RFMF Commander Calls On Fijian Navy Recruits to Show Loyalty
‘Three months ago, you walked into this training school as young men and women unsure of what lay ahead, but today, you march out as proud sailors ready to serve Fiji.’
The greatness in the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) is not measured in a person’s year of service or the rank one attains, but on the sacrifices one is willing to make for the good of the nation.
These were the words of RFMF Commander Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai while speaking at the passing-out parade of the 116 RFMF Naval Division recruits at the Force Training Group in Nakasi on Friday.
Major-General Ro Jone said as members of the RFMF and the Fijian Navy, it was their duty to keep the oath of allegiance which they have affirmed to uphold at all times.
“Three months ago, you walked into this training school as young men and women unsure of what lay ahead, but today, you march out as proud sailors ready to serve Fiji,” he said.
“I would like to congratulate you for having successfully completed the period of training, which has been a challenging and yet very rewarding lifetime experience.
“Today (Friday) is the culmination of that rigid 12 weeks programme of vigorous training in classroom lecturers, on the naval platforms, skills training at sea and on the land as well.
“Without doubt, this training has instilled in you discipline, good behaviour, and obedience which are important to be demonstrated at all times.
“These characteristics will certainly make a huge impact in your career within the RFMF and especially the Fijian Navy as you ensure to carry out your tasks with your utmost ability.”
He said the call comes with a big responsibility where personnel are expected to prepare themselves and be ready for the call of duty at any time.
“The RFMF and the Fijian Navy in particular has intensified its role in the nation over the last few decades. Such an example was a few days ago,” he said.
“Recently RFNS Kikau retrieved a three-year-old patient from the island of Moce in the Lau Group. The patient had developed a serious medical condition requiring immediate referral to Viti Levu.
“After numerous attempts failed
to extract the patient by medevac due to the inclement weather, the Fiji Navy was requested.
“Within a 36-hour timeframe we deployed a naval asset and successfully retrieved the patient within the time frame providing continuous patient monitoring and care in transit back to Suva.
“Such is the importance and dependence on the Navy’s role and responsibilities from our nation and its people for humanitarian purposes to outer islands on the open seas in the worst of weather,” he said.
Many men and women of the
RFMF and Fijian Navy have placed and continuously place their lives on the line in many theatres of conflict in Fiji and the world all over, not waging war, but keeping the peace.
“Now that you are part of this RFMF family, such a calling would see some of you on parade today being called up for such challenging duties and responsibilities in the not-too-distant future,” he said.
“You must now accept that you are now part of an institution renowned all over the world for its sacrifice and gallantry.
“Where its servicemen and women have graced the battlefields of the past great world wars and peacekeeping operations in volatile areas around the world.”
Major-General Ro Jone said being a naval officer was not so much an occupation, but rather a calling to serve the country with dignity, pride and at heart.