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HANDING OVER OF COMMAND - FORCE TRAINING GROUP
By Tevita Koto
More than One hundred soldiers took part in the handing over of Command ceremony at the Force Training Group, Nasinu on 13 July,2010.
Reviewing the parade was the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Land Force Commander Brigadier Pita Driti.
The outgoing commander was Colonel Jackson Evans who was also holding the post of Director Force Development and incoming commander was Colonel Isireli Dakunimata who had just returned as the Contingent Commander of the the 1st Battalion Fiji Infantry Regiment in Iraq.
It was a solemn occasion which started off with a dedication church service before a military handover at the parade square. Brigadier Driti said it was an honor for him to be part of the occasion as the event will be written in the history book of the RFMF. He made a point that the Commanding Officer was the representative of the Commander himself and that Commanding Officers holds a very vital position. Commander Land Force also thanked the Force Training Group Parade Commander for the professionalism and enthusiasm of his soldiers in particular the drills displayed. “The Force Training Group is a vital element of the RFMF as this is the manufacturing platform where soldiers are produced and molded and as such the outcome of the parade this morning is always expected of this unit,” he said.
He added that the Unit’s standard will be the product of the RFMF where ever they serve in whether it’s locally or on overseas peacekeeping theatres.
Brigadier Driti also thanked the outgoing Commander for the contribution he provide when he took over the position late last year. “I must congratulate Col Evans for the great work he has done and for taking up the challenge when he came in at a time when the School needed a clear guidance to direct itself from the situation it was embroil in. He has also mentioned that there is still room for improvements and I think the incoming Commander will be challenged to the task at hand but as he is an experience officer I have no doubt that he will be able to take it up.
He cautioned the soldiers to remain loyal and that their loyally should be consistent to the incoming CO.
VICTORIAN LAUNCH NO 1 DRESS AT PASSOUT CEREMONY
By Josefa Bola
Albert Park grounds and pavilion in Suva were filled to capacity as members of the public thronged to witness the colourful pass-out parade by students of Queen Victoria School. His Excellency President of Fiji the Republic of Fiji, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau was Chief Guest and Reviewing Officer on the morning of Friday 9th July, 2010. Also in attendance were dignitaries and invited guests many of whom were old scholars now in prominent positions in Fiji along with parents, teachers, friends and curious onlookers.
The school is the first to introduce a number-one dress for its cadets during the pass-out parade and was probably why there was a large crowd on the day as twelve detachments looked smart in their new outfits which was specially prepared overseas and arrived in Fiji just in time for the occasion. Also the school is the only school with official colours first commissioned in 1924.
The parade began with the arrival of HE the President who after being escorted to the dais was briefed by the Parade Commander and Head Boy of the school, Iowane Ponipate Tiko of Tovata House who wore an honourary rank of Major on the day. He then invited His Excellency to inspect the parade who kindly obliged and ended up going through every rank and file often stopping to speak to a youngster during the process.
Tears welled in eyes of parents and cheers of approval from crowd were heard for the fine display of precision by the cadets. They marched past in slow and quick time paying their respect to the Reviewing Officer, HE the President who took the salute showing his appreciation.
In his speech, the President was quite impressed with the turn-out and the impressive level of drill shown and he not only thanked the cadets but also the teachers and parents. He reminisced his days as an old scholar of the school and had slightly adjusted the format of the parade for the students benefit. “I have slightly adjusted the format and program of the parade to suite you today so as not to let you stand out here for too long in the sun,” His Excellency said. He also joked that it was also for his sake.
President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau also had the honour of giving out the following prizes: ‘Best Company in Barrack Cleanliness’ – Rewa House, ‘Best Company in Drill’ – Bau House, ‘Best Overall Company’ – Tovata House and the ‘Baton of Honour’ was awarded to House Captain, Tovata House, Waisale Tavai.
The following key appointments were also held: Parade 2IC and Parade Adjutant – Wame Waqanaceva and Regimental Sergeant Major – Sosoceni Toko Qio.
The parade of four companies with one rifle detachment of form seven students was then given the honour of marching through the City of Suva. People lined the streets and peered from tall buildings along Victoria Parade to get a glimpse of the blue tunic won by the cadets as the march was led by the RFMF Brass Band which culminated at the Suva Foreshore where they were met and congratulated by parents, teachers and friends.
A MEMORABLE FIELD EXERCISE FOR CPL RONIKA
By Peni Waqaimoala
“It was a memorable field exercise for me and I will never forget the syndicate members as they were so disciplined, professional and are highly motivated,"
These were the words echoed by Corporal Devi Ronika, a police service woman who had a brief experience of army life during the two-day JNCO (Junior Non-Commissioned Officer) promotional course leadership field exercise held at the Nasinu, Sawani and Tamavua training area.
The course consisted of 58 personnel that included 44 candidates from the RFMF and 14 from the FPF. Cpl Ronika was fortunate to be amongst those that were successfully selected from the Fiji Police Force to participate in the leadership course.
Divided into six syndicates with an instructor, Cpl Ronika was included in syndicate three with ten. They had to from station to station often along rugged terrain where they had to do written tests on general knowledge and scenario activities.
Being the only female police officer in the team dressed in military uniform she said, “It was the first time for me to attend such course with male officers from other services who guided me and motivated me during the exercise.”
Despite the heavy downpour she was positive in completing the exercise as she was well supported by other team members overcoming the walk up and down muddy terrains.
“It was an expected thing in my life that I did when I was holding the rope and managed to go down the slope and crossed the river in Tamavua with the help of my syndicate members,” Cpl Ronika said.
She added that the exercise was successful only through the inspiration of the syndicate members.
During the training each participant was given a chance of being a leader to apply their newly learned skills of motivating and guiding a team professionally from one station to another and this they performed satisfactorily.
“We should motivate our subordinates in order to achieve success and achieve our mission in every task we perform,” Cpl Ronika concluded.
NABUNIYANITU GETS NEW SCHOOL BLOCK
By Peni Waqaimoala
Seventeen sappers from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Engineers had been constructing a 1x4 school block at Nubuyanitu Village located in the interiors of Navosa.
The area is hardly accessible by road and villagers get around only by horseback. Children from nearby areas would walk miles to school and only go back to their homes during weekends since it would be too much for them to be traversing the long distance from home to school on a daily basis.
The 24-member construction crew under the supervision of Sergeant Vitatau have been in the area working on the project for the past two weeks and at the same time get to see the stunning view of the country side that people don't get to experience.
They have managed to lay the flooring foundation for the school block and with help from locals the work is progressing extremely well.