Johann Cachia from Mosta recently won the ‘Top Student’ award during the Junior Commanders Leadership Course (JCLC) at the Vyskov Military Training Academy in the Czech Republic.
Mr Cachia serves in the Armed Forces of Malta as a lance bombardier with 1st Regiment’s ‘C’ (Special Duties) Company.
He attended this course on the invitation of the British High Commision in Malta. The course is run by the British Army Military Advisory and Training Team for Central and Eastern Europe. It aims to develop the command and leadership skills of junior commanders and non-commissioned officers.
Students from 13 other countries also attended this course, namely from the Ukraine, Georgia, the Czech Republic, Serbia, Slovakia, Bosnia, Armenia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Uzbekistan, Moldova, Algeria and Poland.
The JCLC is a four-week course which practices command and leadership using the medium of infantry patrolling. A variety of techniques, tactics and procedures applicable to Peace Support operations (PSOs) are taught and practiced as part of the syllabus.
It is primarily for Junior Commanders, especially those who may deploy on PSO missions. The emphasis is on training rather than testing, although the course also contains assessments to confirm students have grasped the knowledge and skills required.