Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Minister of Defence and Military Production Lieutenant General Ashraf Salem Zaher said non-commissioned officer (NCO) instructors are a key pillar of Egypt’s Armed Forces. He stressed their vital role in protecting national security and shaping the character of soldiers.
Zaher made the remarks on Sunday at the graduation ceremony of the 163rd batch of non-commissioned officer instructors. The batch was named after the late Sergeant Major Hany Beltagy Radi Atta.
He said the new instructors’ responsibilities extend beyond military training. They are also tasked with developing soldiers’ awareness and character and preparing them to carry out their duties effectively under different conditions.
Zaher conveyed President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s greetings and congratulations to the graduates and their families. He stressed that training and qualifying non-commissioned officer instructors remains a major priority for the Armed Forces, describing them as the “beating heart” of the military establishment.
The ceremony was attended by Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Ahmed Khalifa, Education and Technical Education Minister Mohamed Abdel Latif, commanders of the Armed Forces’ main branches, senior military commanders, governors and media representatives.
The graduates demonstrated their physical fitness and military skills in a series of displays. These included physical training, cycling, basic military exercises and advanced weapons skills.
They also demonstrated their proficiency in using Delta equipment, free-fall parachuting, close combat, self-defence, vertical assault, rapid descent and obstacle crossing.
Military bands performed coordinated formations and musical displays, showcasing precision and discipline.
The ceremony concluded with a military parade featuring the institute’s students and flag bearers. The military bands then performed the Martyr’s Salute in honour of Egypt’s fallen servicemen.
The family of Sergeant Major Hany Beltagy Radi Atta was also honoured in recognition of his sacrifice and service to the country.
The institute’s senior instructor announced the final graduation results. A handover ceremony followed, marking the transfer from the 163rd batch to the 164th batch of non-commissioned officer instructors.
Zaher then presented decorations to the top graduates, who took the oath of allegiance.
Major General Ayman Amin El-Gendy, Director of the Non-Commissioned Officer Instructors Institute, said the Armed Forces’ General Command continues to support the institute and develop its training and qualification programmes in line with international standards.
He said the aim was to prepare new generations of highly qualified servicemen capable of responding efficiently and effectively to various challenges.
