Chief Adviser (CA) Professor Muhammad Yunus on Sunday officially inaugurated the Navy and Air Force Selection Board-2025 at Navy Headquarters in Dhaka, launching the annual promotion process for mid-to-senior ranking officers in both services.

The board will consider promotions from Navy Captain to Commodore, Commander to Captain, Lieutenant Commander to Commander, and from Air Force Group Captain to Air Commodore, Wing Commander to Group Captain, and Squadron Leader to Wing Commander.

Comprised of top-ranking military officials, the board will identify officers qualified for future leadership roles, subject to government approval.

The ceremony began with a moment of silence in memory of those who died in the recent tragic plane crash at Milestone School and College. In his address, Prof Yunus paid tribute to the fallen heroes of the 1971 Liberation War and to those who sacrificed their lives during the July-August 2024 mass uprising. He also lauded the Navy and Air Force’s longstanding role in disaster response, law enforcement, and national development.

Highlighting national priorities, the Chief Adviser emphasized the forces’ contributions to marine resource management, deep-sea port operations, and the expansion of the blue economy. He noted that the establishment of the Maheshkhali Integrated Development Authority (MIDA) is a critical step toward achieving these goals.

Prof Yunus urged the board to select leaders who are “patriotic, professional, morally upright, humane, and visionary,” and called for continued modernisation of the Navy and Air Force to meet evolving national challenges. He also stressed their continued role in supporting constitutional governance, education, and crisis management.

Welcoming the Chief Adviser, Navy Chief Admiral M Nazmul Hassan and Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan expressed gratitude for his guidance and involvement. They reaffirmed their commitment to selecting officers based on merit, integrity, and leadership potential.

The event was attended by senior military and civil officials. At its conclusion, the Chief Adviser planted a sapling on the Navy Headquarters premises as a symbolic gesture for the growth and prosperity of the country and its armed forces.