The crisp cadence of boots striking the parade ground echoed with pride and purpose as the 23rd Intake of Officer Cadets from the Officer Cadet School (OCS), Defence Academy, Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), marked the grand occasion of their Sovereign Parade.
It was a moment of honour and achievement, made even more significant as four outstanding cadets stood tall, their dedication and perseverance recognised in the presence of 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.
Lieutenant Nor Azwar Zuwairey bin Haji Norshamli received the prestigious Sword of Honour, recognising excellence across all areas of training. Lieutenant Dayangku Nur Muta’wakillah binti Pengiran Haji Mohd Ali earned the Best Academic Award for outstanding scholastic achievements.
Lieutenant Muhd Nizam Saadudin bin Mohd Yusof, RBN was awarded the Best Military Skills Award for exceptional performance, while Lieutenant (U) Muhd Irfan Affendy bin Muhd Eddy Rizwan Affendy received the Best in Physical Training Award for his remarkable endurance.
The Sovereign Parade marked a significant milestone, reflecting their discipline, resilience and commitment to serving the nation.
A MOTHER’S DREAM, A SON’S PROMISE
A graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Sciences from Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), 25-year-old Lieutenant Nor Azwar Zuwairey reflected on the challenges he faced during training. Adapting to the rigorous demands of military training was no easy feat, but the true test lay in leadership trials such as the commander challenge and jungle operations.
Pushing himself both mentally and physically, he embraced the journey, honing his skills and deepening his understanding of battlefield strategies to rise to the demands of an officer’s role.
“Adapting to the military environment and the challenges ahead is crucial for a cadet to successfully complete the months of training. Hence, my advice to those interested in joining the military is to adopt this mind set and always maintain self-discipline.
“At OCS, we are trained to be leaders, and it is equally important to uphold the course values of loyalty, taqwa, and professionalism.”
He further shared that joining the military was his mother’s wish where she hoped at least one of her children would choose a career with the military.
“Alhamdulillah, I am happy to have fulfilled my mother’s dream, and her wish was realised not by one, but by two of her children, as my brother also successfully enrolled in OCS alongside me.”
Throughout his training, his mother’s motivational words and constant prayers uplifted his spirit, giving him the strength and determination to persevere and successfully complete the challenges he faced.
He expressed gratitude and Junjung Kasih to His Majesty for attending the parade and presenting the award, while thanking his parents for their unwavering support and prayers, which inspired him to push his limits and earn the Sword of Honour.
“To our instructors who trained us with dedication and made sacrifices to mould us into military officers, thank you so much. As I embark on my full commitment as a military officer, I pledge to continue striving for excellence and to develop a strong sense of leadership within myself.”
AN UNEXPECTED INSPIRATION
Lieutenant Muhd Nizam Saadudin is a graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of New South Wales, Australia.
During his years of study in Australia, he met and befriended a navy officer whose way of speaking and thinking left a lasting impression on him. Inspired by the officer’s demeanour and leadership, he decided to enrol in OCS upon completing his studies.
The day-to-day training that his intake underwent, particularly in time management and discipline, proved to be a guiding force throughout the programme. Although transitioning from civilian life to military training was initially a struggle, his consistency, commitment, and perseverance enabled him to adapt successfully.
“For me, what kept me motivated to push through each day’s training, no matter how tough it was, was mental endurance, self-motivation, believing in myself, and trusting in my ability to complete the training. Teamwork with my fellow cadets was also crucial in keeping me going.”
A CAREER WITH PURPOSE
Lieutenant (U) Muhd Irfan Affendy bin Muhd Eddy Rizwan Affendy, a Level 5 Digital Media graduate from Politeknik Brunei, credits his strong and positive mindset for helping him adapt to the OCS training. This mind set not only built his confidence and fighting spirit but also fostered cooperation with his fellow intake mates.
Earning the Best Physical Training Award was a well-deserved reward for his hard work.
The 26-year-old shared that his family was a major source of motivation in his decision to join the military. His strong desire to help them lead a better, more comfortable life drove his commitment to the path he chose.
“I see that a career in the military not only secures my future but also helps ease my family’s burden, while shaping me into a disciplined individual and instilling a strong sense of leadership and responsibility,” he said. His advice to young people considering the military is to enrol with genuine interest and good intentions. “It makes all the difference when facing the challenges of training. Joining simply to escape unemployment will not be enough.”
Expressing his pride in receiving the award, he thanked his supportive parents, whose constant prayers for his well-being and success kept him going. He also expressed gratitude to his close friends, whose encouragement helped him stay strong and focused throughout his training.
GROWTH THROUGH STRUGGLES
Becoming a military officer has always been her passion, and Lieutenant Dayangku Nur Muta’wakillah binti Pengiran Haji Mohd Ali is thrilled to have achieved her dream and begun her career in the military.
A graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Economics, she highlighted that the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) has provided them with a wealth of military knowledge, opening doors to numerous opportunities and new learning experiences.
“I am blessed to have the unwavering support of my parents and family, who always boost my fighting spirit. Their constant prayers have been instrumental in getting me to where I am today. All my efforts are for them, as well as for my fellow intake. I could never have made it without them.”
Reflecting on her journey as an officer cadet, she shared that two particular service terms stood out: one for the Land Force and another for the final training endeavour. She was tasked with being in charge of one of the heaviest weapons during an exercise at Bukit Agok, which proved to be quite a challenge. “We had to dig trenches, but overall, it was a valuable experience because we did it together as a team.”
The exercise pushed them beyond their limits, teaching them the importance of selflessness and always thinking of others. She believes this experience has deeply impacted her personality – shaping how she communicates and leads others. As a platoon commander during the exercise, she learned the importance of balancing the well-being of her subordinates while taking care of herself. – Lyna Mohammad
