Kenya Army Sergeant Major WO 1 Hamud Said shared a gripping story when he volunteered to wade into crocodile-infested waters to recover a lost G3 rifle and other ammunition.
This was after one of his colleagues dropped the items during a training exercise in Narosura, Narok County.
"I was taking part in the Merchant Shoot competition when a member of my company dropped his rifle and a Light Machine Gun (LMG) barrel in a section of the river teeming with crocodiles,
"Two days after returning to camp, I approached the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) and volunteered to head back to locate and retrieve the lost items," he narrated.
Once granted permission to embark on his daring mission, he took a handful of his trusted colleagues and headed back to Narosura.
Armed with metal pipes, the army men caused a ruckus on the riverbanks by smashing rocks, which forced the crocodiles to flee deep into the river.
However, Hamud still had to risk his limbs and life as he waded through the murky waters for hours in search of the missing gear.
After several intense hours filled with the clanking sound of metal pipes on rocks and the army officer searching the floor of the river with his bare hands, he finally felt something.
This turned out to be the buttstock of the G3 rifle, and he soon found the missing barrel as well.
Having enlisted in the military in 1979, the charismatic Hamud only dreamed of attaining the coveted rank of Corporal.
However, he ended up surpassing his goal as being the Warrant Officer 1 means the senior most enlisted non commissioned officer in the Kenya Army Service.
Below is a detailed break down of the various rankings in the KDF.
Non-Commissioned Officers
Private: This is the lowest rank among none commissioned officers. One attains it after graduating at KDF training school.
Corporal: The second rank which an officer attains after three years in service.
Sergeant: Officers of this rank must have worked in service for up to eight years.
Senior Sergeant: Those with the rank must have worked in military for up to 10 years. They are in charge of up to 50 officers.
Warrant Officer II: Distinguished officers with the rank are usually in charge of training and work closely with Majors.
Warrant Officer I: This is the highest rank among none Commissioned officers. An officer in this rank is involved in critical decision making.
Commissioned Officers
These are officers who join military as cadets. They start their training at Kenya Military Academy in Lanet.
Cadets: A rank they hold immediately after training in Lanet. They are junior officers among commissioned officers.
Second Lieutenant: The position held by the officer after two years of graduation from KMA
Lieutenant: Officers holding this rank must have served for around three to five years.
Captain: Those in this category, must have served up to six years. They are usually in charge of up to 50 officers.
Major: Officers holding the rank must have served up to eight years. They are usually involved in decision making process.
Lieutenant-Colonel: These are officers who can be charge of up to 600 troops.
Colonel: They serve as staff in KDF. Must have been trained in Defense Staff College.
Brigadier: To become a Brigadier, one must have served to at least 12 years and shown excellence in service. They are in charge of brigades and battalions.
Major General: They are in charge of promotions in military and at times are called two-star generals. Some can be promoted as service commanders.
Lieutenant- General: The second highest rank in military. They are at times called three-star generals. Those with the post can be Vice Chief of Defense Forces, Service commander in Army of those in charge of National Defense College.
General: The highest rank in Kenya Military structure. Only one person can hold the position at the time. He's a four star general and in charge of KDF.
Watch Kenya Army Sergeant Major WO 1 Hamud Said below:
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