After months of doubt and caregiving, Tabuamovi triumphs at military passing-out parade

For Baulina Kororua Tabuamovi, 21, standing proudly among the 97 graduates at the Republic of Fiji Military Forces’ (RFMF) Basic Recruits Skills Training passing-out parade today was proof that her journey had not ended when she once thought it had.

Originally from Navunikabi in Wainikoroiluva, Namosi, with maternal links to Keteira, Moala in Lau, Ms Tabuamovi believed her dreams had stopped right after secondary school.

“When I left school, I really thought that was the end for me,” she said. “Everyone around me was moving forward, and I felt like I was stuck.”

For almost six months, she stayed home caring for her grandmother. Even in those quiet, difficult days, she held on to one message.

“Every time I prayed, I told myself, ‘God has a plan and purpose for your life.’ Even when I wasn’t sure what that plan was.”

While helping at home, she kept reminding herself that better days would come.

“I always said, ‘God will give me a better opportunity.’ I just had to be patient.”

Her moment finally arrived. A month later, Ms Tabuamovi decided to take a chance and applied for the military training.

When she was accepted, she knew she had been given the opportunity she prayed for.

But the three-week training tested her strength more than she expected.

“Training was not easy,” she admitted. “Some days I wanted to give up because it was really hard.”

She pushed through with faith and determination.

“I kept telling myself, ‘If God brought me here, He will help me finish.’ That was my strength every day.”

She also remembered her grandmother’s words: “Luvequ, nothing great comes easy. Keep going.”

Today, as she marched proudly during the passing-out ceremony at the Force Training Group (FTG) grounds in Nasinu, she felt the weight of everything she had overcome.

“Form 7 was not the end for me,” Ms Tabuamovi said with a smile. “This is just the beginning. I’m ready for whatever comes next.”

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