Speech delivered by State Security and Peace Commission Chairman Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing at Passing Out Parade of 67th Intake of Defence Services Academy
Comrades,
Today marks the triumphant culmination
of the 67th
Intake of the Defence Services Academy and serves as the Induction
Day, when comrades pass through the ceremonial arch to assume their positions
as junior leaders in the designated units and corps of the Defence Services –
Army, Navy, and Air. This solemn occasion signifies both their elevation in
duty and honour, and the successful completion of their integrated programme of
academic studies and military tactics at their revered alma mater, the Defence
Services Academy. Likewise, it is my honour to affirm that this day stands as a
defining milestone for our comrades, imbued with profound significance and
heralding a renewed vigour and enduring purpose for our Nation and the
Tatmadaw.
Comrades,
The alma mater, the Defence Services
Academy, has long cultivated comrades into exemplary junior leaders, guided by
the steadfast aspiration ‘To produce well-rounded and calibred officers for the
Defence Services.’ I would like to emphasise that, through tireless dedication,
these comrades, shaped by the Academy and propelled by a relentless pursuit of
excellence, are called to exemplify the enduring principles of integrity and
the noble ethos of ‘Honour, Valour, Wisdom,’ standing ever poised to discharge
their duties with resolute determination within their assigned units.
Comrades,
It is imperative that comrades entrusted
with the three principal duties be well-versed in the noble art of leadership.
In this noble pursuit, comrades must exert themselves with steadfast purpose,
guided by the sixteen traits of leadership; for leadership is not an inborn
gift, but a discipline attained through one’s own learning, conduct, and
perseverance. Above all, comrades must cultivate firm and disciplined organisational
skill within their respective spheres, for a leader must be able to marshal
both the morale and the capabilities of his subordinates, and thereby fulfil
the missions entrusted to him with honour and success.
Through this approach, it has become
possible to discern the attitude, abilities, strengths, and shortcomings of
each individual, and to strive with concerted effort to ensure the right man in
the right place, while exercising justice and prudence, and showing no
partiality toward any subordinate. Moreover, the virtues and integrity required
to embody righteous leadership over one’s subordinates must be steadfastly
cultivated. It is of paramount importance that great success be achieved in the
execution of every task, guided by the principles of righteousness instilled
within those of steadfast and honest mind. Otherwise, tasks undertaken lacking
integrity and discernment will be reprehensible, bringing disrepute and falling
short of the high standards expected of true leadership. Likewise, I would
like to urge that comrades embrace full responsibility for the Nation, the
Tatmadaw, their units and corps, and their fellow companions, conducting
themselves with honesty and striving to become exemplary leaders, even in the
face of trials and dilemmas.
Comrades,
The rise and fall of a nation are
inextricably bound to the diligence and discipline of its citizens, who must
stand steadfast within its fold. Likewise, the prosperity and decline of an
organisation rest upon the diligence and steadfast adherence to regulations
demonstrated by its members. The enduring steadfastness of our Tatmadaw stands
as a living testament to the discipline, loyalty, and devotion of its service
members, carried faithfully across generations. Therefore, comrades entrusted
with the inheritance and preservation of the honoured traditions of our
Tatmadaw are called to uphold the highest standards of discipline in duty,
loyalty, and integrity.
Discipline can be broadly categorized
into two types: prescriptive discipline and prohibitive discipline.
Prescriptive discipline lays down the rules that require comrades to act in a
manner that is fitting, proper, and consonant with their duty. Prohibitive
discipline, in turn, sets the rules that strictly forbid any action deemed
inappropriate, unbefitting, or contrary to the standards of the service. In
particular, the Sixty Codes of Conduct embodied within our Tatmadaw stand as
prescriptive disciplines that uphold conduct befitting the highest soldierly
bearing. These codes must be observed with steadfast devotion and constancy,
held firm as a Longyi bound at the waist. Conversely, the articles concerning
the 41 types of offences set forth in the Tatmadaw Act constitute prohibitive
disciplines, and comrades must exercise utmost care to avoid committing them.
Furthermore, comrades, as members of the Tatmadaw, you must honour and uphold
all field and workplace regulations set forth by the Tatmadaw. I also like to
emphasise the utmost importance of respecting and abiding by the civil laws and
regulations of our Nation.
Comrades,
Training plays a pivotal role within the
Tatmadaw’s threefold operational process: Study, Practise, Comply. Moreover,
it is accorded primacy, expressly designated as the first pillar of the Tatmadaw’s
Three Readiness and the foremost of the four principal tasks of unit building.
Every regulated duty performed each day by comrades forms a living cycle of
continual training. Therefore, the supreme charge of our Tatmadaw, the duty
from which all others flow, is training. Comrades shall undertake continuous
training, both to sharpen their own quality and capability and to elevate the
proficiency and effectiveness of the troops under their command and charge.
To fulfil the duties entrusted to you in
their entirety, optimal health and physical resilience are indispensable. You
must perform the prescribed daily fitness exercises with exactness and
consistency. I urge you to refrain entirely from alcohol, tobacco, and betel
quid, for such vices severely undermine the strength and readiness required of
every soldier.
Comrades,
Technological leaps, coupled with
state-of-the-art military weaponry and ordnance in the contemporary era, have
fundamentally transformed military affairs, allowing operations to transcend
traditional geographical limitations. The battlefield has evolved from one once
dominated by manpower, conventional weaponry, and traditional military tactics
to a theatre defined by advanced high-tech armaments, including drones.
Furthermore, operational domains have expanded significantly to encompass
Artificial Intelligence, Cyber, Space, and Information Warfare. In essence, air
supremacy, mastery of electronic technologies, the modernity
and quality of ordnance, and operational precision now constitute the
principal factors determining victory or defeat in war. To comprehend, master,
and skillfully employ the evolving military tactics and modern weaponry driven
by technological advancement, extensive knowledge and professional competence
are indispensable. Recognising that elevating educational standards is
quintessential to building a Standard Army, the Tatmadaw resolutely
prioritises initiatives designed to advance the education and training of all officers
and soldiers.
On the other hand, comrades must
continually endeavour to better themselves by integrating the expertise they
have acquired with practical application in their daily duties. It is
imperative to engage with literature that imparts knowledge, thereby
cultivating wisdom and broadening the intellect. Moreover, you are called upon
to study and reflect upon works of intellectual and philosophical merit, which
serve to sharpen your discernment of right and wrong, cause and effect. As expertise
broadens a person’s competence, and knowledge renders a person virtuous, I urge
you to pursue excellence in both realms, so that you may grow into competent
and virtuous soldiers who are at once both capable and morally upright.
Comrades,
The primary duty of our Tatmadaw is the
Defence of the Nation. To discharge this responsibility fully, comrades must
be endowed with three indispensable capabilities: Military Capability,
Administrative Capability, and Organizational Capability. Only by mastering
these three pillars can you execute the orders and duties assigned to you with
complete proficiency. These capabilities are mutually reinforcing: as
administrative capability strengthens, military capability is enhanced, and
organisational capability correspondingly grows. Therefore, building upon the
academic studies and military tactics instilled at the Defence Services
Academy, I urge you, comrades, to strive to become exemplary officers, fully
equipped with these three essential capabilities.
Comrades,
In light of the blatant voting
irregularities perpetrated during the 2020 General Election, the Tatmadaw was
compelled to assume the responsibilities of national political governance.
During this period, the opposition groups, NUG and CRPH, engaged in acts of
subversion, portraying the Tatmadaw as undermining democracy and seeking to
mislead the youth, enticing them towards armed terrorism through false hopes
and expectations. This armed terrorism has resulted in a grievous loss of human
resources for the Union we are striving to build. It is imperative to recognise
that attempts to resolve issues through armed means have yielded no positive
outcomes, even over the course of more than seventy years. Moreover, it is
necessary to confront the reality that the regression of democracy stems from
the armed path itself. If the ultimate objective remains the construction of a
Union founded upon democracy and a federal system, the Nation has already laid
the groundwork for inviting all armed opposition groups, including the PDFs, to
operate within the legal framework, with the paramount aim of safeguarding the
interests of the Union.
On the other hand, certain ethnic armed
groups that had signed the NCA, by disregarding the facts of the political
process, have violated their commitments and strayed from the path of peace.
In light of the incidents and challenges encountered in the pursuit of peace,
the Tatmadaw has clearly and precisely articulated the Six Peace Principles. As
genuine peace can only be attained through dialogue and negotiation, it is
imperative that, when peace initiatives are undertaken, we focus on what must
be done rather than merely expressing personal desires, and work
collaboratively to achieve what is possible in unity and harmony. I wish to
underscore that only by building a practical, successful, and sustainable peace
can we effectively advance the nation’s development and safeguard the
well-being of our people.
Comrades,
Article 339 of the 2008 Constitution
stipulates that the Defence Services shall lead in safeguarding the Union
against all internal and external dangers. The defence objective of our Nation
further asserts: ‘To strive to establish a modern People’s Defence System,
involving the entire population, based upon internal forces, and sovereign and
impervious to external influence in the defence and security of the State.’ In
view of the contemporary geopolitical landscape and international circumstances,
the defence, security, and sovereignty of small nations, including our own, can
remain stable and resilient only when founded upon forces that encompass the
full participation of the people. I solemnly emphasise that, as our national
defence strategy is founded upon the People’s Militia System, which rests upon
the participation of all citizens, any threat that imperils or infringes upon
the sovereignty of the Nation must be confronted, resisted, and extinguished
through the unified strength of the entire populace, with the Tatmadaw as the
central pivot. This is not merely a policy but an inherent and historic duty
entrusted to every citizen.
Comrades,
In the coming days, a multiparty
democratic general election will be held. In preparation, new laws and
regulations governing the registration of political parties have been amended
and enacted to ensure fair and equitable participation. Furthermore,
election-related information is being disseminated by the State in a timely and
transparent manner.
In the forthcoming election, all
eligible citizens, except those legally disqualified, are called upon to
exercise their right to vote freely. The candidates we choose must be devoted
to the service of the nation, steadfast in upholding and safeguarding our three
main national causes, and committed to the advancement of our Nation. I wish to
impart that, in accordance with the principles of a multi-party democracy, all
political parties and Hluttaw candidates are to engage in fair and honourable
competition throughout the electoral process.
While the State Government is exerting
concerted efforts on every front to ensure that the 2025 multi-party
democratic general election is conducted freely, openly, fairly, and with the
utmost dignity, it must be underscored that certain individuals and
organisations opposing the State are seeking, through various subversive means,
to impede this national agenda. As the emergence of a government elected by the
sovereign will of the people would significantly weaken the capacity of these
terrorist elements to sustain their unlawful and destructive acts, they are
intensifying their attempts to disrupt the electoral process. Therefore, I call
upon you, my comrades, to stand in steadfast collaboration with the people and
to execute your duties in your respective sectors with utmost vigilance and
unbreakable unity, securing the successful conduct of the election by pre-empting
and crushing the disruptive acts of those intent on undermining it.
Comrades,
In conclusion, I would like to reiterate
the following points:
- To endeavour to become individuals
worthy of ‘Honour, Valour, and Wisdom,’ while faithfully discharging the duties
entrusted to you in your designated units.
- To perform your duties with honesty
and integrity, and to strive to become exemplary leaders who stand firm and
remain steadfast in the face of all difficulties and challenges.
- To live by, and endeavour to become,
individuals who respect and uphold rules and laws, embracing the principle:
‘Discipline Begets Safety’, and
- To urge all to stand united in ensuring
that the peoples of every ethnic nationality fully comprehend the genuine
endeavours of the Tatmadaw in safeguarding internal stability and fostering
lasting serenity.
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