122 March out with Pace Sticks

Drill for soldiers is an essential tool like a weapon in developing their personality. Prominently, it helps them in developing pride and confidence in their actions whilst instilling professionalism and team work.

On 27 April 2022, the Drill Instructors’ Course – 126 consisting of 122 Non-Commissioned Officers passed out from the military academy having successfully completed 70 day long full time course, whose pinnacle was rejoiced with grace of the Commandant of the Sri Lanka Military Academy Maj Gen WWHRRVMNDKB Niyangoda RWP RSP USP ndu psc as the Chief Guest along with Deputy Commandant, Wing Heads and other Senior Officers.

The high achievement of the NCO instructors was appreciated by adorning their chests with Drill Instructor badges by the Chief Guest together with the Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor - MTW. Afterwards, the DI students who performed outstandingly during the period of training were praised with special awards. The award presented for Theoretical Knowledge was claimed by Staff Sergeant Nishantha WAKU of SLAOC, the award for the Instructional Skills and Personal Drill by Sergeant Chandrasiri DMPK of SLA while the Pace Stick awarded for the First in Order of Merit was secured by Sergeant Ovitiyawatta NC of SLSC.

To highlight, on 26 April, all these recipients for their extraordinary performance and the other DI students for successful completion of their course received their certificates from the Commandant at the Certificate Awarding Ceremony held at the Sino Lanka Friendship Auditorium as well.

Following the proceedings of the Pass Out Parade (POP), the Commandant made his customary speech to the new Drill Instructors and emphasized the importance of the Military Discipline and their responsibility of imparting the knowledge and skills they have hard earned among the subordinates of their respective battalions or working establishments.

The ceremonial parade orchestrated by the Army Band threw the august audience a rhythmic band display for their entertainment. Meanwhile, the newly passed out Drill Instructors showcased their skills in all sorts of drills, discipline through a well-coordinated synchronized drill display to keep the spectators fully fastened with it.

The ceremonial POP of DI course -126 reached its end and all the participants were served a traditional tea table in hospitality. The Dinner Night organized at the WOs’ and Sgts’ Mess, Ella Camp assembled the new DI students and officer cadre of the Academy at the banquet hosted traditionally in gratitude of their yeomen service of grooming them to be professionally qualified Drill Instructors.