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Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman remarked that practicing religious values and adhering to religious discipline in military life is paramount. He stated that a skilled, modern, and patriotic army is of immense importance for upholding the independence and sovereignty of the motherland. The leadership responsibility of this army primarily rests with the officers.
The Army Chief said that the Bangladesh Military Academy was established in 1974 with the aim of creating dedicated, skilled, smart, talented, and suitable army officers for 21st-century leadership within the Bangladesh Army.
He further added that under the leadership of officers commissioned from this internationally renowned academy, inspired by loyalty, discipline, integrity, and a sense of duty, the Bangladesh Army continues to make significant contributions both within the country and beyond its borders.
The Bangladesh Army, enlightened by the motto ‘Chiro Unnato Momo Shir’ (My Head Ever High), has been enriching the army through the visionary planning and smooth training operations of the Bangladesh Military Academy. The Army Chief remarked, ‘We are proud and grateful for this contribution of the Bangladesh Military Academy.’
The Army Chief made these remarks as the chief guest at the President’s Parade, organized on Thursday (June 18) to mark the commissioning of officer cadets of the 90th long-term course of the Bangladesh Military Academy (BMA).
The Army Chief inspected the parade and received salutes at the BMA Parade Ground in Bhatiary, Chattogram. He also distributed awards among the outstanding cadets.
The Army Chief said, ‘You will be pleased to know that various practical development plans have been adopted for the modernization of the army due to the current changed global situation. Following this, the activities of the Second Bangladesh Battalion at the Bangladesh Military Academy will be officially inaugurated today, Insha’Allah, to improve the quality of cadet training, ensure modern facilities, and maintain the continuity of up-to-date training.’
He further stated, ‘I believe that the Second Bangladesh Battalion will play a crucial role in developing skilled, smart, and capable leadership to face the challenges of the modern battlefield, in the commitment to uphold the independence and sovereignty of our beloved motherland.’
Addressing the graduating cadets, the Army Chief said, ‘Through the oath-taking ceremony, the sacred responsibility of protecting the country’s independence and sovereignty has been entrusted upon the newly commissioned officers.’
After three years of rigorous military training, 184 officer cadets from the 90th BMA Long Course were commissioned into the Bangladesh Army through the parade. Among them are 166 male and 18 female officers. Additionally, 4 officer cadets from Palestine, 1 from Tanzania, 1 from Zambia, and 1 from Maldives completed their military training at BMA and will join their respective national armies.
Battalion Senior Under Officer Khairul Islam of the 90th BMA Long Course earned the exceptionally prestigious ‘Sword of Honor’ as the best all-round cadet and the ‘Army Chief’s Gold Medal’ for excellence in military subjects. Concurrently, Sergeant Abu Bakar from Tanzania received the ‘BMA Trophy of Excellence’ as the best foreign cadet trained at the academy. Subsequently, the graduating cadets took a formal oath to protect the country’s independence and sovereignty. Afterwards, guests and the parents/guardians of the graduating cadets adorned the new officers with their rank badges.
At the beginning of the ceremony, upon the arrival of the chief guest at the BMA Parade Ground, he was welcomed by the Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) Army Training and Doctrine Command and Commandant, Bangladesh Military Academy, and the General Officer Commanding (GOC) and Area Commander of the 24th Infantry Division, Chattogram Area. Members of Parliament, high-ranking military and civilian officials from home and abroad, parents and guardians of the newly commissioned officers, invited guests, and media personnel witnessed the parade.
Subsequently, the Army Chief inaugurated the ‘2nd Bangladesh Battalion’ at BMA. The ‘2nd Bangladesh Battalion’ has been established alongside the ‘1st Bangladesh Battalion’ with the aim of enhancing the professional skills, leadership qualities, and overall training standards of officer cadets undergoing training at BMA to face the challenges of modern warfare. Additionally, he inaugurated the newly constructed CMH, Bhatiary; BMA Park; BMA Swimming Pool; and MES Office Complex projects at BMA. Senior military officials from the three services were present at the ceremony.