The Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) has successfully concluded two Military Instructor (MI) courses in collaboration with the Australian Defence Force (ADF), aimed at enhancing the internal training capabilities of the RFMF. These courses took place at Queen Elizabeth Barracks (QEB) in Nabua and wrapped up on April 11, 2025, as part of the ongoing Coral Warrior training partnership between the two forces.
Nineteen Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) participated in the instructor training, which was divided into two blocks. The first block, held from April 2 to 7, focused on those involved in the Initial Employment Training (IET) in maintenance, operational support, and petroleum operations. The second block, from April 8 to 11, included a wider range of NCOs from various sectors of the Land Force Command.
Major Sirino Ropate, Commanding Officer of the RFMF Logistic Support Unit, officiated the closing ceremony, praising the participants for their dedication and recognizing the collaborative efforts of both RFMF and ADF instructors. He stated, “This program aligns with our broader goal of upskilling soldiers within their specialties and professionalizing the Logistic Battalion. The skills and mindset gained through this training are critical to developing others and improving overall unit readiness.”
The courses were conducted by a joint team led by members of the ADF’s 7th Combat Service Support Battalion and included staff from the RFMF Logistic Support Unit. Participants were acknowledged for their exceptional performance, with awards such as the Instructor’s Choice Award going to Private L. Tinai for Block One and Corporal V. Lesi for Block Two.
This achievement reflects a step forward for the RFMF in building sustainable, high-quality training programs alongside regional partners, following previous successful training initiatives like the Coral Sustainer 2025 Military Instructors Course aimed at further enhancing instructional skills and collaboration within military operations.
These efforts not only aim to elevate the RFMF’s operational readiness but also demonstrate a strong commitment to nurturing skilled military leaders who can effectively collaborate with regional allies, fostering a secure future for Fiji’s defense forces.
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