Army Commander, General Joseph Aoun, met with the officers of the 38th Staff Course and the first English-language staff course at the Fouad Chehab Military Academy before their graduation, in the presence of the academy commander, Brigadier General Mohammad Bitar, and its officers.
General Aoun congratulated the graduating officers and wished them well on the occasion of Father's Day, welcoming the Arab and foreign officers. He considered success in the staff course to be an important achievement that transitions graduates to a new phase, during which they will play a fundamental role as advisors in major units, qualifying them for future leadership positions.
He noted that great leaders throughout history, like Napoleon Bonaparte and Bernard Montgomery, placed significant importance on their staffs and consistently relied on their advice to avoid mistakes. He emphasized that the staff's duty of preparing the decision is more important than the decision itself, as preparation highlights the correctness of the final decision while relying on experience and wisdom.
He addressed the graduates, saying, "You have completed the staff course under difficult circumstances and at a time that is one of the hardest in the army's history, but it remains steadfast thanks to your efforts and the support of your comrades, and your trust and faith in the sanctity of the mission. An officer takes initiatives within available resources, and a successful leader emerges in times of adversity, so be creative, inventive, and responsible." He pointed out that "there are three who take an oath in the Lebanese state: the president, the judge, and the military, because their mission is sacred."
He added, "The military institution will continue to fulfill its duty despite all attempts to tarnish its image and obstruct its work. Our country's entity and state are still standing, so ignore the rumors. I see in your eyes the determination and resolve to preserve the institution amid the difficult situation, especially in the south due to repeated Israeli assaults, hoping that difficulties will soon clear and attempts at reaching a ceasefire will succeed."
He addressed the subject of the military academy, stating, "Those responsible should ensure the regular operation of the military academy to avoid a vacuum and inject new blood into the institution."
He concluded by expressing his appreciation for the families of the graduates for their support throughout the past year and for the staff college for its diligent efforts and significant development, particularly regarding the graduation of the first staff course in the English language.
