Kenya Military Academy – Family Away from Home

At the Kenya Military Academy gate, the orderly, the well leveled grass and such a clean environment is the reflection on the aspects of training and the values of the Academy. The place does not get itself to that state, it is the dedication of the family you get there; the cadets. Some have been there for months and others for even years but one thing is sure that the bar is set for all. At the end of training, they will have undergone similar experiences though through the hands of very different selfless instructors.

The person I was 36 months ago is not the same person that I am today. A lot of transformation has taken place. At times you do not remember sleeping for days then you are told that is satanic night, the dutiful parents ensure that happens. At such moments, you visualize how the same person treated you weeks before joining cadet school and you cannot just comprehend the contrast. At selection, he was such a father figure allowing you to do shopping yet this time he is the one making sure you have no access to shop and orientation this time is when loaded with all your kit from one point to the next. At some point, you think it is torture but as time goes by you appreciate how these instructors were so dedicated in making you an all-round officer who is emotionally intelligent and can bear so much.

After three or so months, you get so used to each other and you realize this is just family away from home. You finally have shoulders to lean on and when the sun goes down and you reorg in “Lisimba” a home no military officer will ever forget, they carry with them to the grave you have so much to share for the day, the stretcher race, route match, project and many other experiences. By this time, you have gained so much endurance and can sustain the so-called ongeza majira.

The cohesion grows and this makes one stronger, one is encouraged to keep making steps towards the ultimate goal “yellow mark away”. The platoon commanders challenge you to widen your spectrum of thought in this you learn to deal with a wide range of personality willingly or unwillingly. The instructors will always give you a dose especially when you go wrong. It is their duty to produce officers who will lead men and women to secure our borders and the sovereignty of the state.

Life in the family is so unpredictable simulating the state of war of so much uncertainties, this makes a cadet to be engaged all through. This state makes the training interesting and challenging as it should be sine you do not know what comes after every minute.