A Matter of Duty: A Memoir of My Time in the Singapore Armed Forces (1967–1982)

—Brian Farrell, Professor of Military History at the History Department, National University of Singapore, and author of The Defence and Fall of Singapore

“Many books have been written about Goh Keng Swee, but none were about his work in the Ministry of Defence, where he raised the SAF almost from scratch, starting with only two infantry battalions in 1967. This book breaks the trend as it provides a captivating account of Dr Goh’s monumental work in the SAF’s early military history as seen through the eyes of Tan Chin Tiong, the prototype soldier-scholar who answered the call of duty to assist him in the endeavour. Mr Tan highlights in readable prose how numerous Singapore and SAF institutions, policies, and practices familiar to our citizens and national servicemen bear the personal and farsighted imprint of Dr Goh. This book is recommended reading for all those who serve in the SAF.”

—Kumar Ramakrishna, Professor and Dean of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University. Author of Extremist Islam: Recognition and Response in Southeast Asia

“The author writes with clarity as well as with authority and candour. Drawing on his extensive personal involvement, he provides fresh insights into many aspects of the development of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) between the late 1960s and the early ‘80s under the ministerial leadership of Dr Goh Keng Swee. Among the many facets that he discusses are the development of the SAF command structure; the crucial influence of Israeli as well as German military advisors on the young SAF’s organisation, doctrine and training; the origins of SAF Armour; the early phases of the SAF’s overseas training arrangements with other countries; and the establishment of the Singapore Civil Defence Force. This book should contribute significantly to understanding how the SAF developed and came to play such a successful role in assuring Singapore’s security. It will be of interest not just within the local, regional and international expert communities concerned with Singapore’s defence, security and civil-military relations, but also to those who have served in the SAF.”

—Tim Huxley, author of Defending the Lion City: The Armed Forces of Singapore

“This compelling autobiographical account offers an insider’s view on the formative years of the Singapore Armed Forces. Through the eyes of someone who stood at the frontlines of institution-building, the book captures the vision, resolve, and ingenuity that led to the making of a modern military in a new nation-state. Clearly written, with vivid storytelling and useful historical context, the author reveals the journey that shaped a young nation’s endeavours in building up a citizen-led defence force almost from scratch. The book’s key themes highlight the close civil-military relationship that is quite unique to the Singapore experience. The author, who transitioned from the Administrative Service to play a significant role as a senior military officer from 1967 to 1982, details the outsized and pivotal part played by Singapore’s first Defence Minister, Dr Goh Keng Swee, a civilian political leader with no professional military background, in the establishment of the armed forces. I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in military history, leadership studies, and the contemporary history of Singapore.”

— Tan Tai Yong, President, Singapore University of Social Sciences. Author of Creating “Greater Malaysia”: Decolonization and the Politics of Merger