Aaron Beng
Aaron Beng | |
|---|---|
| File:Vice Admiral Aaron Beng, Chief of Defence Force of the Singapore Armed Forces, visit to the United States on October 8, 2024 (cropped).jpg Vice Admiral Aaron Beng in 2024 | |
| Born | 1981 (age 44–45) |
| Allegiance | File:Flag of Singapore.svg Singapore |
| Branch | File:Naval Ensign of Singapore.svg Republic of Singapore Navy |
| Service years | 2000–present |
| Rank | File:10-RSN-OF08.svg Vice-Admiral |
| Commands | Chief of Defence Force Chief of Navy Chief of Staff – Naval Staff Head, RSN Strategy Office Director of the Defence Policy Office, Ministry of Defence Fleet Commander Squadron Commander, Formidable-class frigate Squadron Commanding Officer, RSS Intrepid |
| Alma mater | Yale University (BS) Naval War College |
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Aaron Beng Yao Cheng PPA(E) PPA(G) (Chinese: 孟耀诚; born 1981) is a Singaporean vice-admiral and Chief of Defence Force. Prior to his appointment as Chief of Defence Force, he served as Chief of Navy between 2020 and 2023. He is the first naval officer to serve as Chief of Defence Force, and the first to hold the rank of Vice-Admiral in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).
Early life and education
[edit | edit source]Beng was born in Singapore in 1981. His father, Arthur Beng Kian Lam, was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Fengshan SMC between 1984 and 1988 for the ruling People's Action Party.
Upon his graduation from Hwa Chong Institution in 1999, Beng was awarded the President’s Scholarship and the Singapore Armed Forces Overseas Scholarship[1] to study at Yale University, where he majored in economics and electrical engineering sciences, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree.[1]
Military career
[edit | edit source]Beng enlisted into the SAF in 2000.[1] He was Commanding Officer of the frigate RSS Intrepid and subsequently Commanding Officer of the Frigate Squadron.[1] He was also Director of the Defence Policy Office.[1]
Beng was appointed Fleet Commander in March 2019, before his appointment as Chief of Staff – Naval Staff in November 2019.[2] He was appointed Chief of Navy on 23 March 2020, where he served until 10 March 2023.[3][1]
Beng was appointed Chief of Defence Force on 24 March 2023. He is the first Chief of Navy to serve as Chief of Defence Force.[4][5][6] He was promoted as Vice-Admiral, the first person to hold this rank, on 1 July 2023.[7][8]
Personal life
[edit | edit source]Beng is married to Sharon Koh.[9][10]
Awards and decorations
[edit | edit source]- File:Pingat Pentadbiran Awam (Gangsa) (Tentera).png Public Administration Medal (Military) (Bronze) in 2017
- File:Pingat Pentadbiran Awam (Emas) (Tentera).png Public Administration Medal (Military) (Gold) in 2023
- File:Singapore Armed Forces Long Service and Good Conduct (10 Years) Medal ribbon with clasp.png Singapore Armed Forces Long Service and Good Conduct (10 Years) Medal with 15 year clasp
- File:Singapore Armed Forces Long Service and Good Conduct (20 Years) Medal ribbon.png Singapore Armed Forces Long Service and Good Conduct (20 Years) Medal
- File:Singapore Armed Forces Good Service Medal ribbon.png Singapore Armed Forces Good Service Medal
- File:Singapore Armed Forces Overseas Service Medal ribbon (from 1999).png Singapore Armed Forces Overseas Service Medal
- File:Ordre national du Merite Officier ribbon.svg Ordre national du Mérite (Officier) in 2022
- File:US Legion of Merit Commander ribbon.png Legion of Merit (Degree of Commander) in 2023
- File:Pita (Ribbon) Bintang Jalasena Utama.png Bintang Jalasena Utama (Navy Meritorious Service Star, 1st Class) in 2023[11]
- File:Panglima Gagah Angkatan Tentera.png Courageous Commander of The Most Gallant Order of Military Service (P.G.A.T.) in 2023[12]
- File:First Class of the Order of Paduka Keberanian Laila Terbilang (DPKT).svg The Most Exalted Order of Paduka Keberanian Laila Terbilang, 1st Class (D.P.K.T.)[13]
- Royal Brunei Navy Command Badge[14]
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References
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- Living people
- Chiefs of the Republic of Singapore Navy
- Yale University alumni
- 1982 births
- 21st-century Singaporean people
- Recipients of the Long Service Medal (Military) (Singapore)
- Recipients of the Pingat Pentadbiran Awam (Tentera)
- Recipients of the Ordre national du Mérite
- Recipients of the Legion of Merit
- Singaporean people of Chinese descent