By Jermyn Chow

MORE than 3,000 active and national servicemen pledged to guard Singapore's independence with their lives on Wednesday.

The military's top brass, including Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Desmond Kuek and the chiefs of the army, air force and navy, led the soldiers to recite the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) pledge to reaffirm their loyalty and commitment to the nation's defence at the Safti Military Institute.

Those present included President SR Nathan, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean and Second Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen, who is also the Education Minister.

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