₦airaland Forum

I am sure that the police and soldiers included members of different religions. I can't imagine myself shooting at a member of my religion for no just cause even if ordered. It is disturbing to note that the number of those killed by the security forces are mainly of a particular ethnic tribe and religion. It raises many questions about such people no matter how much one may wish to keep mum for the sake of peace - even if an uneasy one.

We may be cynical but should we ever fall into the hands of these evil men (God forbid), we would earnestly pray to be rescued by these same 'incompetent' SWAT and rescue teams. The Nig. Army Sch. of Infantry in Jaji offers both the Basic and Advanced Sniper Courses. These are not even included among its Special Warfare Courses such as Airborne, Tracker, Amphibious and Counter-terrorist. Moreover snipers are not needed in large numbers. A sniper properly positioned and camouflaged can considerably delay the advance of a section (10 men). In Liberia, President Johnson-Sirleaf is been guarded only by Nigerian troops out of the almost 50 contingents in UNMIL. Since she opted for this arrangement, it shows her opinion on the capability of Nigerian troops inspite of her personal reservations about some of our attitudes. If Nigeria is messed up, that means Nigerians - you and I - collectively made her so, either by commision or omission. We should rather be happy for the woman after the travails she's been through. If we couldn't help in her rescue, let us at least not add to her trauma (just like those kidnappers) with banal comments.

There are 5 types of commission in the Nigerian Army (NA) - I did not say Armed Forces. They are:
1. Regular Combatant (RC). Training takes 5 years.
2. Short Service Combatant (SSC). Training takes 6 - 9 months.
3. Direct Regular Combatant (DRC). Now attained on conversion from DSSC.
4. Direct Short Service Combatant (DSSC). Training takes 6 - 9 months.
5. Executive Commission (EC). Training takes 2 - 3 months.

Details of such commissions are to be found in the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service (TACOS) for officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces but a summary goes thus:

RC and SSC are combatants ie they fight battles. The others are not meant to be combatants. Both SSC and DSSC  are of relatively short durations  (not more than 12 years I think, excluding extension of service) and must convert to RC and DRC respectively to enjoy a longer career. Theoretically, RCs and DRCs can rise to become generals ie Brigadier Generals, Major Generals etc (Remember the pyramid structure?  The higher it gets, the smaller it becomes. In other words, many are called but the chosen are few). DRCs are mainly professionals - surgeons, pharmacists, chaplains, surveyors etc - and are usually not found in the core combat arms of Infantry, Armour and Artillery but can be found in the Army Engineers and Signals. ECs are made up of former soldiers and do not usually exceed the rank of Major.

There are varying criteria for the various commissions. In reality advantage is more on the side of those who were originally RCs than those who were originally SSCs in terms of age on rank, numbers etc. Hey! Cheer up! Anything can happen! Lt Gen Ishaya Bamaiyi (rtd) rose to become Chief of Army Staff (COAS). He wasn't originally an RC. Though DRCs may never become COASs or General Officers Commanding (GOCs), they can apart from being Staff Officers also hold command posts in corps or services in which they predominate. These include Education, Medical and Finance among others.

True, efforts were recently made to consolidate emoluments but achievement of success or wealth is a product of motivation and determination. If you want to live well, you will. If you don't, you won't.

@ Eseaba,
I hope some of your questions have been answered. As RC or DRC, mininum years of service are about 15 years, give or take. Life as a cadet is quite strenuous. Generally, training in the Infantry Corps Centre and School (ICCS), Jaji where DSSs and ECs are usually trained, is not as strenuous as in NDA where RCs and SSCs are trained. Cadets are usually humourously welcomed with euphemism, "Unfortunate Nigerians, you will nearly die but you will not die!" But you should survive if you are physically fit afterall, many have gone before you. As a cadet, you are entitled to allowances which may not cater for your family if you have one. This is usually true for former civilians. Those who were formerly soldiers and not RC cadets usually receive their salaries in addition until they are commissioned.

@ Creamdream,
I hope some of your questions too have been answered. You can check with the Army Public Relations Department in any military barracks near you to know if, when and types of forms available. For RC, you need at least 5 credits including English and maths. For SSC, DRC and DSSC, you must be a graduate. Lawyers in the army are usually found in the Army Legal Services and the Military Police. They can also be found in lesser numbers in other corps and services. As for private practice, it all depends on what type. You don't expect to have your private practice as a lawyer alongside your military career. Usually other less obvious means to keeping body and soul together such as buying shares and your backyard poultry among others may be pursued so long as they don't interfere with your work.

@ Yemivictor,
NDA  now offers some post-graduate courses for the military.

Adolf Hitler largely dictated the current state of world affairs - the aftermath of WW II such as the Cold War, the mass relocation of Jews to the Middle East and the consequent Middle East problems etc etc. The pacifists during his time let him get away with many misdeeds in order to avoid war. Nevertheless, their efforts were in vain. Now again, followers of Allah want to have their way in all matters. It's as if they view everything in terms of Allah and his prophet. I don't think there has been any prophet who has received as much insults as Jesus (while on earth and after). What with "the Da Vinci Code" and the likes yet, dust is not raised nor are bodies maimed. Not even by the muslims who say he is one of their prophets. If we don't all stand against the antics of these vocal minority, the spirit of Hitler may once more roam over the earth. What I want is a frank no-holds-barred discussion between christians and muslims. Are we really serving the same God? Is the Allah the same person as Yahweh? Establishing of such facts and many others will at least let us know where we stand vis-a-vis each other. I have this nagging thought: Many of Islam's prophets were Jews - Joseph, Moses, Elijah, Jesus etc etc. If they were around to-day, what would be the attitude of muslims towards them seeing the present bad blood between Arabs and Jews.