School dropout Michael enjoys view at the top

DROPPING out of the formal education system did not stop soldier Michael Percy Marai from rising up the ranks to what he is today – a Lieutenant-Colonel with the Defence Force.
Michael, 51, is the eldest and only boy in a family of four born to Marai Pongi from Angoram in East Sepik and Agnes Pope Pesam Maria Marai from Nipa in Southern Highlands.
Michael, often referred to as “General Trekker” by his comrades, was born on August 7, 1969 in Tari, Hela when his dad was a policeman there.
The family therefore had to move to wherever his dad was posted, including Kagua, Mendi, Nipa in Southern Highlands, Sirunki in Enga, and Chuave in the Chimbu. His dad passed away in 1976 when Michael was seven.
His mother took him and his three sisters back to her village in Nipa and raised them there with the support of her family members.
Michael wanted to become a defence force pilot but he shelved that when he dropped out of Grade 10 at the Nipa Provincial High School in 1985. The next best thing was to join the military and see how he would go from there.
In 1986, he moved to Port Moresby and ended up Erima where her cousin sister and husband lived.
He joined the military on July 29, 1986 and underwent a six-month training at Goldie River. His first posting was to the Signals Squadron.
He also decided in 1988 to upgrade his Grade 10 marks through the College of Distance Education. In 1989, he enrolled at the Adult Matriculation Centre at the University of PNG for grades 11 and 12. But that had to be sidelined for a while when he was deployed to Bougainville for the crisis. He continued his studies after six months of serving in Bougainville.
He also undertook basic flight training with the South Pacific Aero Club and clocked 17 hours of flying time. He still has a student pilot license.
He was accepted to undergo army pilot training. He completed all the processes and passed all the tests including the PNG Defence Force pilot psychological test, medical test and the Royal Australian Air Force aptitude test.

“ Don’t sit back, laze around, expecting miracles to happen. Be creative, innovative and grab any opportunity that comes your way.”

He was picked to take up pilot training in Australia but his mother convinced him to join the land force here instead.
“My mother made the decision for me at the time and I had no choice. Even if I rejected her plea, she was going to talk to the Defence Force hierarchy.”
Michael undertook a six-month Officer Cadet training in the PNG Defence Academy in Lae. He graduated in July 1993.
He was then selected to undergo a 18-month training at Australia’s Royal Military College in Duntroon. He graduated with the rank of Second Lieutenant on Dec 13, 1994.
In 1998, he enrolled at UPNG to pursue a Bachelor in Political Science degree course. He graduated in March 2001.
While at university in 1998, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. In 2002, he became a Captain. In 2006, he reached the rank of Major.
From August 2018 to August 2019, Major Marai attended the Army Command and Staff College in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, China. While there, he saw an opportunity to enrol for a two-year Master degree programme in Military Science. He is still doing research work and hopes to graduate this year.
Also after returning from China last year, he wanted to resign from the military to pursue other interests. But he changed his mind when he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.

He still wants pursue further academic goals.
“Work commitments may not allow me for full time study. Apart from the Masters in Military Science degree, I am also doing online a Masters of Arts (MA) degree in International Relations with Atlantic International University in USA.
Outside the military uniform, Michael is a musician, a rugby league coach, manager, trainer and administrator.
It had been a long journey for the boy who dropped out of Grade 10 at Nipa Secondary 35 years ago.
His advice to others who may find themselves in a similar situation is to never give up.
“Don’t sit back, laze around, expecting miracles to happen. Be creative, innovative and grab any opportunity that comes your way. Don’t give up hope. Continue to push through until your dream is fulfilled. God Almighty is the only hope if you are exhausted.”