Army targets energetic soldiers

 THE Defence Force is boosting its infantry units with young, energetic soldiers, according to First Royal Pacific Island Regiment commanding officer Lieutenant-Colonel Edison Napyo. 

He said during the inauguration of 74 soldiers into the regiment at Taurama Barracks yesterday that disbanded and unmanned companies were being revived. 

“We have to build up our infantry companies with young, energetic soldiers and we have to achieve it by 2017,” Napyo said. 

The soldiers went through three months of basic training at the Goldie Training Depot, and 10 weeks of initial employment training at Taurama. 

“After being admitted into the companies, they will be posted to the border posts for operations,” Napyo said. 

They were trained by army officers from the Australian Defence Force.