General Abdel Mageed Saqr, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Minister of Defense and Military Production, attended the graduation ceremony of the 168th batch of the College of Egyptian Reserve Officers, named after the martyr, Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Mohamed Abdel Khaleq, who fell during the glorious October War.
The ceremony was held in the presence of General Ahmed Khalifa, Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces, as well as several governors, heads of the main branches of the Armed Forces, military commanders, and prominent figures including veterans of the Officer Reserve College, university presidents, public figures, media representatives, and the graduates’ families.
The ceremony began with a display of athletic skills, martial arts, and close combat techniques, which highlighted the physical and combat readiness as well as the high-level skills acquired by the students throughout their time at the College, the Egyptian Ministry of Defense said in a statement.
This was followed by a demonstration of weapon handling techniques, as well as several research and innovation projects carried out by the college students, aimed at keeping pace with scientific advancements across various fields. The displays concluded with a military parade in which groups of college students participated, led by flag bearers. Military music performed the “Martyr’s Anthem” in honor of the nation’s fallen heroes.
Following the announcement of the graduation results by the Chief Instructor of the Officer Reserve College, the Director of the Armed Forces Officers’ Affairs announced the appointment orders and awarded medals to the top graduates. General Saqr then awarded the top graduates with the Military Duty Medal, Second Class, which had been approved by the President of the Republic in recognition of their outstanding performance during their studies at the college. This was followed by a tribute to the family of the martyr Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Mohamed Abdel Khaleq. The graduates then recited the oath of loyalty.
Major General Bahaa El-Sayed Abdel Rahim, Commandant of the Officer Reserve College, delivered a speech in which he highlighted the support provided by the Armed Forces General Command, including the provision of scientific and cultural resources to prepare a new generation of graduates. These graduates are trained within a scientific and practical framework to ensure their readiness and awareness, enabling them to defend the homeland and protect its sacredness.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, General Abdel Mageed Saqr conveyed the greetings and appreciation of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Republic and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, congratulating the graduates and their families on their efforts throughout their studies at the college. He also welcomed them into the ranks of the Armed Forces, where they will become capable men committed to protecting the nation and fulfilling the responsibilities entrusted to them by the people.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces further emphasized that the Egyptian Army is the Army of the People. Military history proudly recalls the honorable role of reserve officers and their great contributions to serving the nation, particularly in their dedicated and selfless participation in achieving the October Victory. He affirmed that reserve officers represent one of the core pillars of the Armed Forces’ combat capability, thanks to their combined civilian and military expertise, which enables them to perform all tasks with efficiency and competence. (Source & Photo © Egyptian Ministry of Defense)
