On Saturday, August 19, the Agulhas Negras Military Academy (AMAN) held a ceremony to hand over the rapiers to the first-year cadets of the General Rodrigo Octávio class.
Conceived by Marshal José Pessoa and held since 1932, the ceremony represents a milestone in the careers of the young cadets who, after 20 months of training, wear AMAN’s historic uniform for the first time, the traditional “azulão”. The rapier is a miniature replica of the undefeated sword of Duke Caxias, patron of the Brazilian Army, and can only be worn by AMAN cadets, who receive it as a symbol of military honor.
This year’s ceremony was presided over by the Minister of State for Defense, José Múcio Monteiro Filho, and was also attended by the Commander of the Army, General Tomás Miguel Miné Ribeiro Paiva, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Defense, Luiz Henrique, the Commander of the Air Force, Lieutenant Brigadier Damasceno, the former Commanders of the Army, Army General Enzo and Army General Arruda, STM Minister Army General Farias, CML Commander Army General Novaes, CMSE Commander Army General Amin, DECEx Chief Army General Richard and Army General Carlos Machado, accompanied by various military and civilian authorities from the executive, legislative and judicial branches.
In a very impressive ceremony, attended by the cadets’ families and friends, 387 young men from all regions of Brazil and nine friendly nations (Bolivia, Cameroon, Guyana, Namibia, Paraguay, Peru, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal and Vietnam) received their swords, confirming their titles as Caxias cadets.
As part of the ceremony, the Sword that was donated by the Brazilian people to the Duke of Caxias after the Triple Alliance campaign was placed in a prominent place in the graduation courtyard, being carried by the most distinguished cadet of the current 3rd year, Cadet Pedro Henrique Conegatto do Amaral.
The Commander of AMAN, General Felipe, greeted those present and praised the importance of the moment: “The rapier that you are receiving today is the symbol that represents the integration of responsibilities and the civic ideals of the Brazilian cadet. It is a reproduction of the glorious sword of the Duke of Caxias, from whose steel the bonds of national unity were forged. Only the cadets of Caxias have the right to carry the rapier, and they have the duty to do so with honor and dignity, being the faithful guardians of our most cherished traditions,” he said.
The Minister of Defense handed over the rapier to the first cadet of the class, Cadet Marcelo Fabricio Nocchi, 25, from Porto Alegre, RS. The cadets then received their rapiers from their godmothers and godfathers, in a moment of great emotion for everyone.
Former AMAN veteran, Mr. Davi de Jesus, Cadet Kelvin’s father, was moved to tears as he recalled his journey, which motivated his son to become an Agulhas Negras Cadet. “I served the Army here at AMAN. I was a soldier and corporal in the Agulhas Negras Battalion. Returning to the Academy and today having the opportunity to hand over the Sword to him is a unique opportunity.” The feeling of the importance of the moment for the cadets was summed up by his son. “I still have a long journey ahead of me. But to be here today receiving the rapier from my father, who is a military and personal reference for me, is an honor.”
After handing over the rapiers, the Minister of Defense also addressed those present. “I declare to you, ladies and gentlemen, that I am proud to be here, in this remarkable ceremony, as Minister of Defense. You will be the commanders of battalions, groups and regiments in times to come. Some of you will be the generals of the second half of the century. Identify now the magnitude, but also the responsibility that you will face in the years to come. “
Congratulations to the members of the General Rodrigo Otávio Class for yet another achievement in their training and preparation for the officerate!