BRIEF HISTORY
The First Infantry Battalion (1Bn) with its headquarter in Schiefflin, Margibi County, was the first unit in the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) to be activated. The Bn was activated on 29 August 2008 at the Barclay Training Center as the result to improve the capacity of the 23rd Infantry Brigade to participate in external and internal security operations, disaster relief and humanitarian activities and to counter perceived threats within our borders. As mentioned, the Bn has been successful in implementing her duties.
Since its establishment, the unite has assiduously been discharging its assigned responsibilities and have been involved in several Low Intensive Conflict Operations, United Nations Missions, Cordon and Search, Routine and Special Patrol tasks, Check Points, Escort duties and amongst other operations.
Significant successes have been achieved by the Bn since its inception in areas such as: Discipline, AWOL, MOS Qualification, Accommodation, Welfare and Self Development. Just like any other infantry (Inf) units, the Bn Motto is “Defence Life Liberty and Peace Hua”. This motto came from the unique background of its duties and responsibilities as stated above.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
Units. The Battalion is composed of five companies namely Alpha (A), Bravo (B), Charlie (C), Combat Support Company (CSC) and Headquarters and Headquarters Company (CSC). A, B, and C are lines companies while HHC and CSC are support and administrative companies respectively. They are all co-located at Edward Binyah Kesselly Military Barracks (EBK).
Personnel. Currently, the Bn has an Operational Strength of 374 personnel of all ranks. (19 x Officers, 323x NCOs, 16x Cpl, 15x Pfc and 1 x pvt). This means that the Bn is under strength and it need 272x personnel to meet the authorized strength as per the new Modified Structure of Organization and Equipment (MSOE). However, the Bn is managing the situation until it can meet the require personnel strength.
ORGANIZATION
Staff Organization. Staffs at every echelon of command are structured differently, but every staff has some commonalities. The basic model for all staff structure and organization must have an authorize document to reflect an organizational structure supportable by meaning and equipping system. 1Bn is not an exception to this. However, the Modified Structure of Organization and Equipment (MSOE) authorize two of the three basic models (Coordinating, Special and Personal) for all staff structure. The Commander (Cmdr), Executive Officer (XO) and two staff groups; Coordinating and Personal.
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
1Bn is one of the two Bn under the 23rd Inf Bde of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) to be established and activated in 2008. Initially, the Bn was composed of a Communication, Transportation and Maintenance platoons. Upon the establishment of the Logistics Command (Logcom) in 2008, those units were transferred leaving the Bn with three line companies, one support company and an administrative company.
The Bn history is derived from a long and colorful saga of courage, daring and outstanding leadership dated as far back as the formation of the 23rd Inf Bde under the mentorship of the Pacific Architecture Engineers (PAE) in 2008. The Bn was established base on the need and framework for the operation of a full Inf Bde. The Bn mission statement is “Quality Training Is the Best Welfare for Its Troops in Peace Time”. The Bn has the seal of the Republic of Liberia as its mascot and its original colors are yellow, blue, green, black and white.
LEADERSHIP
Leadership has been a feature of humanity since societies and settlements began to be formed. The United States Air Force Officers’ Guide defines leadership as “the art of influencing and directing people to accomplish a mission in such a manner as to command their respect, confidence and cooperation”. 1Bn has been blessed with great leaders who have in the past made significant impact to the lives of soldiers, the Units and the AFL in general. Currently the Bn is been commanded by Major Korboi B Sallie, acting Battalion Commander who took over from Major Ernest Appleton. The Bn executive officer is Major James Fahnbulleh and the Bn acting Sgt Major is Archie Wilson. The chronicle of command of the Bn is listed below:
| (a) |
(b) |
(c) |
(c) |
(d) |
(e) |
| 1 |
Lt Col |
Samuel Kofi Adorkor |
01 Jan 08 |
26 Aug 08 |
Ghanaian Army |
| 2 |
Maj |
Mustapha Jimoh |
26 Aug 08 |
26 Mar 09 |
Nigeria Army |
| 3 |
Maj |
KD Hagan |
26 Mar 09 |
27 Jun 09 |
Ghanaian Army |
| 4 |
Capt |
Max MZ Slogohoun |
27 Jun 09 |
14 Dec 09 |
Benin Army |
| 5 |
Maj |
Emmanuel S. Savice, Sr. |
14 Dec 09 |
12 Mar 10 |
|
| 6 |
Maj |
Andrew J. Wleh |
12 Mar 10 |
13 Aug 10 |
|
| 7 |
Maj |
Emmanuel S. Savice Sr. |
13 Aug 10 |
31 Dec 10 |
|
| 8 |
Capt |
Eric Wamu Dennis |
01 Jan 11 |
16 Apr 11 |
|
| 9 |
1Lt |
Foulton D. Kwayon |
16 Apr 11 |
15 Aug 11 |
|
| 10 |
1Lt |
Emmanuel D. Wesseh |
15 Aug 11 |
31 Jan 12 |
|
| 11 |
Capt |
Oyango M. Kole |
12 Feb 12 |
11 Jun 12 |
|
| 12 |
1Lt |
Emmanuel D. Wesseh |
11 Jun 12 |
18 Mar 13 |
|
| 13 |
Capt |
Eddie P. Lamptey |
05 Mar 13 |
25 Aug 14 |
|
|
| 14 |
Capt |
Tarold Y.W .Gabriel |
25 Aug 14 |
17 Nov 14 |
|
|
| 15 |
Capt |
Tarnue K. Forkpa |
14 Nov 14 |
05 Jan 16 |
|
| 16 |
Capt |
AJ Halley Moore |
05 Jan 16 |
15 May 16 |
|
| 17 |
Capt |
Eddie P. Lamptey |
16 May 16 |
23 Oct 16 |
|
| 18 |
Capt |
Thomas K. Nimely |
23 Oct 16 |
31 Dec 16 |
|
| 19 |
Capt |
Tarnue K. Forkpa |
03 Jan 17 |
18 Mar 17 |
Ag Comd |
| 20 |
Maj |
Thomas K. Nimely |
18 Mar 17 |
30 Dec 17 |
|
| 21 |
Capt |
Ernest AL Appleton |
14 Jan 18 |
31 Aug 17 |
|
| 22 |
Capt |
Tarnue K. Forkpa |
31 Aug 17 |
02 Jan 18 |
Ag Comd |
| 23 |
Maj |
Ernest AL Appleton |
18 Jan 18 |
01 Sep 19 |
|
| 24 |
Maj |
Tarnue K. Forkpa |
O1 Sep 19 |
13 Jan 20 |
Ag Comd |
| 25 |
Maj |
Ernest AL Appleton |
13 Jan 20 |
Nov 20 |
|
| 26 |
Maj |
Korboi B Sallie |
Jan 20 |
present |
AG Comd |
CHRONICLES OF COMMAND OF PAST AND PRESENT COMMANDERS
The Following individuals served as Commanders at the First Infantry Battalion as indicated against their names.
TRAINING GENERAL
Training continues to play a major role in helping instill core values that provides moral framework for the Bn to meet the physical, mental and security challenges. In view of this, the Bn has been conduct meaningful and realistic training in respect to the dynamic of military threats. The training focus has been on developing officers, NCOs and enlisted soldiers by perfecting their act of soldiering through Individual Skill Training, Peacekeeping and Communication. Others are Field Training Exercise (FTX), Command Post Exercise (CPX), Small Unit Tactics, Combat Medics, Para-legal and Military Intelligence, Conventional Warfare, Regular and Irregular Warfare.
It is also rewarding to note that since the establishment of the Bn, it has continued to benefit from foreign training course offered by friendly nations and organizations. These training have impacted positively on the capacity of our officers, NCOs and enlisted soldiers. These training include: Platoon Leader Training, Company Commander Training, Junior and Senior Staff Courses, Advanced NCOs Course, Airborne and some technical and professional training/course. In practical terms, the performances of the Bn over the years have greatly improved due to its involvement in several Internal Security Operations (ISO), Low Intensity Conflict Training, Law of Armed Conflict and Human Rights and Disaster Relief and Humanitarian Assistance Training are few to mention.
ACHIEVEMENTS
An organization certainly needs to appraise its performance and individual contributions to acknowledge their collective achievements. The Bn is not an exception to this. The Bn over the years has produced the past and current Deputy Chief of Staff, the first pilot in the AFL and the quarantine of the community of West Point during the Ebola Virus outbreak. The operational and tactical experiences of its officers, NCOs and Enlisted in their tremendous effort and participation in the discharge of their duties have improved the AWOL and discipline records of the Bn.
Civil Military Relationship. The Bn have established itself as the home of mutual relationship amongst the inhabitants and other Units that co- exist with her. Additionally, the relationship between the Bn and the Liberian National Police (LNP) have improved over the years and continued to be excellent and cordial.
Troops Welfare. The Bn so far has demonstrated a good sense of direction in the troop’s day to day activities and have remain committed to it. The Bn have got to realized that as part of its responsibility, she must listen, address and dialogue the immediate problems of its troops. Having been trained to perform other tasks rather than the act of war, the leadership of the Bn over the years has found solutions to soldier’s domestic issues especially in domestic violence, neglecting of their families and homes, non-persistent support of their spouses and children, settlement of motorcycles disputes with LNP and other several human related matters.
This method of approach by the Bn has brought some significant level of understanding between the soldiers and their families, friends and LNP. On the other hand, it has boosted the morale of the troops marking them to be creditable and responsible.
Operation. The Bn have benefited graciously from the operational experience of its troops both internal and internationally. The Bn however, has participated successfully in the following internal ops. They include:
- Army Readiness Training Evaluation Program (ARTEP)
- Operation Restore Hope I, II, III & IV
- Operation White Shield
- Operation United Assistance
- Operation Bold Wonderers
- Operation Guarded Storm
Others are:
- African Led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA)
- United Nations Multi-Dimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA)
As the first Units to be established and activated in the AFL, it’s composed five companies and staff structure that is co- located at EBK are the authorized organizational structure supported by the MSOE. The Bn history that is dated as far back as the formation of the 23rd inf bde, have achieved a significant success in the implementation of its responsibilities and duties.
Most importantly, the leadership over the years has focus in helping instill the core values, mental, physical and moral framework in perfecting their act of soldering through training and other act rather than war. The Bn on the other hand continues to benefit from UN mission, foreign and domestic training that is positively impacting the capacities of it officers, NCOs and enlisted in the discharge of their duties.
The leadership sense of direction in the troops day to day activities have addressed and resolved some immediate problems of the troops especially in settlement of disputes with LNP, non-persistent support of their spouse and children and other related human matters.
ACTING FIRST INFANTRY BATTALION COMMANDER
ACTING FIRST INFANTRY BATTALION COMMANDER
Major Sallie, Korboi Ballah was born on May 15, 1968 in Voinjama, Lofa County, Liberia. I started my primary education in Voinjama City, Lofa County. He graduated with a High School diploma and a West African Examination Council Certificate in 1987/1988 from the Assembly Of God High School Mission, Sinkor Old road, Monrovia, Liberia. Upon graduation, he enrolled at the University of Liberia and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics 1996/ 1997.
Upon his graduation from the University of Liberia, Major Sallie served as a classroom teacher at the Bishop Marwieh Institute in 1988, worked as a Revenue Agent at the Ministry of Finance in 2002, served as a Quality Control Officer for the Mohammed Groups of Companies in 2004, Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Instructor in 2005 at the Matadi Community High School and in 2007 worked as Project Officer for the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
Thereafter, Major Sallie was enlisted in the Armed Forces of Liberia on 8 March 2008 as a Private and was commissioned on 18 September 2008 as an Officer by the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia Her Excellency, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Major Sallie has attended the following courses: Initial Entry Training (IET), Camp Ware, 8 March 2008 – 25 April 2008; Advanced Individual Training (AIT), Camp Ware, 28 April 2008 – 23 May 2008; Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course (BNOC), Camp Ware, 26 May 2008 – 20 June 2008 and Officer Candidate School (OCS), Barclay Training Center (BTC), Monrovia, 23 June – 1 August 2008.
Apart from courses listed above, he attended other local courses and seminars on Civil Military Coordination (CIMIC) 2009, Military-to-Military Exchange Seminar 2009, Indirect Fire Basic Course 2009, Military Decision Making Process course 2011, Operational Law 2011 and Company Commander Course.
Currently, Major Sallie is serving as Commanding Officer for the 1st Infantry Battalion, Armed Forces of Liberia. His most important job is to have total control over the staff through the battalion executive officer and the companies through the company commanders, while maintaining the final approval authority in the battalion chain of command.
Listed below are some of my areas and activities in running the 1st Infantry Battalion:
- Build an effective chain of command and develops a favorable command environment in the battalion.
- Supervises, provides guidance and direction for the battalion staff officers in ensuring all activities and training are planned, coordinated and executed efficiently.
- Responsible for all battalion activities.
- Supervising all tasks assigned to the staff.
- Responsible for everything that the battalion does or fails to do.
CIVILIAN EDUCATION
The below national and international civilian educations were obtained:
1996 Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics, Capitol Hill, University of Liberia
2016 Certificate, Public Sector Management, University of Sierra Leone
MILITARY EDUCATION
I have attended the following military courses:
2018 Certificate, Senior Staff Course, Bangladesh
2017 Certificate, Senior Command and Staff Training, Sierra Leone
2016 Certificate, Junior Staff Course, Sierra Leone
2014 Certificate, Combat Team Commanders Course, Ghana
2012 Diploma, Special Operation Platoon Commander Shijiazhuang, China
SEMINARS ATTENDED
The following national and international seminars attended are:
2017 Certificate, Battalion Command Post Exercise, Bamako, Mali
2016 Certificate, International Humanitarian Law, EBK Barracks, Liberia
2016 Certificate, Integration of International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law into ECOWAS Standby Force’s Training and Operations, Abuja, Nigeria
2011 Certificate, Military Decision Making Process, EBK Barracks, Liberia
2011 Certificate, Advanced Military Investigations, United States Defense Institute of International Legal Studies, Monrovia, Liberia
2011 Certificate, Operational Law, United States Defense Institute of International Legal Studies, Liberia
2010 Certificate, Civil Military Coordination (CIMIC), UNMIL Training Head Quarter, Monrovia, Liberia
2009 UCMJ Formularization Seminar, Barclay Training Center, Monrovia, Liberia
2009 Human Right and International Humanitarian law, Monrovia, Liberia
2009 Operational Risk Management, EBK Barracks, Liberia
APPOINTMENT
Appointments held are as follow:
2021 Jan Acting First Infantry Battalion Commander
2019 Second Infantry Battalion Commander
2017 1st Infantry Battalion, Executive Officer
2017 Acting Battalion Commander, 2nd Infantry Battalion
2015/2016 Operation Officer, 2nd Infantry Battalion
2013 Company Commander, Combat Support Company, 2nd Infantry Battalion
2010 Company Commander, Charlie Company, 2nd Infantry Battalion
2008 4th Platoon Leader, Alpha Company, 2nd Infantry Battalion
AWARD
2017 Best Allied Student, Senior Command and Staff Training 2017, Horton Academy, Freetown, Sierra Leone
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
The below are the effective dates of promotion:
1 April 2018 Major
1 April 2013 Captain
10 December 2010 First Lieutenant
23 August 2008 Second Lieutenant
