Papua New Guinea Defence Force

New soldiers told to master skills

More than 75 new recruits who passed out from Goldie Training Depot have been challenged by PNGDF Chief of Force Preparations, Colonel Sialle Diro, to take their training aggressively as this is their lifetime skill.

Colonel Diro made this statement last Monday at the 1st Royal Pacific Island Regiment in Port Moresby.

The new soldiers will go into 12 weeks of their Initial Employment Training (IET). They now complete the Bravo Company of the 1st Royal Pacific Islands Regiment.

Student death probe: Soldiers stay quiet, stalling progress

Toropo says that while the legal process is now in full swing with the soldiers who have been handed over, no other names or identities have been forthcoming.

He says that while witnesses allege that there were a big number of soldiers who fought, until such time as actual evidence is given in with positive identification, the army will not make any more arrests or detainment.

Commander Toropo says that while the death of 17 year old Jeremiah Yinu is unfortunate,  his investigators are trying to get concrete identification of the other soldiers involved in the case.

PNG DF challenged to provide assistance during disaster events

He says the growing capacity of our Defence force is going to be even more important in the years ahead as challenges around the world increase.

“Our Disciplined Forces are also increasingly required to work as part of a whole-of-government effort,” he says.

O’Neill says that meeting some of the challenges in the years ahead including disasters will occur more than ever before due to climate change.

“We can expect more floods, more cyclones and more droughts to affect our country into the future.

We are fixing neglect of the past – O’Neill

He says they are now fixing the neglect of the past.

O’Neill said this at the Papua New Guinea Defence Academy, 2nd Defence Force Commissioning Course (DFCC) Graduation Parade

“At barracks around the country we are rebuilding housing, we are rebuilding offices and we are restoring working conditions and restoring pride,” he says.

O’Neill says it is not a quick job to fix and it is going to take time.

Army cadets graduate at Igam: 27 men and one woman

Officer Cadet 813604  Katega Georgina from New Ireland Province was the only female alongside  the 27 male cadets who completed a tough two years of officer cadet training.

A slight shower in the morning and the cool breezes from Busu River brushed away the clouds to make it a fitting day for the passouts.

The parade was reviewed by Prime Minister Peter O'Neill and hosted by Commander Gilbert Toropo,  attended by Defence Minister Dr Fabian Fok, CIS Commissioner and Momase police chief Nema Mondiai,  among others.