The ceremony rich in colour kick started with the arrival of Major General Philip Mpay, who later bowed to the national flag followed by the singing of the national anthem.

After taking his sit, the more than one hundred young dynamic vibrant cadet officers dressed in their navy-blue ceremonial wears meant for ceremonies of great magnitude, made their way to the esplanade with royal steps.

Through the command on your knees the cadet officers all knelt down as the Commander of Military Schools and Training Centres, touched the sword on both epaulettes of one of the cadet officers divinely selected by nature.

After touching both epaulettes with the sword he handed it to the cadet officer who received it with maestro and placed it by his side in a reposing manner.

The same ritual was carried out by the commanders of EMIA, Colonel Nang Zengue Roger and the Staff and Command College Colonel Abanda. The floor was later given to the god parents who took over and simultaneously executed the same military ritual after the command ‘adoube’.

Worthy to note is that the sword handing ceremony marks a transition from the probatory period where the cadet officer had to go through the common basic training, group leader training, the forest inoculation training as well as driving courses, to their first officers training course. For the sword is the weapon of the officer, which signifies their total commitment and loyalty to the service of the fatherland.

The Chief of the Initial Training Division, Lieutenant Colonel Mbole Asse Alphonse led the military parade performed by the cadet officers with their swords thus marking the end of the ceremony.