AWC DINERS' CLUB EMPOWERED JUNIOR LEADERS WITH PROFESSIONALISM TO BECOME GREAT ASSETS

On 1 June 2024, the Army War College (AWC) hosted the second trimester Diners' Club with the participation of the Commandant, Deputy Commandant, Chief Instructor, Senior Instructors, faculty members, and the permanent staff along with 116 student officers from the Senior Command Course 11, Junior Command Course 30, and Junior Staff Course 26, including two foreign officers from friendly foreign countries; Australia and Zambia.

Major General SA Kulatunge RWP RSP VSV USP psc, the Commander of Security Forces East and Colonel Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Agriculture and Livestock Regiment, accepting the invitation graced the occasion as the Guest Speaker of the Diners' Club. Major General Dinesh Udugama RWP RSP USP ndc psc, the Commandant of the Army War College, cordially welcomed him upon his arrival.

Admiring the opportunity to speak as the Diners' Club Guest Speaker, he educated the audience on the ‘Responsibilities of Tactical Level Commanders in Changing the Negative Perception of Junior Officers towards Premature leaving the Organization’ in an elegant and persuasive address. The speaker's lecture, which imparted his knowledge, experience, and competence on the subject, encouraged all the attendees.

Further, he underlined how important it is for battalions to empower their junior officers. Also, he emphasized the significance of giving them the tools they need to advance and have skill development. He came to the conclusion that young officers could be great assets to battalions if given the proper direction.

Over the tradition of the Diners' Club event, the questions and answers session appropriately helped the student officers to get their queries answered. To show gratitude for the guest speaker's intellectual contribution to the Army War College, the Commandant presented a memento to the Guest Speaker as a token of appreciation.