Joining the army 'no easy task'

The Armed Forces yesterday welcomed 91 new recruits, 23 of whom have already volunteered to take part in the EU's Rapid Reaction Force.

The recruits, aged between 18 and 23, were engaged after they successfully completed an intensive four-month course.

Speaking at the passing out parade at Luqa Barracks yesterday, Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami said no fewer than 560 individuals had applied to join the AFM for this particular intake. This showed that joining the AFM was no easy task, and this guaranteed the best people for the job.

Dr Fenech Adami said the platoon of soldiers who volunteered for service in the RRF would not be taking part in any possible wars but help and assist others in humanitarian action.

The EU was currently setting up its own force to participate only in specific missions, but not in war.

The RRF would only be able to go on missions authorised by the United Nations and would be limited to peace-making, peace-keeping, humanitarian and rescue operations.

Though Malta volunteered to participate in the RRF with a platoon of soldiers, it specified it would only take part in humanitarian and rescue work and not in peace-making and peace-keeping missions.

Dr Fenech Adami urged the new recruits to realise the important role they had to play in their country and to ensure the professional status of the army.

AFM commander Rupert Montanaro said no fewer than 50 AFM members went on specialised courses abroad in the last two years alone. This did not take into consideration the number of those platoons that regularly go on training courses to Italy.

Brig. Montanaro promised a bright future to those members who showed initiative and obtained the right qualifications.