A ceremonial military parade to hand over duties of the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services of Myanmar Tatmadaw of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar took place at Zeyathiri Beikman in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning.

First, Vice-Senior General Thiri Pyanchi Maha Thray Sithu Soe Win, the current Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services of Myanmar Tatmadaw, and Chief of the General Staff (Army, Navy and Air) General Zeya Kyaw Htin Thray Sithu Kyaw Swa Lin, who will assume the duties of the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, led by two protocol officers, arrived at the venue where the ceremony will be held.

Vice-Senior General Thiri Pyanchi Maha Thray Sithu Soe Win and General Zeya Kyaw Htin Thray Sithu Kyaw Swa Lin from the dais took the salute of the Guard of Honour.

Meanwhile, the artillery unit of honour fired a 17-gun salute to the accompaniment of the military parade.

Vice-Senior General Thiri Pyanchi Maha Thray Sithu Soe Win inspected the Guard of Honour.

On the occasion, the Vice-Senior General delivered a speech. He said: Tatmadaw has, through successive generations of leaders — from the pre-independence period, through the post-independence era to the present — provided training and systematically handed over responsibilities to ensure that it remains a young, dynamic, and revitalized force. Regardless of who serves within it, many capable Tatmadaw members are fully qualified to carry out the duties assigned to them. Those Tatmadaw members have become competent through training and refresher courses conducted by the Tatmadaw, as well as through battlefield experiences, staff officer experience, and the instructors’ guidance, and shared knowledge of successive trainers and mentors. To enable the effective discharge of duties, senior leaders have also trained subordinate officers at successive levels in accordance with the motto “study, practise, and comply”. The transfer of a duty within Tatmadaw is not an ordinary handover, but one based on trust, confidence, and the prior training of suitable individuals before responsibilities are assigned. In other words, only when young leaders are equipped with experience can they effectively lead and carry out Tatmadaw’s core duties — national defence, safeguarding our three main national causes, protecting the Constitution (2008) of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, and working in coordination with the incumbent government to serve national interests. Therefore, responsibilities are systematically handed over to the younger generation in stages. During the period of his service, the Vice-Senior General paid tribute and expressed deep respect to all his trainers, mentors, and guiding figures who provided direction and guidance. The Vice-Senior General also conveyed his gratitude, respect, and pride toward former Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who led with understanding, forgiveness, and compassion throughout the 15 years of his service. The Vice-Senior General added that, thanks to the guidance, instruction, and counsel of successive trainers, mentors, and advisors, he was able to carry out his duties with minimal errors during his tenure. During their period of service, the Vice-Senior General said he carried out duties with sincere intentions, making use of their experience, guidance, and military training, intending to ensure the welfare of Tatmadaw members and their families, including livelihood, health, and education, as well as achieving operational success with minimal casualties and losses. While there may be both successes and setbacks in the execution of duties, the most important objective has been to build a Tatmadaw that is progressively improving and one that the people can rely on in accordance with the policies and directives set by senior leaders, and through cooperation based on mutual understanding, tolerance, and empathy. If such cooperation – grounded in responsibility, respect, goodwill, understanding, and compassion – continues in the future, Tatmadaw will remain a youthful and dynamic force, one that is respected internationally and trusted, relied upon, respected, and cherished by the people. Upholding the motto: Mother-Figure People, Father-Figure People, the Vice-Senior General affirmed that he will always remain ready and willing to serve whenever the Tatmadaw requires in the future.

Military Appointment-General Lt-Gen Zeya Kyaw Htin Htein Win read out the appointment order, stating that Chief of the General Staff (Army, Navy and Air) General Zeya Kyaw Htin Thray Sithu Kyaw Swa Lin had been concurrently appointed as Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and Commander-in-Chief (Army).

Vice-Senior General Thiri Pyanchi Maha Thray Sihu Soe Win handed over the sword of insignia and the flag of the Office of the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services to General Zeya Kyaw Htin Thray Sithu Kyaw Swa Lin, who will assume the duties of the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services and was decorated with the insignia of command of the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services.

Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services General Zeya Kyaw Htin Thray Sithu Kyaw Swa Lin respectfully handed over the sword of insignia to the former Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Vice-Senior General Thiri Pyanchi Maha Thray Sithu Soe Win.

The Vice-Senior General and the General took the salute of the Guard of Honour.

Vice-Senior General Thiri Pyanchi Maha Thray Sithu Soe Win and his wife Daw Than Than Nwe and General Zeya Kyaw Htin Thray Sithu Kyaw Swa Lin and his wife Dr Nang Kue Ku cordially greeted senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and their wives, and guests.

The Vice-Senior General and his wife viewed round commemorative gifts presented by offices and departments from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and posed for documentary photos together with attendees.

When the vehicle carrying the Vice-Senior General and his wife left Zeyathiri Beikman, those present at the ceremony bade farewell to them with the State Military Band.

The ceremonial military parade was also attended by senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and their wives. — MNA/TTA

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