SPDF welcomes last batch of recruits for the year |20 December 2014

Ten new recruits, with only one girl among the lot, have joined the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces (SPDF) family.
This took place yesterday in a passing out ceremony at the Seychelles Defence Academy at Ile Perseverance.

They were welcomed in the force by the Chief of Defence Forces Brigadier Leopold Payet on behalf of the Commander in Chief, President James Michel.

Training for these recruits, with three trainee pilots among them, started on September 29, 2014. There was a total of twenty-one but not all managed to complete the training.

During the training the recruits covered several subjects like tactics, water training, map reading, drill, communications, first aid, just to name some.
They put all these into practice through their field trainings outside camp.

Welcoming them to the SPDF, Brigadier Payet told the recruits a career within the defence forces is full of opportunities and personal development for young people. They have to be serious and ready to make sacrifices. They should be ready to listen and act like a real soldier, be disciplined, exemplary, loyal and have other good military values. They should not just wear the uniforms.

“The defence forces is the pride of our nation. Discipline obliges us to portray this good image everywhere we go and in everything we do,” said Brigadier Payet.

He reminded them of the importance of having good attitude towards their work and to have that will to continue to pursue further studies.

He also told older SPDF members to continue guiding those young people in a good direction so they can instill in themselves that sense of responsibility and loyalty.
Brigadier Payet also said the SPDF also has practiced the values which have been put in place at national level.
“This month we are celebrating compassion. So let us have more compassion towards our brothers and sisters,” he said.

He highlighted the SPDF policy towards drugs which is zero tolerance especially where drug abuse is concerned.
Brigadier Payet then urged the new recruits to join the Defence Forces Spouse Association which brings all members of the force together.

On behalf of her fellow recruits, the only female member of the group, Agnelle Boniface, told her fellow comrades that obedience is important in the force and that they have to be disciplined.

She then asked Brigadier Payet to transmit their message to the Commander in Chief President James Michel.
The recruits also received their awards and certificates after following a course in firefighting and first aid.

Best overall recruit was Harry Labrosse and he received his certificate from the Chief of Defence Forces. Julian Morel and Agnelle Boniface came second and third respectively.