A farewell occasion was schedule at the RFMF band room in Queen Elizabeth Barracks by the Commanding Officer Land Force Command, Major Jeremaia Waqanisau, his Officers and men to farewell the former Land Force Command Garrison Sergeant Major, (GSM) Warrant Officer Class One (WO1) Vunibaka on September 6, 2019.
Also farewelled that day was an LFC Service Support member, Corporal Koa and an RFMF unestablished staff Mr. Ratu Joji Bakoso.
These former members of the LFC were accorded with a church service, a feast and a Fijian Traditional farewell protocol to thank them for their service. Also observed in that occasion was the signing of the handover documents by the former GSM to the current, WO1 Tubuka.
The Commanding Officer told the retired personals that LFC and RFMF was so humble and thankful for the work they have done over the thirty years of their service. “You have done a great job throughout your service and we thank you for your commitment and dedication to your duties. As we all know that there is a time when we enlisted for work in the military and there is also a time when we will retire. We all have a time to start and a time to end. Today we have farewelled you with our words of thanks, thanking you for your service in the military, but the last and not the least, we would also like to thank your wives for their support. They have done a great job in order for you to do your work to the best of your abilities”, said Major Waqanisau.
WO1 Tubuka also received a word of encouragement from the CO welcoming him on his new post and told him that he will continue the work of the GSM from where WO1 Vunibaka has left. “Congratulation to your new post’’, The CO concluded.
Former GSM thanked the RFMF for the good things that he has achieved since his service and added that he has gain a lot in the military. The Warrant Officer said that he got contracted again for another three years and it ends when he reached his fifty-eight years. The Warrant Officer stated that throughout his service he has met a good wife, three children and a house to stay. All his children are married and have their own children’s too. He thanked the Commander RFMF, the Land Force Commander and members of RFMF for what he has gained in his past years of service. Warrant Officer Class one Vunibaka hails from Qalikarua in the island of Matuku.
Corporal Josateki W. Qiokata said that he spend thirty-five years of his service into the military, the corporal stated that he enlisted into the army in 1982 when he was 19 years old. He added that in the military he has managed to find a good wife, children, a house, a car and even some places around the world that some people haven’t reached. “I would like to thank the military for what I have achieved throughout my years of career”, the Corporal stated
Mr. Ratu Joji Bakoso ‘also known in the military as Tuba’ stated that he spends thirty years as landscaper of the Land Force Command. Tuba was enlisted into the QEB Service Support when he was in his early twenties but left the camp after he has reached 55. Mr. Tuba said that he would like to thank the military for allowing him to work and further added that in all his years with the military he has managed to purchase a property. Mr. Tuba stated that in the piece of land he bought has managed him to build a new wooden house that is about to complete. Tuba hails from Natauloa village in the island of Nairai in Lomaiviti.
