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SAFTI Military Institute

SAFWOS Leadership School

SAFWOS Leadership School welcomes leaders who are at various stages of their military service.

Last updated 2 December 2025
safwos leadership school emblem

SAFWOS Leadership School welcomes leaders who are at various stages of their military service. The school provides a stimulating and challenging learning environment and seeks to promote holistic learning. It employs adult and organisational learning approaches to help leaders develop cognitive abilities while also deepening and professionalising their military knowledge. Character building and leadership development are also infused into the curricula so as to instil a deep sense of values, identity and purpose in leaders as SAF Warrant Officers and Military Experts.

Statue of a soldier at Specialist and Warrant Officer Institute

History Of SAFWOS Leadership School

The SAF Warrant Officer School (SAFWOS) was established on 15 Jan 1992 at the former Officer Cadet School building in Pasir Laba Camp. At that point in time, SAFWOS was conducting the Army Warrant Officer Course (AWOC) and Joint Warrant Officer Course (JWOC) for the three Services to prepare potential Warrant Officers to assume heavier responsibilities.

In Jul 1998, SAFWOS shifted to its own premises in Pasir Laba Camp. With the introduction of the WOSpec Military Education and Training Roadmap in Apr 2000, the curriculum of SAFWOS was expanded to include additional courses, such as the Army Battalion Regimental Sergeant-Major Course, the Advanced Leadership Programme and the Senior Leadership Programme to develop the leaders at critical milestones throughout their career.

In 2004, SAFWOS was grouped with the School of Infantry Specialists (SISPEC) and the School of Infantry Weapons (SIW) to form the Specialist and Warrant Officer Institute (SWI).

In 2010, with the restructuring of SWI into five leadership schools for the SAF Warrant Officers and Specialists, SAFWOS was positioned as the most senior school in the institute, providing professional military education and training to Warrant Officers. In 2016, a Warrant Officer was appointed to assume command of SAFWOS as its Commanding Officer. In 2018, SAFWOS was renamed to SAFWOS Leadership School as part of the effort to embrace the participation of Military Experts in SAFWOS’s joint courses.

Currently, SAFWOS Leadership School conducts the Regimental Sergeant-Major (RSM) Course and the various Joint Courses for Warrant Officers and Military Experts across the SAF Services, to develop their military leadership and deepen their professional military knowledge.

Two SAF officers in white uniforms holding a ceremonial torch on stage at a leadership event.

Commanding Officer SAFWOS Leadership School

CWO Saravanan S/O Shatiannathan profile photo

CWO Saravanan S/O Shatiannathan assumed command of SAFWOS Leadership School on 01 Mar 2022. He was enlisted into the Singapore Armed Forces in 1991 and is a Guardsman by vocation. He has served in 3rd Battalion Singapore Guards, Specialist Cadet School, Specialist and Warrant Officer Advanced School, SAFWOS Leadership School and Headquarters Guards. He is a graduate of the Joint Senior Leadership Course and Goh Keng Swee Command and Staff College (Executive).

Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) Course

The 5-week Regimental Sergeant Major Course is attended by WOSpecs and Military Experts who will subsequently assume the appointment of Regimental Sergeant Majors of their respective units.

Joint Leadership Course (JLC)

The 15-week Joint Leadership Course is attended by Warrant Officers and Military Experts to develop their leadership capabilities, to be competent, direct-level leaders, staff and trainers in their respective field of specialisation.

Joint Advanced Leadership Course (JALC)

The 2.5-week Joint Advanced Leadership Course is attended by Warrant Officers and Military Experts to deepen their leadership competencies to assume senior appointments in the SAF. This course also includes an open phase which is attended by leaders from other ministries and partner countries.

Joint Senior Leadership Course (JSLC)

The 5-week Joint Senior Leadership Course is attended by Warrant Officers and Military Experts, to sharpen their leadership and administrative competencies to assume pinnacle appointments in the SAF.