Cai Dexian
Cai Dexian | |
|---|---|
蔡德贤 | |
| Chief of Army | |
| Assumed office 21 March 2025 | |
| Preceded by | David Neo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1984 (age 40–41)[1] |
| Alma mater | Stanford University (BA)[2] INSEAD (MBA) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Singapore |
| Branch/service | Singapore Army |
| Years of service | 2003–present |
| Rank | Major-General |
| Commands | Chief of Army (2025–present) Commander, 3rd Division (2022-2025) |
Cai Dexian[a] (born 1984) is a Singaporean Major General who has been serving as Chief of Army since 2025.[3][2][1]
Education
Cai was awarded the Singapore Armed Forces Overseas Scholarship to study at Stanford University, where he graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and International Relations.[2] Cai was also awarded the Lee Kuan Yew scholarship in 2018 to study at INSEAD[2], where he graduated in 2019 with a Master of Business Administration with distinction.
He also attended the Indonesian Army Command and Staff College (SESKOAD) in 2014 and attained the Top International Student.
Military career
Cai enlisted into the SAF in 2003 and is an armour officer by vocation.[2] He was Commanding Officer of the 48th Battalion Singapore Armoured Regiment and subsequently Commanding Officer of the 8th Singapore Armoured Brigade.[1] He was also a board member of ST Engineering Ltd and D’Crypt Pte Ltd.[2]
Cai was deployed to Afghanistan in 2012 as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. He is the first Singaporean to be awarded with the Bronze Star Medal.[4][2]
Prior to his appointment as Chief of Army, Cai held the appointment of Commander, 3rd Singapore Division.[2]
Cai was promoted from the rank of Major-General on 1 July 2025.[5]
Awards and decorations
- Pingat Pentadbiran Awam, Gangsa (Tentera) (Public Administration Medal, Bronze (Military)) - PPA(G)
- Singapore Armed Forces Long Service and Good Conduct (20 Years) Medal
- Singapore Armed Forces Long Service and Good Conduct (10 Years) Medal with 15 year clasp
- Singapore Armed Forces Good Service Medal
- Singapore Armed Forces Overseas Service Medal
- NATO Medal for Service with ISAF
- Bronze Star Medal
Notes
References
- ^ a b c "Brigadier-General Cai Dexian to take over from Major-General David Neo as army chief". The Straits Times. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Chief of Army, Singapore Army". MINDEF. Archived from the original on 7 July 2025. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ^ "Change in Chief of Army". MINDEF. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ^ "1st S'porean to get US Bronze Star Medal now new SAF Chief of Army". Mothership. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ^ "1,282 MINDEF/SAF Personnel to be Promoted". Ministry of Defence. 27 June 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2025.