15 Dec 2022

Newly commissioned Botswana Defence Force (BDF) officer cadets have been advised to acquaint themselves with the tactics, techniques and procedures as well as processes of leading others in tactical situations.
The advice was given by Acting President Slumber Tsogwane at the officer cadets’ pass out ceremony held at Sir Seretse Khama Barracks yesterday.
That was because as officers they might be deployed either within Botswana or anywhere else to protect innocent civilians’ civil liberties, he said.
“Today you graduate from this college to take your place at a time when the SADC region is fighting a war against terrorism in the Republic of Mozambique,” said the acting president.
Mr Tsogwane told the new officers that their training had prepared them for the hardships of leading other men and women in the uncomfortable and unforgiving situations in the battlefield.
He said their graduation reinforced BDF ranks as well as enhanced the army’s combat readiness needed to prove its credibility and resolve in defending the nation from its enemies.
“You represent our dream of a continued free and democratic society where everyone has done so much to safeguard peace and security in our country and beyond our borders,” the acting president said.
Commending the young men and women for joining the BDF, Mr Tsogwane said it showed a sense of courage and sacrifice to defend their country and urged them to be exemplary as every soldier under their supervision would look up to them for guidance and counselling.
“It is your responsibility to know them too, to learn their hopes and dreams as service men and women and to teach them the difference between a genuine mistake and lack of discipline,” he said.
Mr Tsogwane said joining the BDF came with responsibilities as Batswana expected nothing less than professionalism and commitment to duty.
On other issues, he reminded the officer cadets that they were graduating at a time when Botswana was faced with many social ills such as alcohol and substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, gender based violence and road accidents.
Their duty, he told them, was not only to protect themselves but also to educate and ensure their colleagues understood the consequences of engaging in risky behaviour which would ultimately negatively affect their units’ ability to perform optimally thus compromising the BDF mandate.
“We look up to you to be the custodians of goodwill in your service to the military and role models to the youth of our nation,” he said.
     He further appealed to them to use available resources prudently in order for government to realise its vision of a professional, prompt and decisive military.ENDS