Speaking at the official opening of the exercise, Morake challenged the soldiers to prove they can march long distances carrying battle loads through difficult terrain and still fight effectively upon arriving at the objective."I am reliably informed that there are 18 teams which will participate in this competition. I expect all the teams to complete all the phases of the competition with the same zeal and enthusiasm that they started with.Furthermore, I urge each one of you to compete and not to only participate," said Morake. He told the soldiers that the exercise included a team from South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and observers from the US Marines.Morake said the SANDF brought observers in 2010 and they are ready to beat BDF soldiers at their game.
When speaking at the official opening of the exercise Major Watipa Abel, who is the coordinator of the exercise, said he hopes that next year they may have more than one unit from SANDF and even the region. He said that would improve the spirit of competition and the level of fitness of their defence personnel."The aim of Exercise Toughmen is to inculcate team spirit, judge the level of endurance and skill at arms of all the units of the BDF" said Able. He said the exercise have a number of objectives among them validating the level of proficiency of participating units in physical fitness, small arms firing and obstacle crossing. Validate their level of mental robustness and endurance as well as to instil and enhance the spirit of team work, confidence, aggressiveness, ability and will to win under pressure.
