At 0700 sharp, the new recruits walked through the Luqa Barracks gates for their first time as members of the AFM: a sight which will last for the next eighteen weeks of their training. This is the second intake for the year 2016, following last August’s passing out parade, where seventy-two recruits successfully completed their initial training. This new intake consists of sixty-eight recruits, five of which are females. Fourteen recruits are from Gozo.

The Training School team within the 4 Regiment will, over the coming weeks, test the recruits’ strength of character, team qualities, leadership, motivation, and determination. All recruits will also be required to adhere to strict rules of hygiene and order-of-dress. 

They will be extensively trained in weapons-handling skills, marksmanship, ceremonial drill, first aid, map reading and various other subjects. Military law, international humanitarian law, military ethos, radio voice procedure and various other life skills will also be taught.

Once the recruits achieve the required standards, they will be called on to perform the formal passing-out parade, which will crown their transition from civilian to soldier. They will later on be posted to the various units of the AFM according to the exigencies of the service, whether on land, sea or in the air. 

Photos: AFM