The Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto welcomed five newly commissioned officers into the RFMF Officers Corps.

The commissioning was held at the Officers Mess at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks at Delainabua in Suva on Thursday.

While speaking to the five field commissioned officers at the Officers Mess, the Commander of the RFMF emphasised on the two core values of the force, which he believed was the foundation of his 2018 Command Intent – ‘Honesty’ and ‘Respect’.

“There is a reason why I think that is important, respect because the people that we lead are different, no two persons are the same, so we have to learn to respect the people under our command for who they are, and then in turn use the leadership mechanism we have to build them up,” Rear Admiral Naupoto said.

“This promotion will demand of you your ability to lead and how good leadership qualities will be required of you to lead those under your command.”

Force Staff Officer (SO) Information Technology (IT) Warrant Officer Class One Laitia Rika was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant (Navy); Force Staff Officer (SO) Force Development (FD) Warrant Officer Class One Tevita Rokoqiqito the rank of Captain (Army); Force Staff Officer (SO) Training and Doctrine (TRADOC) Warrant Officer Class One Parauni Soko to the rank of Captain (Army); and Force Training Group Training Warrant Officer Staff Sergeant Iferemi Tuwere was also promoted to the rank of Captain (Army).

The newly appointed Padre to serve with the Second Battalion Fiji Infantry Regiment (2FIR) under the Multinational Forces and Observers in the Sinai Desert, Reverend Viliame Tunidau, was promoted to the rank of Captain (Army). The Yaroi native of Matuku, Lau, Captain Reverend Tunidau, had previously served at the Waya Methodist Circuit in Yasawa.