Cai Dexian

Cai Dexian
Chief of Army
Assumed office
21 March 2025
Preceded byDavid Neo
Personal details
Born1984 or 1985 (age 40–41)[1]
Singapore
Alma materStanford University (BA)[2]
Military service
Allegiance Singapore
Branch/service Singapore Army
Years of service2003–present
RankMajor-General
CommandsChief of Army (2025–present)

Cai Dexian is a Singaporean major general who has been serving as Chief of Army since 2025.[3][2][1]

Education

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Cai was awarded the Singapore Armed Forces Overseas Scholarship to study at Stanford University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and International Relations.[2] Cai was also awarded the Lee Kuan Yew scholarship to study at INSEAD.[2]

He also attended the Indonesian Army Command and Staff College (SESKOAD) in 2014 and attained the Top International Student.[citation needed]

Military career

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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 brigadier-general to major-general on 1 July 2025.[5]

Awards and decorations

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References

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "Change in Chief of Army". MINDEF. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  4. ^ "1st S'porean to get US Bronze Star Medal now new SAF Chief of Army". Mothership. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  5. ^ "1,282 MINDEF/SAF Personnel to be Promoted". Ministry of Defence. 27 June 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
Military offices
Preceded by Chief of Army
2025–present
Incumbent