wei Chan

4 November 2014
Date: _____________________________________
COPYRIGHT STATEMENT
“I hereby grant the University of New South Wales or its agents the right to archive and
to make available my thesis or dissertation in whole or part in the University libraries
in all forms of media, now or here after known, subject to the provisions of the
Copyright Act 1968. I retain all proprietary rights, such as patent rights. I also retain
the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or
dissertation. I also authorise University Microfilms to use the 350 word abstract of my
thesis in Dissertation Abstract International. I have either used no substantial portions
of copyright material in my thesis or I have obtained permission to use copyright
material; where permission has not been granted I have applied/will apply for a partial
restriction of the digital copy of my thesis or dissertation.”

Signed: ___________________________________
3012433 Samuel Ling Wei Chan

4 November 2014
Date: _____________________________________

AUTHENTICITY STATEMENT
“I certify that the Library deposit digital copy is a direct equivalent of the final officially
approved version of my thesis. No emendation of content has occurred and if there are
any minor variations in formatting, they are the result of the conversion to digital
format.”

Signed: ___________________________________
3012433 Samuel Ling Wei Chan

4 November 2014
Date: _____________________________________
ABSTRACT

This thesis examined why generals and admirals in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)
were motivated to join the military as regulars, why they remained on active service,
and how they ascended to the pinnacle of the office corps. Theories and empirical
studies drawn from psychology, sociology, and the management sciences served as
sensitizing concepts which guided data collection. Twenty-eight retired military elites
drawn from vocations across the tri-service SAF shared their ‘lived experiences’ during
semi-structured interviews. There were primary and secondary motivations to join the
SAF. The former included prestigious scholarships, that the SAF was the best career
option available, military medicine was an atypical path for doctors, cutting-edge
technology and technical competency, and genuine interests in the armed forces. The
latter categories comprised salary, flying, the sea, ‘escaping’ conscription in the army,
and familial roles in the choice of a military career. Although an officer could join the
SAF nothing obliged him to serve until retirement. For the military elites their
commitment to service was bi-dimensional. Transactional commitment was rooted in
egoism and manifested in varying shades of obligations to stay in uniform,
remuneration, and career progression. Yet these generals and admirals all converged
toward an altruistic transformational commitment to their comrades-in-arms, the
profession-of-arms, and the sacred mission apportioned to the SAF. Finally, officer
ascension reflected both processes and structure. Officers received postings and
promotion predicated on their performance and potential (not seniority) which are
closely scrutinized to avoid cronyism. While there are no cookie-cutter pathways, the
ascension structure favoured those who held command and is also subjected to
organizational requirements and political considerations. Wearing a star or more not
only reflected technical competency but was an amalgamation of military
professionalism, critical responsibility, impeccable character, diplomatic acumen, and
political trustworthiness. The empirical evidence presented is specific to the 28
interview participants and conclusions could be generalized at best to the 137 SAF
generals and admirals between 1965 and 2014. Despite such limitations this study is
undoubtedly the most detailed examination of Singapore’s military elites to date and
this is its original contribution to knowledge.

(97,964 words of text excluding annexes and bibliography)

Aristocracy of Armed Talent
TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS i
ABBREVIATIONS iii
LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES x

1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction and Research Questions 1
1.2 The Elite 2
1.2.1 The Military Elite 4
1.2.2 Singapore’s Military Elite 6
1.3 Research Design 9
1.3.1 Philosophy and Approach 10
1.3.2 Method 16
1.3.3 Analysis 22
1.3.4 Ethics 25
1.4 Scope and Structure of Study 26

2 LITERATURE, THEORY, AND SENSITISING CONCEPTS
2.1 Introduction 28
2.2 SAF-specific Literature 28
2.3 Military Sociology 34
2.4 Motivation 40
2.5 Commitment 42
2.6 Ascension 45
2.7 Summary 48

3 THE PROFESSION-OF-ARMS IN SINGAPORE
3.1 Introduction 49
3.2 Defence: The Sacrosanct Pillar 49
3.2.1 National Service: Conscription by any other name 53
3.2.2 Soldiering: Not an honoured profession 57
3.2.3 Commitment to Defence: A Perennial Challenge 60
3.3 Early Leaders 67
3.3.1 A Volunteer and World War II Veteran 68
3.3.2 The ‘Old-Guard’ of the Singapore Infantry Regiment 69
3.3.3 Secondment from the Administrative Service 70
Aristocracy of Armed Talent
3.4 The Vanguard: SAFTI’s First Batch 73
3.5 Summary 78

4 MOTIVATIONS FOR MILITARY SERVICE
4.1 Introduction 79
4.2 The Challenges of Recruitment 79
4.2.1 National Service 80
4.2.2 Ambitions and Advertisements 85
4.2.3 Scholar-Officers: Appealing to Confucian values 90
4.2.4 Pandora’s Box 93
4.3 Primary Motivation 99
4.3.1 Scholarship 100
4.3.2 The Military Solution 108
4.3.3 Not a standard medical career 112
4.3.4 Technology 114
4.3.5 Interest in the Military 117
4.4 Secondary Motivation 119
4.4.1 Salary 119
4.4.2 Flying 121
4.4.3 The Sea 124
4.4.4 ‘Escaping’ the Army life 127
4.4.5 The Family 128
4.5 Summary 132

5 COMMITMENT TO MILITARY SERVICE
5.1 Introduction 133
5.2 The Challenges of Retention 134
5.2.1 Hurdles to Retention 135
5.2.2 Why the Military Elites considered leaving 139
5.3 Transactional Commitment 146
5.3.1 Obligation 146
5.3.2 Remuneration 150
5.3.3 Progression 153
5.4 Transformational Commitment 156
5.4.1 The People 156
5.4.2 Profession and Mission 162
5.4.3 Close calls 169
Aristocracy of Armed Talent
5.5 Summary 175

6 THE ASCENSION PROCESS
6.1 Introduction 176
6.1.1 The star and some perimeters 176
6.2 Dr Goh and the early SAF 181
6.2.1 Project Wrangler 183
6.2.2 Officer Appraisals until 1982 185
6.2.3 The Shell System 187
6.2.4 Officer Appraisal after 1982 188
6.3 Performance and Potential 189
6.4 Promotions and Postings 201
6.5 Intangibles 205
6.5.1 The Scholarship 206
6.5.2 Natural talent 209
6.5.3 Managing your career 210
6.5.4 The ‘godfather’ 212
6.6 Summary 213

7 THE ASCENSION STRUCTURE
7.1 Introduction 215
7.2 From Pre-Commissioning to Command and Staff College 215
7.3 Army 220
7.4 Navy 225
7.5 Air Force 230
7.6 SAF and MINDEF 237
7.6.1 SAF-level billets 238
7.6.2 MINDEF-level billets 243
7.7 Summary 244

8 CONCLUSION 246

ANNEXES
A Singapore Armed Forces (Ranks of Servicemen) 256
B Officers in the ranks of BG/RADM1/ME8 and above (1965-2014) 257
C Participant Information Statement and Consent Form 260
D Biographical Sketch of Principal Investigator 262
Aristocracy of Armed Talent
E SAF: The most modern defence force in Southeast Asia 263
F Former career SAF officers in the Cabinet 265
G Interview Questionnaire 266
H A selection of literature on military elites in the West 268
I One-star and above billets in the MINDEF and SAF 270
J Active Service and Rank Attainment of SAFOS recipients (1971-86) 271
K Distribution of SAFOS flag-officers by service and vocation 273
L Command Appointments of Generals in the Singapore Army 274
M Command Appointments of Admirals in the RSN 279
N Command Appointments of Generals in the RSAF 282
O Key appointments at the SAF HQ 286
P Key appointments at MINDEF 287

BIBLIOGRAPHY 288