The event that saw in attendance Members of Government, Heads of Diplomatic Missions, the Secretaries of State for Defence in charge of the National Gendarmerie, Ex-Servicemen and War Victims, the Governor of the Centre Region, Generals, religious and traditional authorities who answered present during the solemn event to give it the pump and colour it deserves.

During the triumph, the ‘Peace, Integration and Development’ batch received their epaulets of Second Lieutenant and Lieutenant, each in their category from MINDEF and a host of other high-profile government officials and military dignitaries whose presence could only reflect an event of such great magnitude.

Invited at the place of their epaulet affixing ritual by the Commander of the institution, Colonel Nang Zengue Roger, two sections of the Aspirants marched in from opposite sites by performing the entrance steps also known as the Queen’s Steps, guided by the rhythm of the grand tambour of the main band of the Army in all majesty and elegance to convey their presence at the esplanade of the Headquarters Brigade as they halted facing the tribune.

The take home message for the new officers was the reading of the message of the President of the Republic, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces by his representative, enjoining them to assume their full place in the accomplishment of the noble mission of the protection of the territorial integrity, the preservation of national unity and the protection of republican institutions.

‘I feel very happy, I am sure these officers will give in their best in the various military bases where they will be posted’, said Colonel Nang Zengue Roger, Commander of EMIA during an interview after the ceremony.

Thanks to its prowess, the Combined Services Military Academy has been a centre of attraction for other countries especially those of the African sub-region. This 40th batch had 23 officers drawn from Guinea, Gabon, Niger, the Central African Republic and Cote d’Ivoire.