The gates of the Armed Forces of Malta, as from early morning were opened up to the public on Saturday as part of a series of activities organised for the yearly AFM Open Day.
Part of its aim was to reach out further to those into starting a military career. The innovative ‘Soldier’s for a Day’ event was held successfully seeing 80 participants from Malta and Gozo.
Reporting at the Barracks as early as 6:30am, they had the opportunity to experience around 10 hours of various military activities to get more oriented with the different roles of AFM.
The full day training with the AFM tested them among others for strength of character, discipline, leadership and team building skills.
During the day, Minister for Home Affairs and National Security Carmelo Abela visited the participants who were following exercises at the Maritime Squadron. He applauded AFM for this outreach with a difference. He encouraged them to keep on being close to the public they serve.
Minister Abela said that such activities help to attract young people who are interested to embark on a military career.
He remarked that in the last three years, AFM recruited more than 400 soldiers and 30 cadets. Currently 68 new recruits are following an intensive 18 weeks training programme.
Later in the day, the Headquarters of the Armed Forces in Luqa, welcomed the public for an evening of operational military displays ranging from displays from the AFM band, drill team, helicopters take-off and a simulation exercise by the Special Operations Unit.
Those who attended also had the chance to talk to soldiers from different regiments on military recruitment and career paths.
During the day the tasks organised for the participants varied from; abseiling from 1 Regt Tower, live firing practice at Pembroke Ranges, Underway experience out at sea onboard a patrol vessel, Rope / knots training at Maritime Squadron, First Response training at Pembroke Ranges and Drill Training at 4 Regt.
Photograph: DOI/Clifton Fenech