“Your course targets a key objective that I tell my Officers and that is small unit leadership.” These were the words articulated by the Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (CRFMF) Rear-Admiral (RADM) Viliame Naupoto while delivering his speech to the 2/19 Junior Non-Commissioned Officers Course participants who had graduated at the Force Training Group (FTG) this morning (20th December 2019).
The small unit leaders that RADM Naupoto mentioned during the speech included Section Commanders, Platoon Sergeants and Platoon Commanders. He stated that the reason for establishing the particular objective was to assist leaders in all areas of their job.
“Small unit leadership targets you at the level of section commanders. This objective will help you in all aspects of your job not only on tactics but also leadership, because when small unit leadership works well, everything above it works well also. It is rare to see situations where small unit leadership is not functioning, and you see that the top is functioning,” RADM Naupoto said.
RADM Naupoto then mentioned that inspiring their subordinates in the right way also played a crucial role in leadership.
“In my last parade I mentioned the word Inspiration, this word demands that we watch our character, watch the words that we say and we do what is expected to be done and nothing else. True leadership is 100 percent influenced through inspiration. I will give you a few questions to ask yourself…these are questions that target the objective of small unit leadership. Questions like ‘What does it take to get the job done?’ and ‘How do I get those under me to do what I say?” RADM Naupoto added.
The 2/19 Junior Non-Commissioned Course was conducted for 10 weeks which was aimed at developing the knowledge, skills and qualities required of a junior leader so that he or she is capable of demonstrating competency in the appointment of second-in-command in a section and also administrating the sections welfare when out in the field and within camp boundaries.
In addition to this, a few awards were given at the event which included:
The Top Student Award: 33841 Private Tevita Vosabeci (Directorate Peace Support Operations)
Operations Award: 32278 Private Semiti Guvaki (Force Training Group)
Leadership Award: W31874 Lance Corporal Frances Tuivuna (Logistics Support Unit)
Training Award: 31412 Lance Corporal Neumi Radravu (Third Fiji Infantry Regiment)
Administration Award: 31871 Corporal Inosi Vunitabua (Logistic Support Unit)
