COLONEL SERUIRATU HIGHLIGHTS THE CONTINUING EFFORTS TO LIFT THE STANDARD OF RFMF PROFESSIONALISM, SERVING PEOPLE
Colonel Litea Seruiratu was interviewed by Fiji Sun Deputy Managing Editor Selita Bolanavanua who is in Australia on a special media studies visit organised by the Australian High Commission, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Selita Bolanavanua is the Deputy Managing Editor News of the Fiji Sun. She is in Australia on a media studies programme organised by the Australian High Commission, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Continuous Professional Military Education and Training at all levels within the Republic of Fiji Military Forces is important and is continually being raised to another level.
Speaking to the Fiji Sun in Canberra, Australia, Colonel Litea Vulakoro Seruiratu highlighted that one of the ways to improve the leadership and service management in the RFMF is through professional military education and training as well as proper mentoring within the ranks.
Moreover, adhering to military regulations and policies will ensure professionalism and discipline in the Force. “We are there for the people and we are there to serve them and not ourselves, so we need to be professional and carry out our responsibilities with excellence, gaining the public’s confidence and trust and continue to do so,” she said.
Colonel Seruiratu is currently pursuing a Defence and Strategic Studies course at the Center for Defence and Strategic Studies, the highest defence college in Australia.
The course prepares officers to operate successfully at the highest levels of leadership, command, policy formulation and management in a dynamic global environment.
Graduates constitute an international cohort of senior leaders and practitioners who share a common understanding of the most complex aspects of their work, whether as military officers or civilian national security professionals.
Since 1988, Colonel Seruiratu said her relationship and faith in God and the support of her family has sustained and helped shaped her career even with the challenges and difficulties encountered during the course of her duties throughout her career.
Course in Canberra
Colonel Seruiratu began her studies in Melbourne, Australia last year before moving to Canberra last December. The Defence and Strategic Studies Course (DSSC) is a year-long post-graduate level educational programme, with a strong practitioner focus, that provides senior military and civilian officials with the knowledge, awareness and skills to operate at the highest levels of leadership, command, policy formulation and management. The Center for Defence and Strategic Studies delivers senior professional military education for selected Australian Defence Force officers and Defence officials, for Australian government officials from other departments and agencies, and for international military officers and officials.
“The course has been challenging and an eye-opener for me, especially leadership at the strategic level with global strategic dynamics in their evolving geopolitical circumstances, while also developing key skills to engage effectively in a complex and changing global security environment”. I thank the Australian Government for allowing this opportunity for the RFMF, since the last senior RFMF officer attended this course in 2006.”
Former senior RFMF officers who have done the same course include the president Major General (Retired) Jioji Konrote, Brigadier (Retired) Iowane Naivalurua, Brigadier (Retired) Pita Driti and National Security and Intelligence Director, Captain (Navy) Timoci Natuva. She graduates on December 3, 2018 before returning home on December 7. RFMF chief of staff Colonel Jone Kalouniwai will be the next RFMF candidate for the same course next year.
Advice to other women in the Force:
“What you need to be is be good at your job and maintain professional and personal integrity at all times,” Colonel Seruiratu said.
“Being your best self means being a good role model and an inspiration. Someone looks up to you, regardless of your rank, even more so if you are a woman because there are so few. Look after your family well. Work smart, stand for what your organisation is all about, Don’t be silent about things that matter. Respect others. Be a leader. You are not alone.”