| Major General Moosa Ali Jaleel | |
|---|---|
Maj. Gen Jaleel (then Brig.) at the Pacific Armies Management Seminar in Fiji |
|
| Nickname | Jaleel / CO |
| Born | June 26, 1960 |
| Allegiance | Maldives |
| Service/branch | Maldives National Defence Force |
| Rank | Major General |
| Commands held | Chief of Defence Force Vice Chief of Defence Force Commanding General - Rapid Reaction Force Director General - Coast Guard Commanding Officer - Quick Reaction Force I & II & III Commanding Officer - Special Protection Group Commanding Officer - Maldives National Cadet Corps |
| Battles/wars | 1988 Maldives Coup |
| Awards |
Medal for Exceptional Bravery (Huravee Ran Medal) Dedicated Service Medal Medal of Good Conduct Centenary Medal Long Service Medal Purple Heart Medal (Jihaadhuge Raiy Medal) |
Major General Moosa Ali Jaleel RM HRM MSc ndc psc is the current Chief of Defence Force of the Maldives and most senior military officer in the country.[1] He is frequently cited as the most highly trained and capable military officer in the country. People who are knowledgeable about the November 3rd 1988 incident and Maj. General Jaleel's bravery and dedicated action that day hold him in the highest regard and respect.[2][3]
Maj. General Moosa Jaleel was appointed to the post of Chief of Defence Force on the 18th November 2008 by the President HE Mohamed Nasheed.[4]
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Maj. General Jaleel was born on 26 June 1960 in Malé, Maldives. He completed his secondary schooling at Majeediyya School.
Maj. General Jaleel has the distinction of having been trained at various UK, US and Indian Military Institutes:
In addition, Maj. General Jaleel holds a Master of Philosophy, M.Phil. and a Master of Science Degree in Defence and Strategic Studies, M.Sc from the University of Madras India. He also attends the Pacific Armies Management Seminar (PAMS) organized by the United States Pacific Command.
He has commanded all front line infantry units in the MNDF including the Rapid Reaction Force (RRF), Quick Reaction Force III (QRF 3), Quick Reaction Force I (QRF I), Special Protection Group (SPG) and has also served as the Director General of Maldivian Coast Guard. He was the first Maldivian to initiate infantry oriented training in Maldives. He trained a large amount MNDF personnel and also served as the Commanding Officer of the Maldives National Cadet Corp.
He enjoys a tremendous amount of public as well as soldiers support and is expected to re-organize and restructure the MNDF as a mission oriented armed force. His experience in various MNDF Units as well as the broad knowledge and wide range of skills makes him a great asset to MNDF and the Maldives.
Among his distinctions he's the first Maldivian to complete Officer Cadet training and the only Maldivian graduate of Singapore Armed Forces Officer Cadet School. The only Maldivian to undertake the UK Royal Marines All Arms Commando Course, as such he's entitled to wear the Commando badge of UK Royal Marines which is one of the world's most elite fighting forces. Furthermore he's the first Maldivian to accomplish Defence College / War College studies, which is the highest level of military studies attainable.
Maj. General Jaleel is one of the most highly decorated officers, with 10 Service Medals and 9 Service Ribbons for his exemplary leadership and distinguished service in the defence force.[5]
Maj. General Jaleel played a pivotal role in organizing and leading the defence of the NSS HQ during the attack. His military training and knowledge proved to be most valuable to the commanders at the NSS HQ. He received a bullet/shrapnel injury to his leg early on while retaliating to the attacker at the North-East corner of the Bandaara Koshi where the fighting was most intense but even with this injury he continued performing throughout the incident remarkably.[2]
His bravery and dedication are most notable as the Commander of the Recce patrol. The Recce patrol was an effort to venture of the NSS HQ which was under siege to retaliate and gather knowledge of the attacker. The first attempt was made to leave the HQ in buses with a tractor leading the way, this effort was aborted after the gate could not be opened as it was jammed due to damage. The second attempt was made through the Defence Ministry gate (then Police HQ gate) on foot. 11 soldiers with task force training volunteered for this mission. After being organized and briefed on the mission by Maj. Gen Jaleel (then Lt.), the patrol was addressed by Maj. Gen (Ret.) Mohamed Zahir (then Major) who was the leading Commander at the NSS HQ at the time.[2]
The patrol formed up on the half wall fronting the street then with Maj. Gen Jaleel, the commander at the lead of the patrol, ran out through the gate and along Ameeru Ahmed magu towards Huravee Building. Due to reasons unknown only 9 member were able to run out the gate with 2 members remaining inside. As the attackers noticed the patrol running out of the HQ they intensified the fire towards them and additionally a member of the patrol slipped and was unable to use his weapon to return fire which resulted in 3 member of the patrol being killed under fire. The remaining 6 members completed their mission and returned inside the base through the same gate.[2]
The mission is undoubtedly the most daring in the modern military history of the country. The soldiers who volunteered for the mission undertook it with full knowledge that they were venturing out a HQ which was under siege and into the hail of bullets from the attackers. And Maj. Gen Jaleel holds a legendary status in the MNDF as the commander who led this mission.[2]
Maj. General Jaleel is married to Mrs. Jazeela Ibrahim. He has 5 children, with 1 from the current marriage and 4 from previous marriages.
| Preceded by Mohamed Zahir |
Chief of Defence Force (Maldives) 2008–present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |