Nearly five decades ago, a group of young men answered a common call to serve their nation. They entered military training together, endured its demands side by side and began journeys that would eventually take them across different formations, appointments, professions and corners of the world. Forty-seven years later, that shared beginning continues to bind the veteran officers of Cadets Intake 10 of 1979.
The veterans reunited at the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC) under the theme “One Call, Many Journeys,” celebrating a comradeship forged through military training, strengthened by years of service and sustained long after their active military careers.
Led by Major General (Rtd) M. Oyugi, the reunion brought together former cadets whose individual paths may have diverged over the decades, but whose shared history remains firmly rooted in the experiences that shaped them as young officers.
At the heart of their story are the two original cadet platoons — Ndovu and Twiga — whose identities remain powerful symbols of their formative years. Ndovu represents strength, endurance and enduring memory, while Twiga embodies vision, perspective and the ability to look beyond the immediate horizon. Together, these qualities capture the character of a generation of officers whose careers were shaped by duty, resilience, leadership and service to the nation.
For Intake 10, the reunion was more than an opportunity to reconnect. It was a journey back to the foundations of a brotherhood built through demanding training, shared hardships and the responsibility that came with wearing the uniform. Conversations rekindled memories of youthful ambition, challenging moments, professional milestones and experiences that defined their years of military service.
Time has since carried the veterans along different paths. Some continued their journeys through various military appointments before retirement, while others transitioned into civilian professions and new responsibilities. Geographic distance also separated many of them. Yet neither retirement nor the passage of time diminished the bond established when they first assembled as cadets in 1979.
The gathering also provided a solemn moment to remember colleagues who have since passed on. Their absence served as a reminder that the story of Intake 10 is not only preserved by those who gathered, but also by the memory and contribution of comrades whose lives formed part of their collective journey.
Amid reminiscences and renewed friendships, the veterans celebrated personal milestones, shared experiences from life beyond military service and reaffirmed relationships that have survived changing seasons. The reunion demonstrated how military comradeship often extends beyond the battlefield and barracks, becoming a lifelong connection anchored in shared values, experiences and sacrifice.
For younger generations of officers and service members, the story of Intake 10 offers a powerful lesson about the enduring character of military service. The friendships established during training can transcend ranks, appointments and careers, creating bonds that remain long after the uniform has been folded away.
Forty-seven years after answering one call, the members of Cadets Intake 10 of 1979 returned not simply to remember where their journeys began, but to celebrate the fellowship that accompanied them through nearly half a century.
Their careers took different directions. Their lives followed different paths. Their shared beginning, however, remains unchanged — one call, many journeys and one enduring comradeship.
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