Top brass warns buddy buddies won’t get officers a higher rank

Santo Domingo.- The Armed Forces Minister yesterday warned that politicians’ lists or business cards with recommendations to promote members of the military will not be accepted, referring to February 27, the traditional date when the military are promoted in ranks.

Sigfrido Pared revealed that during his first tenure as Minister (2004-2006) he rejected recommendations for promotions, and also ordered five days of arrest of those who sought to benefit from political connections.

The official said this time will be no different, for which any military who doesn’t meet the rank’s requirement will have trouble attaining it.

Pared, interviewed by listin.com.do accompanied by the chiefs of Staff of the three branches, said one of his dreams is to achieve the military’s institutionalization. "You go to a Central American country and you will not see a captain who doesn’t know a military unit. A captain must meet the rigor to be captain. Then that’s the part which we have to work on."