Training/Retraining of troops in tactics & techniques necessary to surmount volatile security challenges – Gds Brigade Commander.

The Commander Guards Brigade, Brigadier General Umar Tama Musa has said that training and re-training of Nigerian Army personnel is necessary to prepare and develop Tactics, Techniques and Procedures to adequately deal with the evolving security challenges confronting the nation.

Speaking at the 2019 Corporal and Below Obstacle Competition at the Mambilla Barracks in Abuja on Thursday, the Commander noted that in a “highly volatile, unpredictable, chaotic and ambiguous environment like ours”, troops must be on top and ahead in physical, mental and psychological preparedness to excel when called upon.

“You must also not forget the attendant consequences of the asymmetrical dimension of the security challenges bedeviling our dear country which therefore requires constant training at all levels in order to be ahead of the adversary.

“It is on this basis and in line with Chief of Army Staffs vision of having ‘a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles that Nigerian Army outlined series of training activities in 2019 Forecast of Events’.

To the over 300 soldiers and officers that took part in the three days grueling competition, he said, “It is important for you to remember that the Corporal and Below Competition is intended to enhance troops physical fitness, combat survival as well as confidence and team spirit.

“It will also build the combat capacity of the participating units. Therefore, the idea of organizing this all important training activity is highly commendable.

“I am aware that you have competed for ‘Skill at Arms, Map Reading/Navigation and Cross Country where winners have emerged. I say well done’.

“This is following a series of other training activities in line with the Brigade’s Training Directives for 2019, the last of which was the Inter-Unit Drill Competition.

While congratulating the winners, Brigadier General Musa commended all participants in the competition noting that the most important thing is the commitment and very competitive spirit displayed by the troops which has reinforced their physical and mental preparedness

Soldiers of 177 battalion emerged overall winners of the competition with 354.7 points, followed by 176 battalion with 341.8 points. 7 Guards battalion came third with 332.4 points, 102 guards battalion emerged 4th with 303.4 points while Guards Brigade Garrison emerged 5th with 298.9points.

Highlight of the obstacle crossing was the decision of some Commanding Officers of some of the battalions to show the soldiers that they still had all it takes to surmount obstacles by mounting and overcoming the challenges of the drills.

Lt. Col Muktar Daroda, CO of 7 Guards Battalion and Lt. Col Uba, CO of 177 Battalion raised the bar with their professional climbing and surmounting of obstacles and this drew accolades from the soldiers and the Brigade Commander as well as Chief of Staff, Col Kassim Sidi.

It would be recalled that Guards Brigade is the elite military outfit saddled with the task of protecting Mr President, his family, the presidential Villa, the FCT and environs. It is also responsible for protection and ceremonials of foreign visiting heads of state and government when they visit Nigeria.

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