The graduation ceremony for the 17th intake recruit training was held at the NDF Training Establishment Military Base outside of Okahandja on Wednesday.
Unfortunately, three of the students died during the training.
Details are not clear; however, indications are they died for health-related reasons.
1,387 out of 1,434 recruits successfully completed their training.
The recruits from all 14 regions of the country underwent nine months of extensive training to prepare them for their careers as military personnel.
The Chief of the Namibian Defence Force, Air Marshall Martin Pinehas, reminded the graduates of their duty to defend the country.
"You are some of the luckiest young people to have been given the opportunity to wear this national uniform in defence of the motherland. Your military career did not start on the 7th of December; your military career starts today with this graduation. As a trained soldier, you included, your task is to kill or to get killed; there is nothing else. You are trained to kill the enemy or get killed. So don't tell me you are here to make money to do what."
The Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Frans Kapofi, encouraged the graduates to be disciplined and exemplary as they carry out their duties.
"The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs is working hard to rejuvenate the Namibian Defence Force with young, energetic, healthy, and informed youth. We are working hard to realise the vision of having a small, well-trained, and well-equipped professional force that excels in the fulfilment of its mandate. This radical transformation is aimed at conditioning the men and women in the military to be able to think differently and deal with emerging threats with vigour and determination."
The recruits collectively wrote a speech to show their appreciation for the skills they acquired during the training.
The recruits will soon be deployed to carry out their duties in providing disciplined military service, defending the country and its interests, as well as maintaining peace and harmony.