NAY PYI TAW February 21
Chairman of the State Administration Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing met with officer trainees of Tatmadaw (Army) Combat Forces School (Bahtoo) of Eastern Command at Aung San Hall of the school this afternoon.
Also present at the meeting were Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Admiral Htein Win, Com-mander-in-Chief (Air) General Tun Aung, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, commanders of Eastern Command, Eastern Central Command and Triangle Region Command, officials from Bahtoo station, instructors and officer trainees from Tatmadaw (Army) Combat Forces School (Bahtoo).
Political changes of the State in successive eras and serving national cause of the Tatmadaw Speaking at the meeting, the Senior General delivered a speech. He explained political changes of the State, constantly serving non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty by the Tatmadaw in successive eras to ensure security measures and perpetuity of sovereignty of the State due to geographical conditions, leadership of the Tatmadaw to pave the multiparty democracy the entire people aspire to, realization of the multiparty democracy from 2011, dutifully serving of the Tatmadaw in two terms of democratic governments with necessary advice, voting frauds in the 2020 multiparty democratic general election, attempts of grasping the State power by convening Hluttaw without solving the voting frauds, declaration of the State of Emergency for the country and serving State responsibilities of the State by the Tatmadaw in accordance with the Constitution (2008).
Holding a free and fair and prestigious election
The Senior General continued that the State Administration Council is currently preparing the necessary steps, including conducting a population and household registration survey, to facilitate the ultimate goal of holding a free, fair multiparty democracy general election.
Since the government assumed responsibility due to voting frauds, it is essential that the government must organize a free, fair and credible multiparty democracy general election, and the government is strivingto ensure this. To successfully organize a multiparty democratic general election, it is necessary to achieve greater national security, stability, and peace. Thus, the government is actively working on security, peace and stability efforts.
All must dutifully serve assigned duties with good morale
Regarding the Tatmadaw, Tatmadaw members have joined the Tatmadaw with noble spirits, without any external pressure or coercion, to fulfill the nation’s defence and security duties. They must continue to uphold these fundamental virtuous attitudes and proudly carry out the duties assigned by the State and the Tatmadaw. In performing these duties, they should be mindful and focused, ensuring that they are mentally and physically strong, with full energy, courage, and willpower to accomplish their responsibilities. Officer trainees have to study military tactics and basic principles in such training programmes so that they can truly understand and apply them effectively in real combat situations. With strong determination and mental resilience, tasks can be
accomplished with full success. Each individual should maintain strong determination and confidence, ensuring that they carry out national defence duties with commitment and conviction. Each officer trainee will have personal goals, and it is essential to pursue these goals with unyielding determination and perseverance to ensure success. In this era of technological advancement, it is crucial to continuously update knowledge of emerging technologies and evolving military strategies. It is necessary to engage in ongoing learning and collaboration to stay informed. With a resilient mindset, one should remain focused and dedicated to achieving personal and collective objectives.
Ensuring good leadership
Regarding leadership, it is essential to develop 16 key leadership traits and continuously reflect on oneself to strive toward becoming an effective leader. Effective leadership can only be achieved through careful thought and knowledge. It is also crucial to think critically and lead effectively, ensuring the success of the tasks and activities within the organization being led. Given that the responsibilities of leaders are extensive, they must operate with discipline and continuously learn. Leaders must guide and lead their team or subordinates toward an improved social and economic life, ensuring they follow the right path. To do so, it is necessary for leaders to constantly read and study the required knowledge to stay informed. In addition, it is important to encourage the growth of knowledge and skills through regular reading and learning. Only with the proper knowledge and skills will leaders be able to perform their tasks effectively, and may their leadership value be strengthened through this knowledge and expertise.
Training measures
The components of military building, such as training, administration, morale-building, and mindset, are all interconnected. Regarding training, carrying out the tasks and responsibilities required on a daily basis with diligence is essentially part of the training process. Each soldier must correctly apply the fundamental military skills taught to them, as well as handle their weapons and tools effectively and efficiently. It is essential that training activities continue without interruption in order to maintain and enhance the soldiers’ abilities. Regular, weekly, and monthly physical fitness exercises should be conducted according to individual and team requirements, and must be managed effectively to ensure they are done properly.
In terms of training, a good soldier must continuously improve themselves and their unit by living and practicing in a disciplined and skilled manner, thereby enhancing their overall quality.
Administration
It is necessary to have a fair administrative system. If each soldier maintains proper discipline and can effectively carry out supporting tasks for logistic measures, the morale and mental strength will also improve. Therefore, it is important to prioritize and adhere to good administrative practices. Supervisors should maintain good relationships and treat their subordinates, soldiers, with a sense of leadership and care, like that of a parent, and manage with a genuine, compassionate spirit. By understanding the personality of each soldier and assigning them to the appropriate roles based on their character, it will be possible to lead and successfully manage tasks.
Welfare
Regarding welfare, it was stated that the Tatmadaw has been providing support to ensure welfare, and individuals can also contribute to their own welfare by living with discipline and selfcontrol. The Tatmadaw has already granted appropriate rights and privileges according to the ranks of all soldiers, and those in command and admi-nistrative roles must ensure that all soldiers receive what they are rightfully entitled tofairly, correctly, and fully. They are also required to address the personal difficulties and challenges faced by soldiers to the best of their ability. Soldiers, on an individual level, are urged to exercise self-awareness and restraint by avoiding excessive drinking, entertainment, and consumption that could harm their well-being. By balancing their income and expenses, individuals can create their own welfare. It was further explained that the purpose of successfully implementing military-owned and small-scale farming and livestock projects is not primarily for profit, but to ensure that all Tatmadaw family mem-bers have access to meat, fish, various eggs, and vegetables at affordable prices and in sufficient quantities. Therefore, efforts should be made to successfully carry out farming and livestock activities suited to local conditions, thereby enhancing the welfare of officers, soldiers, and their families.
Morale
It was emphasized that sold-iers and officers need to cultivate strong and positive morale, which should be fostered thro-ugh good leadership. Only when leaders at all levels exhibit strong morale and discipline can individual soldiers develop the same qualities, leading to units with excellent combat capability and strength. Understanding the basic mindset and attitudes of each soldier is essential to assign them to the right roles and responsibilities, while also addressing their weak-nesses and needs to improve them. Unit commanders, who closely supervise soldiers, must carefully guide and correct them to ensure disciplined living, movement, and consumption, while ensuring that daily tasks and duties are carried out accurately and properly. During today’s meeting, the Senior General said he shared experiences from his life as a soldier, his service, and the knowledge gained through study and observation in a detailed discussion.
It was expressed with confidence that the trainee officers attending the meeting would receive strong support throughout their careers.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Senior General and party warmly greeted the trainee officers.
Additionally, on the afternoon of February 20, at the meeting hall of the Army Combat Training School (Bahtoo), the Eastern Command Commander briefed the Senior General on the Eastern Command’s administrative, military, and logistical operations. He also reported on security, territorial control, and rule of law within the command’s jurisdiction, as well as the status of education, healthcare, and welfare initiatives.
The Commandant of the Tatmadaw (Army) Combat Forces School (Bahtoo). Army Combat Training School (Bahtoo) provided updates on training operations, the progress of military-owned and small-scale farming and livestock projects, and welfare efforts.
In response to the briefings, the Senior General instructed that local units must collaborate with civilian administrative bodies on security matters. He emphasized that security operations should be conducted with awareness and vigilance, while taking special care not to harm the interests of the region and its people. Security, he noted, is an individual responsibility, while defence requires longterm planning, foresight, and coordination by those in supervisory roles. He urged all personnel to carry out security and defence duties in their assigned regions with a broad perspective to safeguard national interests and prevent any harm. Regarding narcotics, he highlighted the need to decisively address production, storage, transportation, and distribution, urging thorough efforts to uncover and suppress these networks. He stressed that authorities in relevant regions must prioritize preventing drug production in Shan State. Noting that terrorists fund their activities through drug production, he called for firm and resolute action against narcotics-related issues. Additional guidance and instructions were also provided as needed.
Afterward, the Senior General and party toured the Bahtoo Station area by vehicle, inspecting the trainee swimming pool and the maintenance of the Bahtoo spring.
