Twelve more AFPI cadets become officers on 12 June

Twelve more AFPI cadets become officers on 12 June

Nabaz-e-Punjab Bureau, SAS Nagar: 12 June:
Twelve AFPI alumni cadets passed out on completion of training at the Indian Military Academy, Dehra Dun today and earned their commission in the Indian Army in the rank of Lt. The parade was reviewed by Lt Gen RP Singh, Army Commander Western Command. Due to Covid 19 restrictions, parents of the cadets were not invited to witness the parade.
So far 162 cadets from the first eight courses have joined NDA or other service academies and of these 83 have earned their commission in the armed forces. 68 cadets have joined the Army; eight have gone to the Navy and seven to the Air Force. Two more cadets are expected to join the Air Force on 19 June when the passing out Parade of the Air Force Academy is to be held.
These cadets had joined the Armed Forces Preparatory Institute, Mohali in 2015 as part of the Fifth AFPI Course. They joined the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla in 2017 as part of the 138th NDA Course. On completion of three years of rigorous training at NDA they joined the IMA for the final year of service training.
Academy Cadet Adjutant Loveneet Singh distinguished himself by winning the Bronze medal for standing third in the overall order of merit of the passing out course. Loveneet belongs to Jalalabad East and his father Sardar Bhupinder Singh is a farmer. His mother Smt Parveen Kaur is a house wife. He will be joining the 7th Battalion of the Sikh Light Infantry.
In the past cadets of AFPI have distinguished themselves by winning various medals in service academies. Lt Harpreet Singh (Scinde Horse) was awarded the Sword of Honour and Gold medal at the Officer’s Training Academy in Mar 2020 and Lt Gurvansh Singh Gosal (Sikh Regiment) was awarded the Bronze medal at the Indian Military Academy in Dec 2018. Alumni of AFPI who are now officers are earning great laurels in the service of the nation. Capt Vishavdeep Singh who is in the Special Forces was awarded a Sena Medal for gallantry in Jan 2021 and Lt Jasmeet Singh Bamrah, Jak Rif, was awarded the Chief of Defence Staff Commendation Card for operations in Galwan Valley.
Currently three courses are undergoing training at AFPI. The Ninth Course of 39 cadets has completed its two years of training recently. Selected cadets of this course will be joining the NDA shortly once the merit list is released by UPSC. The Tenth Course of 50 cadets is now studying in Class 12 and will be appearing for the NDA entrance exam in Sep this year. The Eleventh Course of 42 cadets has recently joined AFPI and commenced training last month.
Since March last year all training has been in the online mode due to Covid 19. This severe restriction notwithstanding, the Institute has been able to send as many 28 cadets to NDA and other academies during the period Jan 2020 to May 2021.
With effect from this year AFPI has commenced the long awaited Cadet Training Wing programme. This programme envisages reaching out to various selected schools in Punjab for training and motivating students of these schools for joining the armed forces. Over 100 students studying in Class 11 and Class 12 have already enrolled in this new venture which is expected to substantially increase the number of young men joining the armed forces in the years ahead.