Walter Nyamukondiwa in NYABIRA
ONE hundred and twenty Zimbabwe National Army soldiers, including 15 women, have completed a 14-week General Squad Drill and Small Arms Course designed to strengthen military discipline, weapons proficiency and junior leadership across army formations.
The course, which began on July 20, brought together 105 male and 15 female soldiers drawn from various army units, with all 120 completing the demanding programme.
Officiating at the graduation ceremony, Mechanised Brigade commander Brigadier-General Stanford Kufa said the training had equipped the junior non-commissioned officers with essential competencies to improve performance in their respective units.
He said the course, the 14th to be conducted by the formation since the amalgamation of drill and small arms training in 2011, demonstrated the brigade’s capacity to develop junior military leaders to the required professional standards.
“The successful completion of this demanding and developmental programme stands as a clear testament to the brigade’s enduring commitment to excellence in training and leadership development for junior non-commissioned officers of the Zimbabwe National Army,” he said.
The programme covered physical training, field craft, section and platoon weapons, range work, and arms and foot drill, equipping graduates to conduct squad drills independently, maintain military standards and competently employ section weapons as directed.
Brig-Gen Kufa said the skills acquired went beyond the pursuit of promotion, providing a foundation for the effective discharge of soldiers’ daily regimental duties and further professional development.
“Let me also dispel the misconception that this course merely serves as a pathway to promotion. Rather, it is fundamentally about acquiring essential competencies for your day-to-day regimental duties and serves as a foundation for further professional development,” he said.
He urged the graduates to transfer their knowledge to their respective units, ensuring that soldiers under their leadership were disciplined, properly drilled and capable of executing assigned tasks.
The training also covered military law, the application of disciplinary principles, Zimbabwe’s historical background and contemporary geopolitical issues, broadening the soldiers’ understanding of their professional responsibilities.
Brig-Gen Kufa particularly commended the 15 female graduates for successfully completing the programme alongside their male counterparts, describing their achievement as evidence of women’s growing contribution to the traditionally male-dominated military profession.
“I am pleased that all 120 of you managed to make it to today. I wish to particularly commend the 15 female students who stood shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts throughout the course,” he said.
He said the demanding training schedule, which included early starts, late dismissals and lessons extending into weekends, was intended to build resilience and prepare soldiers for the realities of military operations.
He acknowledged the support provided by the Mounted Regiment and CAD, whose instructors supplemented the Mechanised Brigade training team, as well as Army Headquarters staff and the Zimbabwe School of Infantry.
Brig-Gen Kufa also recognised the contribution of families who assumed additional responsibilities at home while the soldiers undertook the intensive course.
He urged the graduates to remain ambassadors of the Mechanised Brigade Training Centre and uphold the standards instilled during their training.
