Special Forces Battalion Wins Defense Minister’s Cup

CHISINAU, October 25, 2012 — Fulger Special Forces Battalion won the Defense Minister’s Cup for the best infantry, scout and special forces specialist during an event held October 22-25 at Bulboaca Military Training Ground.

Special Forces Battalion won the first place, followed by the 22^nd Peacekeeping Battalion and Moldova Brigade.

The winner was awarded the Defense Minister’s Cup by Deputy Minister of Defense Igor Panfile. The winners of the second and third places were given diplomas and medals.

Deputy Minister of Defense Igor Panfile said during the awarding ceremony that for service members and conscripts, the Defense Minister’s Cup represents a competition revealing the participants’ special skills and physical training. “I congratulate the service members that have proved high performances during the contest. What you proved here today will be definitely taken into consideration in the rank promotion process”, Igor Panfile said.

According to LTC Leonid Cazacov, Joint Training and Doctrine Division of the National Army Main Staff, during the Defense Minister’s Cup, the participants competed in a few areas such as: sniper, rifleman, grenadier, machine-gunner and scout. The event also determined the best commanders of group, platoon and company.

Cazacov says the competition is held yearly and is meant to improve the professional level of the National Army service members.

This year, the Defense Minister’s Cup brought together about 40 specialists from five military units of the National Army.