Nine officers, holding the ranks of major and captain, have successfully completed the Command and Staff Course (25-01), the highest military training program within the Surinamese National Army. This intensive ten-month course bridges tactical command and strategic leadership, equipping participants for pivotal roles within the defense apparatus. Colonel Justus Hew A Kee, Commander of the Institute for Defense Training, highlighted the significance of this achievement: “Where you once executed plans, you are now expected to craft them. You transition from tactics to strategy, becoming advisors, policymakers, and co-architects of our future operational strength.” Jayant Bidesie, Director of the Ministry of Defense, emphasized the importance of this new cohort for the moral compass of the armed forces, cautioning against declining discipline. “You are the emerging leadership of the army. Restoring trust—among the population, politicians, and international partners—lies in your hands. Trust is built not with words but with actions,” he stated. Major Ratna Ganpat was recognized as the top graduate of the course. Brigadier General Werner Kioe A Sen placed the achievement in a global context, noting the rapidly shifting security landscape. “Reacting is not enough—we must anticipate. Strong strategic leadership is not a luxury but a necessity. Weapons win battles, but people win wars,” he asserted. Lieutenant Colonel Arnold Kortstam, the course coordinator, detailed the curriculum, which included strategic planning, conflict analysis, decision-making under pressure, and leadership in dynamic environments. “This course demanded much from them. They worked long hours, dissected complex scenarios, and dared to be vulnerable to grow,” he explained. With the completion of this program, Suriname reaffirms its possession of strategic military leadership of international caliber.
Nieuwe lichting strategisch legerkader klaar voor hoogste functies binnen Defensie
