23 Jan 2018

Over 340 recruit privates have been urged to make the ultimate sacrifice as they join the army to serve their nation with utmost diligence and honour.

Giving a keynote address at the pass-out parade of the Recruit Privates Basic Military Course Intake 72 of 2017/18, Commander of the Ground Forces  Major General Molefhi Seikano said joining the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) they understood what they were choosing as a career.

“This profession is unique in its nobility because it is about the ultimate sacrifice men and women can make to their nation. Soldiering is not just another job, but it is rather a sacrificial service that can only be done by men and women of honour, who are committed to duty and service. As a soldier you have become part of an institution that its only objective is to serve the country, nothing less nothing more,” he said.

Maj Gen Seikano told the recruit privates that as they served they would meet challenges.

He advised them to address these challenges as individuals through character and discipline which were the cornerstones on which the foundations of the profession were laid.

“Other challenges more often than not, you will be required to address as part of the collective. The military’s strength is derived from its ability to function as a team.

This is why even after such intense training that you have just been through the organisation still endeavour to continoulsy train you with the rest of its membership to ensure that you are regimented and you belong to a combat ready unit,” he said.

Maj. Gen Seikano reminded them that the key mandate of the BDF was defending the territorial integrity as well as safeguard the sovereignity of Botswana.

“I am confident that your training has rendered you operationally ready both in spirit and physique to effortlessly answer this calling of national sacrifice.” Ends