Okahandja
New military graduates are urged to keep studying and acquiring new knowledge about technologies related to their military career.
Defence Minister Penda ya Ndakolo says nowadays military science and practice are constantly evolving, which requires that soldiers constantly upgrade their technical and scientific knowledge.
“Today people are more frequently fighting with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Tomorrow military combat may be carried out with robots. Who knows?” he noted, adding that when graduates are not deployed in combat they must use their time to study and train.
Ya Ndakolo said military life also presents opportunities for further study in various areas of specialisation, either at home in Namibia or abroad.
“Mind you, that you can only be sent to study abroad if you have a good basic education. Some NDF services, such as the navy and air force, require people with mathematics and physical science subjects.
“Therefore, if you have a chance to improve your school symbols, do it in order to take up the opportunities that come your way,” he emphasised.
The defence minister added that opportunities can only be afforded to those who work hard and remain disciplined.
A total of 957 recruits successfully completed military training at Osona Base in Okahandja yesterday.
Eleven out of 968 entrants were disqualified due to voluntary resignation, health status, pregnancy, criminal records and/or forgery.
Speaking at the parade during the 14th recruit intake, head of the military school Brigadier-General Wilbard Shikongo said the training took place at Osona Military Base for the duration of six-months without any break.
Of the remaining 957 recruits, 789 males and 168 women completed the training. He said the training is designed to transform young men and women from civilian to military life in order for them to be able to defend the territorial integrity of Namibia.
The training was conducted in two training phases. Phase 1 involved basic military training. Phase 2 involved training in conventional warfare and the use of platoon weapons.
Shikongo told the new graduates they are joining a unique group of Namibians, who – instead of a normal job – have elected to serve as defenders of the country, its people and its resources.
“I urge you all to remember that [military] training cannot end after basic training. It is widely accepted that skills degrade over time if they are not reinforced and refreshed,” he said.