IN a small but significant gathering held at UN House in Juba – South Sudan, Major Mark Komet, a dedicated member of Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF), was awarded the prestigious United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Force Commander’s Commendation for outstanding service during his deployment with the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan by Lieutenant General Mohan SUBRAMANIAN. This accolade is bestowed upon individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment, leadership, and impact in their roles, contributing significantly to the mission’s objectives.
During his deployment, Major Komet played a crucial role in facilitating trainings, coordinating patrols, writing reports, planning and leading critical operations as a military observer with the Force Protection Sector. Acknowledged by peers and superiors alike, he consistently exhibited professionalism, resilience, and a profound dedication to peacekeeping efforts in Unity State beset by conflict, political instability and humanitarian crises.
Major Mark Komet has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the mission’s success, exemplifying the core values and standards of the UN forces.
His actions have not only contributed to the safety and stability of the region but have also strengthened the bonds between peacekeepers, armed actors and the local communities a feat that made him unique amongst his colleagues of which he was recognised for by the UNMISS Force Commander.
The commendation gathering was witnessed by Deputy Chief Military Observer and staff officers from UN Headquarters in Juba, all gathered to honor this significant achievement. The atmosphere was one of pride as Major Komet humbly receive the commendation.
In his acceptance speech, Major Komet expressed gratitude for the recognition and emphasized the collective effort involved in their accomplishments. “I am deeply honored to receive this commendation, but it truly belongs to my entire unit,” he stated. “The teamwork and dedication of my colleagues have been instrumental in overcoming the challenges we faced. Together, we have made a meaningful difference in the lives of many especially in our area of responsibility to fulfil UNMISS primary mandate of Protection of Civilians.
Receiving UNMISS Force Commanders Commendation award has become the second highest recognition in Major Komet’s career path. He was the 2022 Divine Word University (DWU) Valedictorian, scoring the highest GPA in Master’s programme which was for the first time awarded to a Postgraduate student by DWU Academic Board.
The commendation serves as a testament to the critical role military personnel play in fostering peace and stability in conflict-affected areas worldwide. It highlights the dedication and sacrifices made by those serving under the United Nations banner, often in demanding and high-risk environments.
As Major Komet will return home soon, he looks forward to sharing the experiences and insights gained during the mission, contributing to the ongoing training and development of future peacekeeping forces. He plans to raise awareness about the importance of international peacekeeping efforts.
The Commander’s Commendation is a significant milestone in Major Komet’s career, reflecting both personal and professional growth achieved through the mission. It underscores the impact of individual contributions to broader peacekeeping objectives and the positive change that can be effected through commitment and collaboration.
Maj Komet wishes to thank his PNGDF superiors for the opportunity given to him to take up this mission. He acknowledged Australian Peacekeeping Training Centre in New Castle, Australia where he attended the initial pre-deployment training which prepared him well to take up the challenges in the mission. He also extends his gratitude towards his siblings and other family members who supported him in throughout his year of deployment.
