Arusha — Three cadets of the Seychelles People's Defense Forces (SPDF) who have just completed a one-year training course in military operations at the Monduli based Tanzania Military Academy (TMA) here in Arusha, have been presented with their commissioning certificates by the SPDF Chief of Staff, Colonel Leopold Payet, during a ceremony held recently at the SPDF Headquarters in Bel Eau.

The three, Rodney Zarine aged 21, Archil Mondon aged 20, and the 21 year old Ivel Ernesta, were also promoted to the ranks of officers by Colonel Payet at the ceremony, which was also attended by other officers of SPDF.

During their twelve months training programs that ran here between July 8, 2005 and July 8, this year, the three officers underwent a series of both military-oriented courses, as well as security systems.

The training course was divided into three phases. During the first three months, the three officers had the opportunity to test and improve their physical strength while the following three months was dedicated to the academic aspect of the course.

During the last three months of the one-year training course the Seychellois officers had the opportunity to test both their physical and academic abilities with other officers from a number of African countries, such as Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Uganda and South Africa.

Congratulating the three young officers for their accomplishments, Colonel Payet urged them to pass on the new skills and knowledge acquired to other officers in the SPDF.

The three officers, who said that they are now ready to discharge their responsibilities, have described their training as being both tough and 'quite challenging.'