MUTARE-At least 80 soldiers were awarded certificates last week after
completing a 14 week course on general squad drill and small arms course at
Herbert Chitepo Barracks, with the graduands challenged to remain dedicated
and disciplined when discharging their duties.

Officiating at the pass out ceremony, Colonel General Staff, Posani Masaka
commended the students’ courage for completing the course saying the training
was aimed at producing competent soldiers who will enable the army to fulfil its
mandate of protecting the nation’s sovereignty.

“The sole purpose for armies’ existence is to deter and or win wars that threaten
their sovereignties. Training is therefore, necessary if the said armies are to
fulfill their mandates. The guarantee for peace stems from the preparedness of
the nation and most importantly, the preparedness of the defence forces to meet
any threat that may be posed by would be aggressors either within or outside
our borders,” he said.

He added that the annual trainings within the army helped breed confidence in
the defence forces while sharpening the skills of its personnel for greater
heights.

“Such training events within our annual training calendar breeds confidence in
our military career as well as equipping us with requisite knowledge and skills
to perform our day to day duties and furthermore enhancing members' chances
for elevation to their next higher ranks,” he added.

The 14-week course was run under the auspices of the Zimbabwe School of
Infantry and its syllabi was centered mainly on small arms, foot drill and arms
drill.

The course was designed to develop in army officers pride, alertness and sense
of instructive obedience which will assist them in carrying out given tasks.
Apart from special skills, the training extends to personal deportment and
hygiene as it enables them to dress properly, march, command and control and
use small arms in both war and peace time.