Yesterday, the retired lieutenant-colonel, who now holds a civilian post in the Defence Ministry, looked on as his youngest son, David, received his ceremonial sword from Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean at the Temasek Club.

David, 19, said he was inspired by his father's character to join the army.

'He is always very calm and logical. When I joined the army, I realised this was how things work and I think these are good traits to have,' he said.

The former Raffles Junior College student was one of six officer cadets awarded the prestigious Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Overseas Scholarship this year.

Of the six, four are from the army and two from the navy. All of them will be studying in the United States or Britain.

The scholarship is the most prestigious one after the President's Scholarship and has one of the most stringent selection criteria.

Past SAF overseas scholarship winners include Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Defence Minister Teo and Foreign Minister George Yeo.