Speech Delivered by Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing at the Passing Out Parade of the 67th Intake of Defence Services Academy
Comrades,
Today marks the triumphant culmination of the 67th Intake of the Defence Services Academy and serves as the Induction Day, when comrades pass through the ceremonial arch to assume their positions as junior leaders in the designated units and corps of the Defence Services — Army, Navy, and Air. This solemn occasion signifies both their elevation in duty and honour, and the successful completion of their integrated programme of academic studies and military tactics at their revered alma mater, the Defence Services Academy. Likewise, it is my honour to affirm that this day stands as a defining milestone for our comrades, imbued with profound significance and heralding a renewed vigour and enduring purpose for our Nation and the Tatmadaw.
Comrades,
The alma mater, the Defence Services Academy, has long cultivated comrades into exemplary junior leaders, guided by the steadfast aspiration ‘To produce well-rounded and calibred officers for the Defence Services.’ I would like to emphasise that, through tireless dedication, these comrades, shaped by the Academy and propelled by a relentless pursuit of excellence, are called to exemplify the enduring principles of integrity and the noble ethos of ‘Honour, Valour, Wisdom,’ standing ever poised to discharge their duties with resolute determination within their assigned units.
Comrades,
It is imperative that comrades entrusted with the three principal duties be well-versed in the noble art of leadership. In this noble pursuit, comrades must exert themselves with steadfast purpose, guided by the sixteen traits of leadership; for leadership is not an inborn gift, but a discipline attained through one’s own learning, conduct, and perseverance. Above all, comrades must cultivate firm and disciplined organisational skill within their respective spheres, for a leader must be able to marshal both the morale and the capabilities of his subordinates, and thereby fulfil the missions entrusted to him with honour and success.
Through this approach, it has become possible to discern the attitude, abilities, strengths, and shortcomings of each individual, and to strive with concerted effort to ensure the right man in the right place, while exercising justice and prudence, and showing no partiality toward any subordinate. Moreover, the virtues and integrity required to embody righteous leadership over one’s subordinates must be steadfastly cultivated. It is of paramount importance that great success be achieved in the execution of every task, guided by the principles of righteousness instilled within those of steadfast and honest mind. Otherwise, tasks undertaken lacking integrity and discernment will be reprehensible, bringing disrepute and falling short of the high standards expected of true leadership. Likewise, I would like to urge that comrades embrace full responsibility for the Nation, the Tatmadaw, their units and corps, and their fellow companions, conducting themselves with honesty and striving to become exemplary leaders, even in the face of trials and dilemmas.
Comrades,
The rise and fall of a nation are inextricably bound to the diligence and discipline of its citizens, who must stand steadfast within its fold. Likewise, the prosperity and decline of an organisation rest upon the diligence and steadfast adherence to regulations demonstrated by its members. The enduring steadfastness of our Tatmadaw stands as a living testament to the discipline, loyalty, and devotion of its service members, carried faithfully across generations. Therefore, comrades entrusted with the inheritance and preservation of the honoured traditions of our Tatmadaw are called to uphold the highest standards of discipline in duty, loyalty, and integrity.
Discipline can be broadly categorized into two types: prescriptive discipline and prohibitive discipline. Prescriptive discipline lays down the rules that require comrades to act in a manner that is fitting, proper, and consonant with their duty. Prohibitive discipline, in turn, sets the rules that strictly forbid any action deemed inappropriate, unbefitting, or contrary to the standards of the service. In particular, the Sixty Codes of Conduct embodied within our Tatmadaw stand as prescriptive disciplines that uphold conduct befitting the highest soldierly bearing. These codes must be observed with steadfast devotion and constancy, held firm as a Longyi bound at the waist. Conversely, the articles concerning the 41 types of offences set forth in the Tatmadaw Act constitute prohibitive disciplines, and comrades must exercise utmost care to avoid committing them. Furthermore, comrades, as members of the Tatmadaw, you must honour and uphold all field and workplace regulations set forth by the Tatmadaw. I also like to emphasise the utmost importance of respecting and abiding by the civil laws and regulations of our Nation.
Comrades,
Training plays a pivotal role within the Tatmadaw’s threefold operational process: Study, Practise, Comply. Moreover, it is accorded primacy, expressly designated as the first pillar of the Tatmadaw’s Three Readiness and the foremost of the four principal tasks of unit building. Every regulated duty performed each day by comrades forms a living cycle of continual training. Therefore, the supreme charge of our Tatmadaw, the duty from which all others flow, is training. Comrades shall undertake continuous training, both to sharpen their own quality and capability and to elevate the proficiency and effectiveness of the troops under their command and charge.
To fulfil the duties entrusted to you in their entirety, optimal health and physical resilience are indispensable. You must perform the prescribed daily fitness exercises with exactness and consistency. I urge you to refrain entirely from alcohol, tobacco, and narcotic substances, for such vices severely undermine the strength and readiness required of every soldier.
Comrades,
Technological leaps, coupled with state-of-the-art military weaponry and ordnance in the contemporary era, have fundamentally transformed military affairs, allowing operations to transcend traditional geographical limitations. The battlefield has evolved from one once dominated by manpower, conventional weaponry, and traditional military tactics to a theatre defined by advanced high-tech armaments, including drones. Furthermore, operational domains have expanded significantly to encompass Artificial Intelligence, Cyber, Space, and Information Warfare. In essence, air supremacy, mastery of electronic technologies, the modernity and quality of ordnance, and operational precision now constitute the principal factors determining victory or defeat in war. To comprehend, master, and skillfully employ the evolving military tactics and modern weaponry driven by technological advancement, extensive knowledge and professional competence are indispensable. Recognising that elevating educational standards is quintessential to building a Standard Army, the Tatmadaw resolutely prioritises initiatives designed to advance the education and training of all officers and soldiers.
On the other hand, comrades must continually endeavour to better themselves by integrating the expertise they have acquired with practical application in their daily duties. It is imperative to engage with literature that imparts knowledge, thereby cultivating wisdom and broadening the intellect. Moreover, you are called upon to study and reflect upon works of intellectual and philosophical merit, which serve to sharpen your discernment of right and wrong, cause and effect. As expertise broadens a person competent, and knowledge renders a person virtuous, I urge you to pursue excellence in both realms, so that you may grow into competent and virtuous soldiers who are at once both capable and morally upright.
Comrades,
The primary duty of our Tatmadaw is the Defence of the Nation. To discharge this responsibility fully, comrades must be endowed with three indispensable capabilities: Military Capability, Administrative Capability, and Organisational Capability. Only by mastering these three pillars can you execute the orders and duties assigned to you with complete proficiency. These capabilities are mutually reinforcing: as administrative capability strengthens, military capability is enhanced, and organisational capability correspondingly grows. Therefore, building upon the academic studies and military tactics instilled at the Defence Services Academy, I urge you, comrades, to strive to become exemplary officers, fully equipped with these three essential capabilities.
Comrades,
In light of the blatant voting irregularities perpetrated during the 2020 General Election, the Tatmadaw was compelled to assume the responsibilities of national political governance. During this period, the opposition groups, NUG and CRPH, engaged in acts of subversion, portraying the Tatmadaw as undermining democracy and seeking to mislead the youth, enticing them towards armed terrorism through false hopes and expectations. This armed terrorism has resulted in a grievous loss of human resources for the Union we are striving to build. It is imperative to recognise that attempts to resolve issues through armed means have yielded no positive outcomes, even over the course of more than seventy years. Moreover, it is necessary to confront the reality that the regression of democracy stems from the armed path itself. If the ultimate objective remains the construction of a Union founded upon democracy and a federal system, the Nation has already laid the groundwork for inviting all armed opposition groups, including the PDFs, to operate within the legal framework, with the paramount aim of safeguarding the interests of the Union.
On the other hand, certain ethnic armed groups that had signed the NCA, by disregarding the facts of the political process, have violated their commitments and strayed from the path of peace. In light of the incidents and challenges encountered in the pursuit of peace, the Tatmadaw has clearly and precisely articulated the Six Peace Principles. As genuine peace can only be attained through dialogue and negotiation, it is imperative that, when peace initiatives are undertaken, we focus on what must be done rather than merely expressing personal desires, and work collaboratively to achieve what is possible in unity and harmony. I wish to underscore that only by building a practical, successful, and sustainable peace can we effectively advance the nation’s development and safeguard the well-being of our people.
Comrades,
Article 339 of the 2008 Constitution stipulates that the Defence Services shall lead in safeguarding the Union against all internal and external dangers. The defence objective of our Nation further asserts: ‘To strive to establish a modern People’s Defence System, involving the entire population, based upon internal forces, and sovereign and impervious to external influence in the defence and security of the State.’ In view of the contemporary geopolitical landscape and international circumstances, the defence, security, and sovereignty of small nations, including our own, can remain stable and resilient only when founded upon forces that encompass the full participation of the people. I solemnly emphasise that, as our national defence strategy is founded upon the People’s Militia System, which rests upon the participation of all citizens, any threat that imperils or infringes upon the sovereignty of the Nation must be confronted, resisted, and extinguished through the unified strength of the entire populace, with the Tatmadaw as the central pivot. This is not merely a policy but an inherent and historic duty entrusted to every citizen.
Comrades,
In the coming days, a multi-party democratic general election will be held. In preparation, new laws and regulations governing the registration of political parties have been amended and enacted to ensure fair and equitable participation. Furthermore, election-related information is being disseminated by the State in a timely and transparent manner.
In the forthcoming election, all eligible citizens, except those legally disqualified, are called upon to exercise their right to vote freely. The candidates we choose must be devoted to the service of the nation, steadfast in upholding and safeguarding our three main national causes, and committed to the advancement of our Nation. I wish to impart that, in accordance with the principles of a multi-party democracy, all political parties and Hluttaw candidates are to engage in fair and honourable competition throughout the electoral process.
While the State Government is exerting concerted efforts on every front to ensure that the 2025 multi-party democratic general election is conducted freely, openly, fairly, and with the utmost dignity, it must be underscored that certain individuals and organisations opposing the State are seeking, through various subversive means, to impede this national agenda. As the emergence of a government elected by the sovereign will of the people would significantly weaken the capacity of these terrorist elements to sustain their unlawful and destructive acts, they are intensifying their attempts to disrupt the electoral process. Therefore, I call upon you, my comrades, to stand in steadfast collaboration with the people and to execute your duties in your respective sectors with utmost vigilance and unbreakable unity, securing the successful conduct of the election by pre-empting and crushing the disruptive acts of those intent on undermining it.
Comrades,
In conclusion, I would like to reiterate the following points:
- To endeavour to become individuals worthy of ‘Honour, Valour, and Wisdom,’ while faithfully discharging the duties entrusted to you in your designated units.
- To perform your duties with honesty and integrity, and to strive to become exemplary leaders who stand firm and remain steadfast in the face of all difficulties and challenges.
- To live by, and endeavour to become, individuals who respect and uphold rules and laws, embracing the principle: ‘Discipline Begets Safety’, and
- To urge all to stand united in ensuring that the peoples of every ethnic nationality fully comprehend the genuine endeavours of the Tatmadaw in safeguarding internal stability and fostering lasting serenity.