Comrades,
Today marks the triumphant culmination of the 66th Intake of the Defence Services Academy. This day resonates with a great honor bestowed upon each of you and an eloquent rejuvenation for our Nation and the Tatmadaw.
Comrades,
The nurture of comrades, driven by the unfeigned aspiration, ‘To produce well- rounded and calibred officers for Defence Services,’incarnates the resolute dedication to fostering the entrusted leaders of our Nation and the Tatmadaw.Likewise, comrades shaped by the alma mater and fueled by a relentless pursuit of excellence have emerged as the new junior leaders of the Nation and the Tatmadaw, embodying the commitment to integrity and standing poised to remain steadfast in their assigned roles within the designated units.
Inspired by the motto of the Defence Services Academy, ‘The Triumphant Elite of the Future,’ comrades are called to synthesize the military acumen and scholarly knowledge instilled by the academy into a seamless blend of valor and strategic thought, striving for victory in every battle. With great conviction, I affirm that comrades inspired by a commitment to leave no stone unturned and the intrinsic dedication of servicemen to safeguarding the Nation, stand ready to serve with concerted effort as commendable soldiers in the battlefield, ardently upholding the virtuous legacy and immense prestige of the Defence Services Academy.
Comrades,
It is paramount that those entrusted with the mantle of junior leadership within their respective corps and units demonstrate integrity and righteousness in guiding their subordinates.
The art of leadership imparted by the alma mater serves as the cornerstone, yet it is through the seamless integration of prior knowledge with insights gained across the real-world scenarios that one ascends to the cultivation of exemplary and well-documented leaders.
Furthermore, a leader must guide their subordinates impartially to achieve righteous leadership and propel their team forward. It is imperative for a leader to exemplify obedience, respect, and trust, earning these qualities from their subordinates while maintaining a streamlined and efficient approach.
To achieve this, comrades must commit to refining their leadership qualities through both battlefield challenges and practical domains, aligning their actions with the sixteen characteristics of leadership articulated by the Tatmadaw.
Only through such dedication one can ascend to the pinnacle of righteous and transformative leadership.
Comrades,
In the noble pursuit of national defence, our military personnel remain steadfast in their commitment to safeguarding the Nation, embracing boundless sacrifices driven by indomitable will, regardless of time or place. They must adhere rigorously to core determination while cultivating measured amenability, fortified by the inculcationof moral virtues. To imbue the members of the cohesive forces with the virtues of morality, the framework is meticulously crafted to foster the imperatives of training, administration, and welfare.
Yet, it is further forged in the crucible of patriotic fervor, nationalistic zeal, communal amenability and determination, time-honored tradition, and the thread of historical narrative that anchors it. Within the crucible of patriotic fervor emergesa spirit unwavering in its devotion to one’s country, nationality, language, literature, and culture. This indomitable spirit is propelled by patriotic indignation in response to offenses or threats to integrity, identity, and sovereignty of the country and its people. It stands as a testament to selfless dedication and sacrifice for country.
When the inculcation of these spirits is realized,individual determination and amenability will be elevated, and mental resilience will reach its optimal potential. It is established that victory in history can still be achieved through a resolute demeanor,even when the strength of manpower and weaponry is diminished. Thus, comrades are charged with not only refining your own character but also strengthening the bonds of the cohesive forces through indomitable patriotic fervor, steadfast dedication to national defence, and abiding compassion for your fellow comrades and the Tatmadaw. In the face of adversity, let your resolve remain unshaken, guided by the resolute spirit enshrined in Myanmar adage,’Not a soul in the hull, yet the ensign stays aloft’a testament to immutable determination. Embrace the enduring ethos of ‘Fighting tooth and nail’a relentless commitment to duty and embody the ultimate sacrifice in preserving the virtuous traditions and legacy of the Tatmadaw.
I would like to exhort all comrades to inscribe upon your hearts the sacred duty of upholding and magnifying the noble legacy of the Tatmadaw. Let your actions elevate its prestige through the embodiment of the highest dedication, fueled by patriotic fervor and nationalistic zeal.
Comrades,
As discipline and a positive mindset are intrinsically linked, the cultivation of a positive mindset invariably reinforces disciplined behavior.Discipline serves as a moral virtue and the backbone and soul of the Tatmadaw, making it vital to respect and maintain it diligently.
Although discipline may come in various forms, when categorized, it falls into two main types: prescriptive discipline and prohibitive discipline. Prescriptive discipline directs actions to follow consistently, while prohibitive discipline defines actions to avoid entirely. Therefore, just as it is essential to adhere to the promulgated sixty codes of conduct with full commitment, much like securing a Longyi around the waist, it is imperative to abide by battlefield discipline, workplace discipline, and civil law.
Given the stringent disciplinary measures mandated by the Military Act, a thorough study and understanding of its provisions are imperative to ensure proactive compliance.
Moreover, a profound grasp of and commitment to the ‘Rules of Engagement (RoE)’observed worldwide are indispensable for maintaining operational integrity.
Comrades,
Comrades as young leaders are charged not only with enforcing discipline among the subordinates but also with exemplifying and upholding it themselves. Especially, one should embody exemplary discipline and avoid behaviors that could harm individuals or the organization. Substance abuse and overindulgence not only tarnish personal potential but also have a far-reaching detrimental impact on the fabric of family and community life.
Thus, every individual must live with both moral awareness (conscience) and intellectual awareness (cognition), and it is essential to guide subordinates in the same manner. I would like to convey that living in strict adherence to discipline is vital, as it shapes not only the individual but also the reputation of the Tatmadaw, with the demeanor of every individual serving as a pillar of its dignity.
Comrades,
Given that comrades are pledged to serve at all times, in all places, and in all seasons without reservation, it is crucial to maintain optimal fitness. Training is essential for maintainingoptimal fitness and plays a crucial role in building a military unit. The relationship between training and optimal health is reciprocal: training enhances health, while effective training requires one to be in peak physical condition to perform at their best. To undergo training, strength and skill are necessary.
Strength is the manifestation of ongoing training in physical endurance and mental well-being for individuals, whereas skill embodies expertise in weaponry and accumulated military science. Skill fosters confidence, and confidence be gets the courage and strength to confront any challenge without hesitation. As these virtues stem from rigorous training, I call upon you to embrace continuous training, guided by the Tatmadaw’s training policy: ‘Be Fit,Be Competent, Be Bold,’ to sustain both physical and mental readiness.
Comrades,
In the wake of the ruling party’s blatant perpetration of electoral fraud following the 2020 Multi-party General Election, a state of emergency was proclaimed, casting the nation into a grimand turbulent phase, rife with upheaval and scarred by disastrous debacles. In its role as the custodian of State sovereignty, the Tatmadaw, through the ultimate goal of the State Administration Council, undertook the formidable tasks of reinstating free and fair multiparty democratic general elections.
This endeavor began with the launch of a nationwide population and household census in early October, marking a critical step in ensuring electoral integrity. This effort stands as a cornerstone of the preparatory framework designed to preserve the inviolable rights of all eligible voters, ensuring the forthcoming general election is executed with precision and integrity, as delineated in the Five-Point Road Map of the State Administration Council. The data gathered through the national census will play a pivotal role, not only in refining the voter registry for multi-party democratic general elections but also in shaping the Nation’s developmental trajectory for years to come. I call upon all comrades to dedicate themselves fully within their respective sectors, ensuring the meticulous organization of the election through accurate voter lists, and facilitating the seamless transition of national responsibilities to the government that emerges from the election results.
Comrades,
Our Tatmadaw, in collaboration with the people, has successfully overcome both internal and external destructive elements in successive epochs.
Similarly, there is to have the ability to encounter and overcome the potential threats to the country through the collective strength of the government, the military and the people.At present, internal and external subversives are using social media as a weapon to undermine solidarity and cohesion between the government and the people, and between the people and the Tatmadaw.
Especially, it can be observed that attemptsare being made to sow discord through the dissemination of fake news and misinformation among military personnel who are faithfully carrying out their national defence duties to safeguard the territorial integrity and tranquility of our Nation. Comrades should not be deceived by such deliberate dissemination of fake news and misinformation aimed at the disintegration of Tatmadaw, and it is crucial to strengthen the cohesion of military personnel and their families within their respective units to ensure they remain steadfast in their determination and amenability, shielding them from the corrosive impact of fake news and misinformation while fostering unity within the unit. I would like to highlight that the dutiful execution of orders and duties assigned by superiors, along with the successful implementation of four major tasks on a daily basis, while leading subordinates with much exposure, plays a crucial role in strengthening unity within the unit.
Comrades,
While it is necessary to strengthen unity within the unit, building external unity beyond the unit is equally important. At this juncture, it is irrefutable that opposing factions, in concert with certain individuals and destructive media outlets, haveconspired to underminepublic credibility and tarnish the Tatmadaw’s reputation through manipulative rhetoric. It is unquestionable that such concerns can inflict the detrimental impact upon Tatmadaw and national solidarity. Consequently, it is imperative to remain vigilant and discerning of the harmful activities instigated by opposing factions and destructive media outlets, while underscoring the critical need to cultivate external unity beyond the unit. I firmly assert that comrades must rigorously uphold the established codes of conduct with steadfast commitment to fostering external unity beyond the unit. They are also duty-bound to render public services, including making substantial contributions to regional development projects, providing swift and decisive aid in the aftermath of natural disasters, and ensuring the comprehensive provision of education, healthcare, and social welfare. These obligations must be fulfilled with sincerity and profound dedication, as they are integral to the Tatmadaw’s paramount responsibilities.
Comrades,
In conclusion, I would like to reiterate the following points:
- To diligently fulfill duties as commendable soldiers, meriting recognition on the battlefield by upholding the virtuous traditions andlegacy of the Defence Services Academy.
- To continually strive for the enhancement of leadership qualities in alignment with the sixteen characteristics of leadership
- To elevate the prestige of the Tatmadaw in pursuit of patriotic and nationalistic fervor, by steadfastly upholding its virtuous traditions
- To consistently undergo training, ensuring combat readiness for national defence in alignment with the Tatmadaw’s training policy: ‘Be Fit, Be Competent, Be Bold’, and
- To strive towards becoming ‘The Triumphant Elite of the Future’, capable of successfully fulfilling the Tatmadaw’s objectives in their respective roles.
Speech Delivered by
Chairman of the State Administration Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services
Senior General Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing
at the Passing Out Parade of the 66th Intake of Defence Services Academy
