Eleven new recruits join SPDF |18 August 2018

Eleven new recruits have taken their oath of allegiance confirming them as new members of the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces (SPDF).

The ten males and one female have successfully completed twelve weeks of basic military training at the Military Training Centre (MTC) at Barbarons.

They were welcomed in the ranks of privates in the SPDF family during a passing out ceremony held yesterday afternoon at the Seychelles Defence Academy (SDA), Ile Perseverance, annexed to the Seychelles Coast Guard.

Present were the SPDF deputy chief of defence forces, Colonel Clifford Roseline;  Chief of Staff, Colonel Michael Rosette; Commissioner of Police, Kishnan Labonte; Commander of SDA, Lieutenant Colonel  Edward Annacoura; Commander of MTC, Lieutenant Colonel Philip Barbe; Commanding Officer of the Seychelles Air Force, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Pouponneau; senior and junior ranked army and police officials, lecturers and family members.

It was Colonel Roseline who presented the recruits with their national flag patch. They will now join different units of the SPDF.

The recruits started training on May 18 and received training in weaponry, tactical skills and field work among other military subjects. They also participated in voluntary work in the community, alongside various organisations, to remove plastic along the coast in various places.  

There were 27 participants to start with -- 18 aspiring to be soldiers, and 9 others who are now pursuing their aviation studies overseas. Seven out of the eighteen aspiring soldiers, including two ladies, did not make it and dropped out of the training.

During the ceremony, the best performing recruits were presented with their awards. Private Alvin Vidot was the best overall recruit. He received his shield from deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Colonel Roseline. Private Haashin Chang Pen Tive was the best academic recruit while Private Yannick Barra was the best outdoor recruit.

Addressing the gathering, Colonel Roseline said that we should congratulate the young recruits for taking a brave decision to preserve, protect and defend Seychelles and its people.

“Our motto is ‘Service before Self’, so it is import that as new soldiers, you take your military engagement seriously and let you be guided by the established military codes and conducts and stay focused on your role as a Seychellois  soldier,” he said urging the recruits to exercise goodwill, loyalty, respect and integrity among other good values.

Colonel Roseline also urged their families and friends to support and encourage the young recruits in their military engagements thus keeping them away from social ills, affecting our society today.

He also asked them to support the SPDF in its role to ensure Seychelles’ security.

“At this point, I would like to encourage more young people to come forward and join the SPDF so as to ensure continuity in the force and help to defend our sovereignty. I want to congratulate the young recruits for making the right choice as SPDF provides opportunities for young people to develop a career and who want to progress in life,” Colonel Roseline added, noting that SPDF also offers overseas training.

On behalf of his colleagues, best overall recruit, Private Vidot, thanked all who have supported them in their endeavour to become a soldier and promised to give all to serve the country and the people of Seychelles.

He presented Colonel Roseline with a message to be delivered to the Commander-in-Chief of the SPDF, President Danny Faure.

Private Vidot said that three months’ training was difficult but with perseverance and determination they were able to make it.

“We had the support of one another and with the guidance of our instructors who were always pushing us along, we did it,” he said.

Private Vidot added that he wanted to join the army to continue his career as a nurse and experience it in a different institution other than at the Seychelles Hospital where he was also working as a nurse. 

Private Emma Ladouce, the only female recruit, said that she wanted to join the SPDF as the oganisation will offer her many opportunities.

She encouraged other young women to be bold and not to be afraid or hesitate to join SPDF as they will get to develop their full potential.  

It was the SPDF chaplain, Deacon Louis Agathine, who blessed the new recruits. This was the second recruit intake by SPDF this year.