Twenty-three majors from the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) officially completed an 11-month Defence Command and Staff College (DCSC) course in early December 2009. The occasion was marked by a formal graduation at Sir Seretse Khama Barracks in Gaborone.



Having completed its second academic year, the DCSC, under the direction of Brigadier G. Morake, has rapidly become a world class institution through the concerted efforts of its staff, BDF senior leadership, support from international partners, and through its affiliation with the University of Botswana.



Speaking at the graduation, Professor Bojosi Otlhogile, vice chancellor of the University of Botswana, told the graduates that they would be expected to take on higher responsibilities within the BDF. "You are now equipped with the necessary skills to articulate procedures. Juniors, the army, and the nation at large will be looking to you to help defend the nation," said Otlhogile.



He also expressed enthusiasm about the challenging academic program the graduates just completed and was grateful for the partnership between the University of Botwswana and the DCSC. The staff college recently signed a formal affiliation agreement with the University of Botswana's Strategic Studies program, allowing University of Botswana instructors to teach and hold seminars at the staff college, which will eventually result in the DCSC becoming a degree awarding institution.



Following the graduation ceremony, Major General Otisitswe Tiroyamodimo, the deputy BDF commander and commander of Defence Logistics Command, pinned new rank insignia on Nigerian Army Lieutenant Colonel D. Abdulsalam, an instructor at the DCSC, who was selected for promotion to colonel.



The recent creation of the staff college addresses a significant need within the BDF to develop staff officers and commanders at the battalion and brigade levels. For the first three decades of its existence, the BDF relied entirely on foreign training opportunities for a very limited number of officers. Now the BDF can meet a much larger portion of its needs internally. A total of 59 BDF officers have now completed their staff course in Botswana.



According to Brigadier Morake, the DCSC commandant, the school will soon be opened up to international students, pending the construction of a new facility.



In its brief history the DCSC has made great strides, in part attributable to the institution's willingness to seek advice and assistance from external sources. Prior to the DCSC's formation, a team traveled extensively abroad to other staff colleges throughout Africa, India, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States. Foreign partners have provided support for structure and curriculum as well as advice on managing a staff college. Frequent visits by foreign partners also introduce students to external viewpoints.



The United States military has been a key partner throughout the course. In May, students experienced a high level visit from the U.S. Naval War College. Also, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) sponsored seminars on military decision making and intelligence preparation of the battlefield. Two recent book donations in August (U.S. Naval War College) and September (United Kingdom) have increased the number of volumes and variety of material available in the DSCS library.



The 23 officers who graduated with this class came from tactical and operational assignments throughout the three BDF service components: Ground Forces Command, the Air Arm, and Defence Logistics Command. With graduation they have earned the coveted "psc" (passed staff college) attachment to their official titles. A new group of 36 majors will begin their staff course when the DCSC launches its third academic year in January 2010.