By Eseoghene Emuke & Ovie Okpare
A Nigerian journalist, Perez Brisibe, who recently joined the US Army, has narrated how he was denied severally from joining the Nigerian Army to become a soldier.
Brisibe, a former reporter with the Vanguard Newspapers, was among the soldiers who recently graduated from 3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment (River Raiders) training of the United States Army.
He said he attempted joining the Nigerian Army several times but was turned down owning to what he described as the “Nigeria factor”.
According to him, it has always been his desire to be a soldier back home in Nigeria but all efforts to take after his father who was also a former soldier with the Nigerian Army failed.
Brisibe, who hails from Burutu LGA in Delta State, noted that he could not resist joining the US Army upon arriving in the States last year to accomplish his childhood dream.
Trained at Fort Jackson, South Carolina which is one of the four army training locations in the US, the Ijaw-born US soldier added that enlisting in the Army outside Nigeria was a “decision he would never regret”.
“I have always wanted to be a soldier as I admired the uniformed services. Before my admission into the university, I tried severally to no avail to join the Nigerian Army owing to what I would say is the Naija factor.
“Upon relocating to the United States, I made enquiries on how to enlist in the US Army to contribute my service to my new homeland. I was not only told that I met all the requirements, but would reap lots of benefits including educational and medical benefits”, he recounted.
Giving details of his training, Brisibe, who also worked with several international and local media organisations including AFP News Agency, described his training as “mental and physically rigorous”.
“My training includes 2 phases namely Basic Combat Training which involves transformational change from a civilian to a soldier as well as preparing you for battle.
“The second training is called the Advanced Individual Training which trains the soldier on his/her Military Occupational Specialty. Such specialty covers all sectors of the American labour market including ICT, medical, construction, engineering etc.
“The training, which was mental and physically rigorous, was honestly challenging, tasking and interesting.
“Having just arrived in the US in less than a year, sleeping in the woods during the field training exercises in the height of the winter was one of my most challenging times.
“But being an American Soldier is something I would do over and over again”, he added.
Brisibe further stated, “I thank God the Nigeria Army denied me the opportunity of being a soldier because I wouldn’t have had the opportunity of enlisting in the world’s strongest military force.
“Compared to what I have witnessed as an American Soldier, do you think I would want to be with an army whose soldiers complain of poor weapons and delayed monetary benefits?
“Besides, one of the lines in the American Soldier’s Creed states that, “I will never leave a fallen comrade.” As a trainee and during training, this is embedded in us as soldiers not to abandon our colleagues in battle. With this in mind, don’t you think I would want to give it my all to my component?
“During my training, I watched the training exercises of the Nigeria Army, particularly the so-called “baptism” of cadets at the Army Depot, Kaduna and I just shook my head. Most of the drills they perform on cadets which the US Army call trainees…
“Despite not being an American, I was literally encouraged with mouthwatering offers like tuition benefits, life insurance and medical benefits to join the Army. As a Nigerian, apart from service to the country, what else does the soldier benefit during and after service?
“As we speak, I know how much would be paid to my family if I pass on in the line of duty, my kids will also get educational assistance as well as my wife. I believe the Nigeria Army needs to do more for her soldiers.
While urging the Nigerian Government to scale up funding for the Nigerian military, he blamed tribalism and nepotism as one of the country’s drawbacks.
“Also, we all know the level of tribalism and nepotism involved for an average Nigerian to join the army particularly through the Nigerian Defense Academy.”
We all admire the US Army as the most organized and strongest army in the world and how they will go all out to protect their own, with an estimated 334million population size, the US budgeted $715bn for the Pentagon in its 2022 fiscal year. Also, the US Army recruits a targeted number of persons into its fold no matter if it’s in an ongoing war or not.
“Compare that to the estimated 214milion population of Nigeria with a budget of N579billion as approved by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning for the 2022 fiscal year, you will find out that we have a long way to go.
“Amidst the prevailing security challenges in the country, the Nigeria Army needs to do more in terms of budget funding, welfare and personnel joining its ranks to actually combat its current challenges”, he stated.
