A policy staff member from the Department of Defence has achieved a significant milestone by obtaining a Master’s degree in Military and Defence Studies, marking a historic achievement as the first civilian personnel from the PNG Defence Organisation to attain such a prestigious qualification from the Australian Defence College.
Hosea Bandy successfully graduated on December 8, 2023, in Canberra, Australia, along with six other members of the PNG Defence Organization.
Among the graduates were Lieutenant Colonel John Giregire, Lieutenant Colonel Mark Kellerton, and Commander Willie Galia, who completed the Defence and Strategic Studies Course (DSSC), while Major Ezron Dekaetavara and Major Deleni Rida graduated with Masters and Diplomas under the Australian Command Staff Course (ACSC).
Bandy’s achievement is credited to Secretary Hari John Akipe’s vision, integrating the Olgeta Department initiative with the PNGDF’s Olgeta Series under the traditional PNG-Australia Defence Cooperation Program (DCP).
Akipe congratulated Bandy for his unprecedented achievement and anticipated his return to Murray Barracks in 2024.
He highlighted the valuable skills Bandy would bring back to the Department, contributing to defence policy and capability enhancement.
Reflecting on his experience, Bandy emphasized the practitioner-focused nature of the course, requiring engagement with learning materials and active participation with military personnel, an aspect challenging for civilians without operational experience.
PNG Defence Advisor to Australia, Colonel Siale Diro, recognized Bandy’s accomplishment, noting his achievement at a military college and acknowledging him as the “first Department of Defence staff to have passed the Staff College, earning a Master’s in Defence Policy and Capability Development.”
