HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday consented to grace a momentous occasion for 26 Officer Cadets who are now officially enrolled into the military world after successfully completing a gruelling 42-week course under the wings of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF)’s Officer Cadet School (OCS).

At the Sovereign’s Parade for the OCS’s 9th Intake held at the Parade Square of the OCS in Sungai Akar Camp yesterday, His Majesty who is also the Minister of Defence and Supreme Commander of the RBAF, was accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince Lieutenant ‘Abdul Mateen.

His Majesty was greeted upon arrival by the Deputy Minister of Defence, Dato Paduka Awang Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat; as well as RBAF Commander, Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin.

After receiving the royal salute from the static guard of honour led by 884 Lt (U) Muhammad Isyak bin Haji Ismail, His Majesty proceeded to inspect the parade of graduating Officer Cadets from the 9th OCS Intake supported by their junior counterparts from the 10th intake.

Comprising 14 men and 12 women, the 9th intake began their military journey late last year and went through 17 weeks of general and basic military training, 19 weeks of focusing on special to service training and six weeks of final term which covers further professional training.

They are expected to begin their service soon and execute their duties under various units in the RBAF.

As customary to OCS traditions, the top intake cadet officer was awarded by His Majesty with the ‘Sword of Honour’. 21709 Ocdt Siti Syamimi binti Haji Emran holds a Master of Science (MSc) in Occupational Health, Safety and Environment from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom.

The second award for the ‘Best Overall in Academics’ was presented to 50256 Ocdt Awang Mohammad Adi Asmawi bin Awang Adanan who graduated from University of Wales Institute, Cardiff with a HND in Sports Development and Coaching.

The award for ‘Best Military Skills’, meanwhile, was presented to 50246 Ocdt (U) Muhammad Hifdzullah Haji Mat Yamin who graduated from the University of Manchester, United Kingdom with a degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering.

Another woman, a graduate from Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) with a degree in Physical Education, 21714 Ocdt Nurul Hairani binti Abdul Hamid became the recipient of the ‘Best in Physical Training Endurance’ for her consistent and progressive results during endurance training.

Following the parade, His Majesty proceeded to the Officer’s Mess of the Sungai Akar Camp where he was presented with a ‘pesambah’ entitled ‘Qiyatul Faizin’, an arabic word that translates into ‘a successful leader’. Another ‘pesambah’, a book entitled ‘My Journey’ written by the Graduating Officer Cadets was also presented to His Majesty.

The Monarch later mingled with the graduating cadets and their families, as well as officers and trainers of the OCS.

Before leaving the Officer’s Mess, His Majesty consented to sign a parchment to commemorate his visit. This was followed by a group photo. - Borneo Bulletin (9 July 2013)