Army Gate Mockery: Soldier’s Dismissal Upheld as ‘Fair and Timely’

Imagine standing at the bustling Republic Street in Valletta, the capital’s main thoroughfare, and hearing the echoes of laughter from a group of soldiers. But these aren’t the joyous chuckles of camaraderie; they’re the mocking jeers aimed at their own army gate. This was the scene that unfolded in late 2020, captured on video and shared widely on social media, sparking a chain of events that led to a court ruling this week.

The Mocking Incident

In the now-infamous video, a group of soldiers can be seen mimicking the army gate’s opening and closing mechanism, laughing as they imitate its creaking sounds. The incident, which took place outside the Army Museum in Fort St. Elmo, was met with outrage from the public and the army’s top brass alike. The soldier at the centre of the controversy, identified only as ‘SFC X’, was swiftly charged with conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline.

The Court’s Decision

This week, the Armed Forces Disciplinary Tribunal upheld SFC X’s dismissal from the army. The court ruled that the soldier’s actions were ‘prejudicial to good order and military discipline’, and that his dismissal was ‘fair and timely’. The ruling also noted that SFC X’s actions had brought the army into disrepute, damaging its reputation and undermining public confidence in the institution.

The court heard evidence that SFC X had been given several opportunities to apologise and make amends, but had failed to do so. It also took into account the widespread public outrage at the incident, with many Maltese people expressing their shock and disgust on social media and in the local press.

Reactions and the Way Forward

Reacting to the ruling, the Maltese Armed Forces released a statement reaffirming their commitment to upholding the highest standards of conduct and discipline. ‘We expect all our personnel to act in a manner that brings credit to the Armed Forces and upholds the values and standards we stand for,’ the statement read.

For SFC X, the ruling marks the end of a career in the army. Speaking to Hot Malta on condition of anonymity, a former colleague said, ‘He let his guard down, made a mistake, and now he’s paying the price. It’s a tough lesson, but a necessary one.’

As the army moves forward, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of discipline and respect within its ranks. The army has pledged to use this incident as a learning opportunity, reinforcing training on conduct and discipline for all personnel.

In a final statement, the Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Jeffrey Curmi, said, ‘We will not tolerate behaviour that brings our institution into disrepute. We are here to serve and protect Malta, and we will do so with the utmost professionalism and respect.’