19 Jul 2022

Continuous recruitment reinforces Botswana Defence Force (BDF) capability to achieve its mission of defending the country’s sovereignty and interests.

The Air Arm Commander, Major General Hendrick Rakgantswana, said this at the privates’ basic military training course intake 78 of 2022 pass out parade at Pandamatenga Military College recently.

He said addition of 307 privates into the BDF would reinforce manpower capacity as the military continued to sought alternatives to better serve Batswana

Regarding the training, he said the tough and rigorous 20-week exercise was designed to be hard to prepare the soldiers for the unforgiving conditions of the battlefield.

Major General Rakgantswana said the intake’s drill display demonstrated that they endured the hardships of military training together.

“Going forward, it is important to nourish team work especially in the military where team work plays a significant role and in whatever role you are assigned just remember that the BDF presents a credible deterrent to our nation’s enemies,” he said.

He said the drill movements instilled discipline and respect for each other.

Maj. Gen. Rakgantswana said he was hopeful that whenever the BDF was called to deploy on the defence of the country, the graduates would put all the knowledge and skills they leant so that the nation would be spared from the evil intends of the enemy.

He said graduates were at the porch of the real military life and they should embrace the BDF valuesg.

He said he was aware that they were taught values that they would apply to stand against any challenges posed by the ever changing military environment to defend the country at all costs as well as present a good image of the BDF off and on duty.

“Members of the intake 78 of 2022, now that you have successfully completed your course the legitimate expectation is that you will carry out your military duties with diligence and avoid behaviour that may tarnish the good image of the BDF,” he said.

Maj. Gen. Rakgantswana urged graduates to familiarise themselves with the BDF Act, which contained statutes guiding their daily activities, adding it was also essential for them to acquaint themselves with BDF social media polices to avoid any transgression that might compromise the national security.

He urged graduates to exercise responsible behaviuor and save the country any further losses due to HIV/AIDS.

He said the nation suffered a great loss from HIV/AIDS, hindering efficiency and effectiveness as skilled human resource government invested in was lost. 

He said COVID-19 was still a threat and urged all to keep adhering to national protocols.

At the same occasion, Private Phodiso Radikolana was awarded best overall student and best in military subjects. 

Private Juston Sekgweng was awarded best in Skills at Arms while Private Bruce April was awarded best in drill.

Privates Keabetswe Gabagake and Laone Mfo were awarded best male and female in physical training and endurance respectively. ENDS