Lyna Mohamad
A leadership model with Bruneian characteristics is necessary to produce quality military leaders.
This was said by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in a titah during the Sovereign’s Parade ceremony for the 21st intake of officer cadets at Defence Academy Royal Brunei Armed Forces (DA RBAF) in Kampong Tanah Jambu yesterday.
He called on the DA RBAF to collaborate with universities and military education institutions.
The monarch said the passing out of the 64 officer cadets has brought the number of leaders produced by the Officer Cadet School (OCS) to 752 since its establishment 14 years ago.
His Majesty said the RBAF leadership model plays an important role in producing quality military leaders with Bruneian characteristics such as honesty, trustworthiness, piety, bravery, loyalty and professionalism.
With such a framework, future RBAF officers will be more refined and has high-level learning and training with no compromise, said His Majesty.
The monarch said he was informed that from the 22nd intake, the OCS will enrol officer cadets from abroad to increase defence and diplomatic ties, which also shows that the OCS has achieved international standards and recognition.
His Majesty also expressed appreciation that the OCS took part in oversea trainings such as Singapore Armed Forces Training Institute-Military Institute’s (SAFTI-MI) Joint Urban Operations; SAFTI-MI International Cadet Conference in Singapore; and International Army Cadet Week in China.
To enhance learning and produce highly knowledgeable military officers, the monarch urged DA RBAF to collaborate with universities and military education institutions locally and abroad.
Apart from producing credible military leaders, the academy should use such collaborations to enhance its academic accreditation to meet the level of military education institutions abroad.
