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SINGAPORE: Brigadier-General (BG) David Neo will be Singapore’s new Chief of Army from Mar 10, announced the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) on Friday (Feb 11).
He takes over from Major-General (MG) Goh Si Hou, who has served in the position for about four years.
“This change is part of the process of leadership renewal in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF),” said MINDEF.
BG Neo, currently deputy secretary (technology), joined the SAF in 1996 and is a commando officer by training.
The 44-year-old has served in various command appointments in the SAF, including as Commanding Officer First Battalion Singapore Guards, Commander 2nd Singapore Infantry Brigade and Commander 3rd Singapore Division.
He has also held key staff appointments, including as Head Joint Plans and Transformation Department and Director of Joint Operations, where he oversaw the SAF’s contributions to the national fight against COVID-19.
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Outgoing Chief of Army MG Goh has held the position since Mar 21, 2018.
During this time, he led the army through the completion of key operational milestones for the 3rd Generation Army, as well as laid the foundations for its next-generation transformation to meet emerging security needs and future manpower resource challenges, said MINDEF.
He also led the reorganisation of the army’s Island Defence Task Force and Special Operations Task Force to strengthen homeland security and counter-terrorism capabilities, and established key building blocks of its future fighting force, added MINDEF.
“During his tenure, MG Goh ensured that the Army maintained operational readiness and force generation amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and led the Army to support the whole-of-nation fight against COVID-19.”