The Duntroon Sword

In the tradition of the Royal Military College Duntroon, the Australian Ambassador to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, His Excellency Mr Matthew Anderson, himself a Duntroon graduate, presented the prestigious Duntroon Sword to 2nd Lieutenant Wahidullah Zazai.

"I have the privilege to present the Duntroon Sword to the outstanding cadet and graduate from Kandak [Battalion] One," Mr Anderson said.

"The sword represents the tradition of arms.

"It also represents strength, and as the Duntroon Sword of Honour, it binds this Academy forever with the name of the Royal Military College in Canberra."

"Duntroon, like this Academy, owes its birth to the proud traditions of the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst and like this academy, we took the best of its standards, the most tested of traditions, and we made them our own."

Wahidullah joined the Afghan National Army eight years ago, five of which were spent as an infantry soldier in Commando Kandaks.

He now has the role of Commando Company Commander well within his sights.

The spirited 2nd Lieutenant said it was a great honour to receive the award.

"I am just so happy, so happy and thankful to receive this great honour and to have my brother and my family here to see this parade and how proud we are of what we’ve achieved," he said.

Australian Defence Force personnel are deployed across Afghanistan in a variety of roles in Operation High Road, Australia's contribution to the NATO-led Resolute Support mission.

Resolute Support is focused on training, advising and assisting the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces and Afghan security institutions at the operational, institutional and ministerial levels.