About 20 new army reserve officers concluded their training over the weekend after a five-month military programme. The training lasted between October 24 and last Sunday. The group included also 10 veterans/seniors.

The reservists, from the Armed Forces of Malta’s Emergency Volunteer Reserve Force, are trained to perform a range of roles that would allow them to relieve or reinforce the army’s regular force in an emergency.

During a week-long camp at the Pembroke Ranges in St Andrews, they put to practice the skills acquired during the numerous hours of military training received over the past few months.

They were trained to carry out standard basic military regimes such as the foot and arms drill, basic battle skills, map-reading and field craft. Their training was aimed at instilling discipline and preparing them to be tough when facing difficult situations.

Lieutenant Colonel Mario Borg visited the reservists on camp and expressed his appreciation for “the keen enthusiasm” they demonstrated throughout their training.

He praised their eagerness to serve despite major hurdles they encountered in having to juggle their full-time work commitments while training to be reservists in the interest of the country.