Biya christens 40th batch of EMIA trainees “Peace, Integration & Dev’t”.

Minister Beti Assomo, military top brass & cross section of cadet officers immortalize event

The Head of State, Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces, Paul Biya, has christened the 40th batch of cadet officers of the Combined Services Military Academy, EMIA, as the batch of “Peace, Integration and Development”.

The baptismal name was disclosed on behalf of President Biya by the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo.

This was during a ceremony at the ceremonial ground of the Headquarters Brigade in Yaounde, on Friday January 31.

The event was attended by the two Secretaries of State to the Minister of Defence, Yves Galax Etoga and Koumpa Issa; the Secretary General of the Ministry of Defence, Saïd Kamsouloum, top brass of the military led by the Chief of Defence StaffLieutenant General Rene Claude Meka; other senior military officers and relatives of the trainees.  

In strict respect of military rituals, the cadet officers were invited to the ceremonial ground for the by the Commander of EMIA, who doubled as troops commander at the event, Colonel Roger Nang Zengue.

Clad in their official attire and equipped with their swords, the cadet officers displayed skills acquired so far, before getting on their knees for the proclamation of their christening name. 

“On behalf of the President of the Republic, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the 40th batch of the Combined Services Military Academy is christened Peace, Integration and Development,” Minister Beti Assomo revealed on behalf of President Biya. 

As per EMIA tradition, each batch is given a baptismal name to serve as a reference for the identification and order of succession of the various batches. 

The choice of name is inspired either by the political context at the time of its attribution or in memory of soldiers who have particularly distinguished themselves by their exploits. 

It is a reference which serves as a motivation and a line of conduct to those bearing the name. 

 

Specificities of the 40th batch 

The batch is made up of 336 cadet officers from Cameroon and five other friendly countries including, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea Conakry, Central African Republic, Gabon, and Niger. The batch has a total of 83 female cadet officers. It also has the largest number of cadet officers from CAR. 

It is also the third batch to be trained for the probationary year at Tchabbal in Ngaoundere and the second batch to undergo commando training with special forces at Tchabbal. 

Speaking after the christening ritual, the Commander of EMIA, Colonel Roger Nang Zengue, assured reporters that the training of 40th batch is unfolding smoothly after a 100% success rate in the transition from first to second year. 

Colonel Nang Zengue said the christening is a tradition where the cadet officers take the “engagement to serve the country till the ultimate sacrifice”.

Minister Beti Assomo revealing baptismal name of 40th batch of EMIA on behalf of President Biya

 

 

About the training 

The training of the 40th batch of cadet officers started on February 27, 2023. The three-year training is divided into four phases.

The main goal is to forge the future officers with physical, moral, intellectual, and technical capacities to enable them better accomplish their missions. 

The cadet officers have so far completed the probationary year which focused on common basic training and group leader training in Tchabbal. 

The phase aimed at developing all military aptitudes in the cadet officers with particular emphasis on physical training and basic combat skills to enable them efficiently command a team and to conduct the defined instructions necessary to develop the skills to command a combat squad. 

The cadet officers have also undergone technics on commando training in Tchabbal for 30 days with particularity to give them basics on commando operations which necessitates a high level of training and concentration.

They will also be drilled on forest inoculation training course in Motcheboum in the East Region, automobile driving course aimed at giving them basic skills and reflexes necessary for driving as well as airborne troops commando course in Koutaba to inculcate in them techniques in fast-roping and airdrop operations. 

Also, on the training programme is hazing and theoretical courses to be done in Yaounde to enable them develop and reinforce the spirit of discipline, and moral strength to be able to transcend all obstacles, self-transcendence and perseverance, physical and intellectual alertness, the sense of duty and responsibility, spirit of camaraderie and tolerance. 

The trainees will also under counter terrorism and commando training course in Man O’war Bay, take theoretical course in Yaounde to acquire general military knowledge.

They will also undertake a field study in Njore, Bakoa and Ngaoundal, to put to practice the theoretical knowledge, maintain physical fitness, and usage of individual and collective arms. 

They will also be drilled on detecting and neutralising Improvised Explosive Devices, forest inoculation training in the Sahel zone, alligator exercise among others. 

 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3358 of Monday February 03, 2025

 

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