16/11/2023
PROMOTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS OF SENIOR MILITARY OFFICERS
By Col Hamwiinde Munamumungu
Recently, some members of the public requested that I write something about the process or procedures for promotions and appointments of very senior and junior officers in the Army.
First of all, all officers of the Defence Forces (the Army and Air Force) are commissioned and promoted by the President as Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Force. This duty is never delegated to another person, officer, or official constitutionally.
This means that from the commissioning rank of a Second Lieutenant and above, the President, as Commander-in-Chief, will always be involved. In special cases, other specialized officers, like medical doctors, may be commissioned directly as full Lieutenants or usually as Captains, upon the recommendation of the Army Commander to the National Defence Council.
Unless there are very exceptional cases, all officers must be selected by an Officer Selection Board (OSB).
The President deliberately chooses one officer to be appointed Army or Air Force Commander and/or Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff, respectively, and these are sworn in by himself before assuming their respective offices. This is a mandatory duty that cannot be passed on to another person or official.
Promotions in the military, regardless of rank, are sacred and prestigious enough to call for a parade or ceremony to promulgate these promotions. These promotions are made against an existing opening or position. This means the Army keeps an Establishment Register to guide both appointments and promotions.
Whenever these promotions, which are usually accompanied by various appointments, are promulgated, there is a lot of joy and drink-up in the various messes and clubs.
In today’s military, as opposed to my days some forty years ago, families are equally allowed to attend, with spouses elevated to help in the piping of the new ranks on the officer's shoulders.
Before the change of rank, say from Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel, or Colonel to Brigadier General, a citation is read, followed by a synopsis of one’s performance, followed by the change of rank and the reaffirmation of the oath of allegiance. This is a way of expressing loyalty and appreciation to the Commander in Chief of the Defence Force as President. This ceremony is now normally exercised by the Army Commander on behalf of the President as Commander-in-Chief.
Usually, the ranks involved here are those of full Colonel to Brigadier General, hereto referred to as the Members of the General Staff.
Other levels of commanders below the Army Commander exercise the delegated powers of the President and Commander in Chief of the Defence Force under Section 165 of the Defence Act. This delegated power to conduct such promotions is for the officers of the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and below as commanders at their respective levels.
The second positive recent change, by President Hakainde Hichilema as Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Force is that the President delegated his powers of promotion and appointments of Commissioners of Police and officers under such rank to the Inspector General of Police. This move relieves pressure from the President by restricting himself to appointing and swearing in the Inspector General of Police and his deputies.
In a similar vein, the President continues to promote and appoint a Commissioner-General of the Zambia Correctional Service and his deputies, as well as swearing them in.
The rest of the promotions and appointments remain in the repository of the Commissioner-General of Correctional Service.
These changes are part of the modernization processes of modern armies and other military forces worldwide.
The author is a retired Colonel in the Zambia Army.
