News / National
Mugabe commissions 24 officer cadets, 7 pilots
05 Aug 2011 at 22:40hrs | Views
President Robert Mugabe on Friday commissioned 24 officer cadets and presented wings to seven pilots at a wings and commissioning pass out parade at Thornhill Airbase in Gweru.
Among the graduates were four women, two pilots and two officer cadets, State controlled The Herald reported.
The graduates were drawn from Pilot Training Course Number 65 and Regular Officer Cadet Course Number 1/2010.
Addressing guests, President Mugabe, who is the Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, said the pass out parade was a milestone achievement
the history of the Air Force of Zimbabwe in that it brought together officers from two different courses.
"Today we experience a rare double joy as we witness two officer courses graduating at the same time, the Wings Parade for Pilot Training Course Number 65 and the Commissioning Parade for
Regular Officer Cadet Course Number 1 of 2010. Both were successfully administered by the Air Force of Zimbabwe at Thornhill Airbase," he said.
The Pilot Training Course Number 65 began with 12 students who were attested into the Air Force of Zimbabwe on 5 November 2007. The Regular Officer Cadet Course Number 1 of 2010 commenced with 29 students on March 10 last year.
Five students dropped from the pilot training programme, while three withdrew from the officer cadet leaving seven pilots and 24 officer cadets who graduated yesterday.
President Mugabe said the cadets in both courses went through the basic military phase at different stages.
"The training phase focused on imparting the requisite military knowledge to cadets that is necessary for day-to-day operations.
"Cadets' curriculum comprised service writing, weapon handling, map reading and survival skills.
"Additionally, the in-depth studies of administration, management and leadership, done during the same phase, were meant to mould and develop student cadets into knowledgeable and complete military cadres, capable of steering the Air Force of Zimbabwe to greater heights," he said.
The President said after completing the military phase, the pilot course students embarked on the Flying Ground School Academic phase before proceeding to the Airborne Flying Training Phase.
"The long period it takes to complete military pilot training is physically, psychologically and intellectually demanding," he said.
Students in the Regular Officer Cadet Course also undertook their own vigorous training programme after completing the military phase.
They covered general service knowledge, military law, conventional warfare, low intensity operations, medical lessons, and civil military relations among other subjects.
President Mugabe urged the new graduates to exercise high level of discipline they exhibited during training in their social lives so as to guard against the dangers posed by the HIV/Aids scourge.
He said individual officers would always be expected to be impeccably disciplined, a hallmark of the ZDF.
"I wish to underscore the importance of discipline, the most important pillar for survival in the military.
"In fact, discipline is the cornerstone of all successful armies as it entails the ability of military officers to take orders from their commanders and execute them accordingly.
"While this graduation marks the end of a highly restricted life required by the courses pursued, graduates would now be exposed to the dangers and temptations of everyday life, especially HIV/Aids.
"This pandemic, which indeed is a menacing reality to date remains incurable and has claimed millions of lives, most of them our dear relatives and friends.
"I urge all graduates to be always wary of this menacing scourge. Your families and the nation need you," said the President.
President Mugabe presented the Sword of Honour to Officer Cadet Brighton Madzimire who emerged the Best Flying Student.
Officer Cadet Madzimire also received the Air Force Commander's trophy forexcelling in his studies. Officer Cadet Tafadzwa Siveregi received the Best Commander's Trophy after he was named best student in the Regular Officers' Cadet Course.
The colourful event was graced by senior army and air force officers from Mozambique, Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, Minister of State for National Security in the President's Office, Sydney Sekeramayi, service chiefs, Midlands Governor Jason Machaya and his predecessor, Cde Cephas Msipa, legislators and seniorGovernment officials among other invited guests and dignitaries.
Among the graduates were four women, two pilots and two officer cadets, State controlled The Herald reported.
The graduates were drawn from Pilot Training Course Number 65 and Regular Officer Cadet Course Number 1/2010.
Addressing guests, President Mugabe, who is the Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, said the pass out parade was a milestone achievement
the history of the Air Force of Zimbabwe in that it brought together officers from two different courses.
"Today we experience a rare double joy as we witness two officer courses graduating at the same time, the Wings Parade for Pilot Training Course Number 65 and the Commissioning Parade for
Regular Officer Cadet Course Number 1 of 2010. Both were successfully administered by the Air Force of Zimbabwe at Thornhill Airbase," he said.
The Pilot Training Course Number 65 began with 12 students who were attested into the Air Force of Zimbabwe on 5 November 2007. The Regular Officer Cadet Course Number 1 of 2010 commenced with 29 students on March 10 last year.
Five students dropped from the pilot training programme, while three withdrew from the officer cadet leaving seven pilots and 24 officer cadets who graduated yesterday.
President Mugabe said the cadets in both courses went through the basic military phase at different stages.
"The training phase focused on imparting the requisite military knowledge to cadets that is necessary for day-to-day operations.
"Cadets' curriculum comprised service writing, weapon handling, map reading and survival skills.
The President said after completing the military phase, the pilot course students embarked on the Flying Ground School Academic phase before proceeding to the Airborne Flying Training Phase.
"The long period it takes to complete military pilot training is physically, psychologically and intellectually demanding," he said.
Students in the Regular Officer Cadet Course also undertook their own vigorous training programme after completing the military phase.
They covered general service knowledge, military law, conventional warfare, low intensity operations, medical lessons, and civil military relations among other subjects.
President Mugabe urged the new graduates to exercise high level of discipline they exhibited during training in their social lives so as to guard against the dangers posed by the HIV/Aids scourge.
He said individual officers would always be expected to be impeccably disciplined, a hallmark of the ZDF.
"I wish to underscore the importance of discipline, the most important pillar for survival in the military.
"In fact, discipline is the cornerstone of all successful armies as it entails the ability of military officers to take orders from their commanders and execute them accordingly.
"While this graduation marks the end of a highly restricted life required by the courses pursued, graduates would now be exposed to the dangers and temptations of everyday life, especially HIV/Aids.
"This pandemic, which indeed is a menacing reality to date remains incurable and has claimed millions of lives, most of them our dear relatives and friends.
"I urge all graduates to be always wary of this menacing scourge. Your families and the nation need you," said the President.
President Mugabe presented the Sword of Honour to Officer Cadet Brighton Madzimire who emerged the Best Flying Student.
Officer Cadet Madzimire also received the Air Force Commander's trophy forexcelling in his studies. Officer Cadet Tafadzwa Siveregi received the Best Commander's Trophy after he was named best student in the Regular Officers' Cadet Course.
The colourful event was graced by senior army and air force officers from Mozambique, Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, Minister of State for National Security in the President's Office, Sydney Sekeramayi, service chiefs, Midlands Governor Jason Machaya and his predecessor, Cde Cephas Msipa, legislators and seniorGovernment officials among other invited guests and dignitaries.
Source - TH
