The Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) has graduated the first 176 recruits of the army who have completed their Initial Entry Training (IET). The graduation ceremony was conducted at the Barclay Training Center on Thursday, December 22, 2022, with President George M. Weah assuring that the AFL will continue to receive the additional budgetary allocations necessary to continue its recruitment and training process in 2023, in order to augment the strength of the Forces.
Making remarks at the ceremony, President Weah acknowledged that since his inauguration as President of the Republic of Liberia and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia in January 2018, this is the first recruit’s graduation program being held under his administration.
He recounted that the last recruit training exercise of the AFL was conducted in 2013, over eight (8) years ago, when Class “8” recruits graduated at the Tubman Military Training Academy, Camp Todee, Montserrado County. Since that time, he said, the army has been unable to hold subsequent recruits training due to budgetary constraints.
According to him, his government has ensured regular increments in the budget of the Ministry of National Defense over the years. “We will continue to see that the Armed Forces of Liberia receives the additional budgetary allocations necessary to continue its recruitment and training process in 2023, in order to augment the strength of the Forces,” he stated.
“Today, I join our citizens in acknowledgment and appreciation of the loyalty, dedication, and commitment of the gallant men and women of the graduating Class 09, and all those serving in the Liberian Armed Forces in our country. Our country salutes you, as heroes and heroines of our time.
“Let me also extend my gratitude to the 24 Officer Candidates present here with us today, who are still undergoing training at the Officer Candidate School at Tubman Military Academy in Camp Todee. I encourage you to remain focused and persevere through your military career as you learn to lead by example.
“As professional career soldiers from diverse professional backgrounds (medical practitioners, engineers, administrators, social workers, etc), your men in arms will depend on you for guidance and professional leadership. Thank you for volunteering to serve your country. I anticipate a successful graduation as you endure through your second phase of Officer Candidates Training,” President Weah added.
President Weah underscored that the soldiers must be seen as “soldiers of the people” as they perform their duties. “Let me assure you that my Government is committed to providing, as much as is possible within our budgetary constraints, all of the necessary support to ensure that the Armed Forces of Liberia is, and remains, a ‘Force for Good’,” he continued.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Minister of National Defense, Daniel D. Ziankahn, expressed deep gratitude to the President of Liberia and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia for his unwavering support to the AFL since the inception of his administration.
Minister Ziankahn said, “As we gathered here to observe another milestone aimed at the continuous support for the Armed Forces of Liberia, the onus is on me as the Minister of National Defense regarding the implementation of the Ministry of Defense mandate as enshrined in the National Defense Act of 2008, to recruit and retain a strong and ready force.
“I am extremely grateful to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia for his unflinching support of our military. Today’s occasion is a clear manifestation of such support.
“Let me also extend my profound thanks and appreciation to the legislative branch, especially both Houses’ committees on Defense, Security and Intelligence, for your oversight and guidance which continue to position the Armed Forces of Liberia as a ‘Force for Good’.”
Minister Ziankahn entreated the graduates to strive to earn the trust of their subordinates, command respect from their peers, and earn the confidence of their superiors.