Nine (9) course participants graduated from the 1/19 Basic Sniper/ Marksman course on the 27th of November 2019 at the Third Battalion Fiji Infantry Regiment (3FIR) Headquarters at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Nabua. Present to officiate the course graduation was the Land Force Command (LFC) Chief of Staff (COS) Lieutenant-Colonel (Lt-Col) Laisani Kinikini.
Speaking to the participants, Lt-Col Kinikini mentioned that the sniper/marksman capability does not only apply to military operations, but contributes in fulfilling the RFMF’s constitutional role in Fiji.
“Sniper/marksman capability is not only about precision targeting, but also about force protection as well as Intelligence, Surveillance and Recon (ISR) tasks,” Lt-Col Kini said
“It also builds Fiji’s capability for counter terrorist’s roles that is crucial in supporting our tourism industry and foremost support our law enforcement operations in the protection of all Fijians.” Lt-Col Kinikini continued.
Lt-Col Kinikini also mentioned that the capability that each participant has obtained must continue to develop by training the ability to increase the effectiveness and readiness as individual snipers.
In addition to this, with the Commander’s intent to involve servicewomen as part of the RFMF’s gender equality concept, a female also graduated at the 3FIR headquarters.
Pte Seruwaia Kovakova from the 3FIR stated that the course was very tough, but she managed to complete it with the help of her male comrades who were always offering moral support. She also acknowledged the training team for the knowledge and skills learnt and hopes to utilize what she has learnt in various tasking the RFMF offers to her.
The course started with 17 personnel from different units in the RFMF and completed with 9. It has also been 10 years since the last Basic Sniper course was conducted in the RFMF.
