NDA ENDS EXERCISE CAMP HIGHLAND FOR CADETS OF 70 RC, DSSC 27 (NA) AND 31 (NAF) WITH BATTLE INOCULATION
The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) has concluded Exercise Camp Highland for cadets of 70 Regular Course, Direct Short Service Courses 27 of the Nigerian Army (NA) and 31 of the Nigerian Air force (NAF) with the Battle Inoculation and Firepower Demonstration at the Nigerian Army Base Camp, Kachia.
The exercise which took place at theTable Hills of Kachia shooting range on Friday, 11 August 2023 marked the final outdoor military tactical activities for the cadets as they prepare to pass out of the Academy in the coming weeks.
Speaking during the occasion, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division (NA), Maj Gen Abdulsalam Abubakar, who was the Special Guest of Honour (SGoH), disclosed that the scenarios witnessed during the occasion gave him a great nostalgic feelings about his Alma mater as he watched with deep pride and satisfaction the assault phase conducted by the passing out cadets, as well as the firepower demonstration.
He intimated the cadets that the battle inoculation which they carried out was the simulation of real life battle scenario aimed at exposing them to the sites and sound of the battlefield.
He stated that from what he saw, there was no doubt that the efforts by the team of instructors in the Academy have yielded positive outcomes. He maintained that he was convinced that the Battle Inoculation has truly met the objectives of the exercise as it had given a semblance of battlefield experience, albeit without actual casualties and chaos associated with the real modern dynamics battlefield. He further said that since the military cannot possibly replicate actual battle scenario, the firepower demonstration was to show them some of the destructive effects of war as they prepare to pass out.
Gen Abubakar also said that the exercise has given cadets the experience of what they may likely confront in the battlefield as well as giving them a fore-taste of what they would be going through as subalterns while occupying their junior leadership positions in the various Theaters of Operation within and outside the country.
He reminded the cadets that the security situation in Nigeria is in a dire state. “As we are all aware our nation is currently faced with numerous contemporary security challenges ranging from kidnapping, banditry, militancy and violent agitations, amongst others” he stressed. He therefore stated that the Nigerian Armed Forces in collaboration with other sister agencies has the constitutional mandate to combat these threats. He urged the cadets therefore to fall in line with the leadership concept of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Maj Gen CG Musa, which is, “To nurture a professional Nigerian Armed Forces that is people’s centric, capable of meeting its constitutional responsibilities in a joint and collaborative environment”. He further pointed out that the NDA has provided them with all the necessary basic skills, character development and academic prowess that would enable them to fit into the concept.
What would separate the chaff from the grain, he added, would be their resilience, attitude and how they apply themselves to their chosen career thereafter. He reminded them that irrespective of Corps or specialty they may find themselves after their commissioning, they must be prepared to be drafted at short notice for difficult, and sometimes, dangerous and life-threatening operations such as counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations, peace enforcement, peacekeeping and other operations in aid to civil authority. He added that apart from mastering their tactics, techniques and procedure, they also need requisite physical fitness, mental alertness and stamina for them to be able to succeed in the battlefield. However, he expressed confidence that, having watched them charge through their objective under fire, he had no doubt that they are ready for the job ahead. He however encouraged them to continue to engage themselves, noting that it would give them the strength to remain fit always.
While congratulating the cadets for their feat, the SGoH charged them to remain loyal and disciplined. He also thanked the CDS and other Service Chiefs for their strategic direction to the Armed Forces and all the outstanding support that they have provided to all military training institutions including NDA.
Earlier, the Director of Military Training, Brig Gen OA Awolo, welcomed all the guests to the occasion and disclosed that Battle Inoculation was to let cadets have the feel of real battle conditions. He stated that 2023 Exercise Camp Highland started in Jos with cadets of DSSC 27 (NA), 31 (NAF) while 70 Regular Course (RC) started theirs in Kachia as they have previously finished their leadership training in Jos sometime ago. He further revealed that the exercise was organised in line with the new changes in the Academy training curriculum designed to enhance cadets’ capacity to function effectively as junior leaders in our contemporary security environment.
He disclosed that the cadets of DSSC 27 (NA) and 31 (NAF) later joined up with their counterparts of 70 RC in Kachia after completing their leadership training program in Jos, Plateau State, which included Waterman ship as well as the Adventure Phase and abseiling from Shere Hills. He added that the Battle Inoculation and Firepower Demonstration signify the victory as well as the total defeat of terrorists as contained in the exercise narrative. The deliberate attack to take the last adversary objective signified the victory against the adversary that led to a victory march to the table hilltop by the cadets.
While still speaking, he noted that he was bold to say that the participating cadets have so far shown high level of commitment and endurance as well as teamwork during the exercise. He also noted that with the level of training and commitment displayed by the cadets, he had no doubt that they would perform creditably as junior leaders in the field. He maintained that with Exercise Camp Highland being the final outdoor exercise, the cadets have met the requirements for commissioning into the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
The highlights of the event include, Novelty Shoot by the SGoH, other dignitaries including some Academy Corps members, presentation of souvenir to the Special Guests by the Comdt NDA who was ably represented by the DY Comdt NDA, AVM SK Aneke, the Luncheon and Group photograph.
