Recruitment questioned

The National Main Stories

THE Defence Force has dismissed the 119 recruits it recently enlisted because of the suspect recruitment process used, according to force commander Maj-Gen Gilbert Toropo.
He said the 119 had not been properly selected and screened, and all the officers involved in the recruitment would be dealt with internally under the code of military discipline.
“The PNGDF has a well-established recruitment and selection criteria and no staff (should) get it wrong,” he said.
“When I learned about the compromise in the recruitment (of the 119), I immediately issued the terms of reference for the investigation (which has now been) completed.”
Maj-Gen Toropo said it was revealed that the 119 recruits had not gone through the proper selection and screening process and had to be sent back home.
“(Officers who) compromised the recruitment process will be dealt with under the code of military discipline.”
“The (defence force) has its chain of command and service personnel have delegated responsibilities of the commanders.
“In this instance, the recruitment staff are delegated responsibility through the Chief of Personnel to conduct the recruiting.”
He said he had no influence over the recruitment process.
Maj-Gen Toropo said he had served in the military for many years and “it is my duty and interest to see that the force is professionally commanded to support the government of the day and the people to the best of my ability”.
He said the people and the Government should feel safe and comfortable in the performance of the Defence Force.

19 comments

  • You as commander should know better. Your media comments are shallow. It does not hold any water. This has been an on going problem and came to light when people complain though the social media.

    • The issue of Mal selection and recruitment process is not a new issue. It has been an ongoing matter and of course deemed as pandemic and systematic. There is absolute increase in high level corruption such as bribery,
      social prejudice, nepotism, and discrimination within the pngdf recruitment system. It’s been going on under the carpet quite a while now. I thank the God of Truth that such corrupt and evil practise has been exposed to put those crooks into spotlight. Those responsible must be investigated, discharged, and terminated from service. Secondly, there should be a major reshuffle within the recruitment office from the highest command down to the lowest command to totally eradicate such corruption that had disadvantaged the lives of so many innocent people who have been unfairly processed.

  • OK now,Mr.Toropo you try to wash your hands and become innocent in the eyes of PNG people,just because of a recent incident involving death of one of our senior ploice officer.Where were you when the recruitment of those illed disaplined soldiers of your has taken place???Just now you dismissed the 119 new recruits and said you will go through proper process and screening to recruit the right capable ones,shame on you Mr.Toropo????please defence minister investigate and dig out the evil root of recruitment process being set by Mr.Toropo and his team to eradicate such incident repeating again please…over to you defence minister.

  • This has been going on for some donkey years. Bribery is always the main catalyst in most of the recruitment processes and selections. Almost all of the officers involved in the recruitment exercises have one way or the other benefited from this evil act for so long.
    There must be a fair selection of individuals, and all the 22 Provinces must be well represented.
    Stop Provincialism or Regionalism.
    This is Papua New Guinea Defense Force..!!

  • Just wasting tax money. Someone must be held responsible for this this poor recruitment and be dismissed from such organization. Don’t just waste time. Time is a non renewable resource.

  • I applied to the Defense Force three times after completing my grade 12 in 2017. The first time was at Vanimo right after my grade 12 graduation. My marks was good compared to the other boys. I was surprised that I was told I failed the psychology test. Many of the other boys made it through. I later found out that they were all sons of soldiers who we went together in the same secondary school in Wewak. There father was there with them and passed them at every point of interview processes. I believe from there on that PNGDF Recruitmet was a compromise recruitment exercise. After my last try in 2019 in POM. I gave up the whole idea. I am now a university student.

  • PNGDF late bus, nau tasol yupla kirap lo silip. The best soldiers were from the 70s & 80s and few from the 90s. during 90s the recruitment process was seen as corrupt.

  • you should have done it long time ago, the practice of wantok system in recruitment for DF and police offical is very obvious. may you are the victims to that.

  • recruitment officer should nottake any dirty money,

    in 2012 I was recruited, with good GPA, score B inEnglish B in physic, A in Chemistry B in Maths A
    Transcript attached with my application,. With good health, I even passed all requirements, BUT was not accepted to join Military. right in my eyes watching dirty money flow hand to hand daylight at murray barracks. where is the truth. honesty and justice

  • I don’t believe any allegations of malpractice or corruptions until it is publicly denied through media.
    In that case the Commander’s response was unacceptable. It was brought to light some years back the region/province of recruitment. Southern Highlands being the highest number recruited while the Momase (Lae, Madang, Sepiks) and New Guinea Islands were the lowest.

  • Result of recruited all grade 10-12 drop out in the team. Try to open broad mind, whoever qualified for suitable candidate can be consider at most time. Rather than brow-berry for the sack of a day without further analyzed the future for the country.

  • Commander, you look so stupid. What you did does not make any sense to us the people of this country. Are you educated and know your job or you just take up your position recently? Where were you as soon as you took up your position? You talked as if you are a dumbest fool. same on you.

  • It is common Knowledge that our esteem PNGDF is now a familiy affair. Only sons and daughters of current and former Soldiers children, relos and who have connections end up in the DF these days, although they may NOT meet the entry requirement. It is pathetic and shameful. The whole recruitment process needed to be overhauled.

  • That’s sad for 119 candidates, you should consider how much they have spent? Your recruitment officers are causing this insane. Those 119 are innocent, PNGDF should repatriate them back respectively. How can you turn the table to your country men?

  • The bottom line is every body must meet the minimum selection criteria regardless of family ties, tribal ties, regional ties, provincial ties ect…… After selection I hope those selected are drilled and schooled by experts in “behavioral psychology”. This should be done in all three discipline forces of DF,CS & Police. “Come On Our Training Academies”, lets think smart to end this rot within our forces. Otherwise these will continue for kingdom come. Its not all about “werim uniform na holim gun”, its about our behaviour also and how we influence others…..

  • My son was recruited in 2017 and pass all the necessary requirements to enlisted for the PNGDF training but wait to this day while the others was go through back door deals time to clean the mess or the practice will continue..over to you…Toropo.

  • PNG Defenc Force is not the case one has to blame on nor the soldiers who represent the force. In any country the key function army is needed in establishing strong political and government formation. Ours was the result of political indecision that did away with the military prowess, governance, law and order, internal security and the force. The current is not the national force as is required in the military world and resurrecting this vital arm of national identity and strong security base is eminent to the good of the country. Reinstate, reenforce and revive the country’s army now. The country need the military might and power.

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