President Koroma disclosed that the CDS came in at a time when they expect nothing else but the sustainability of the systems and that the men and women be motivated fully so that their [women] effort will be seen in the performance of the women.
The President charged the newly decorated CDS John Edson Milton that he should ensure that the military contributed one battalion to Peace Keeping mission but that he (CDS) should ensure that this increases to two battalions.
He hoped that during his tenure he would improve the barracks for the military men and women even though the government has started with the construction of new barracks but more needed to be constructed.
President Koroma also called on the CDS to concentrate on the agricultural sector which will help the country in agriculture; stressing also on the area of engineering, the President said the military should engage in engineering wherein they will be capable of working not only for the military but they will be able to compete with other companies both nationally and internationally.
On the 34 military hospital, the President hoped that this wing be developed to become a medical outfit that will participate in UN mission on its own and for the hospital to stand as the only hospital in the country as in other countries.
The president said this is a great and ambitious task “but with your background: professional, military and others you will be up to the task.”
In his response, in a cheerful mood, Lieutenant General John Edson said that “it is with deep humility and great pride and humility, in the wake of those great Generals of our history who have stood here before; with pride in the realisation that the mother of all history has been made,” he said the day marks the turning point of his career “having attained the highest position in my career”.
He assured the President that he will not fail as he has started working on some of the tasks and on the Peace Keeping mission as he said the United Nations Advisory Team was in the country for assessment and they are pleased with what the military has done and because of that they [military] have been promoted to step two in the process.
On his promotion and appointment, he said this is an additional responsibilities; ”I promise you and the people of this country that by the Grace of God I will not fail in  my responsibility to serve you and the people of this country”.
He thanked the President “for giving me hope when I was seeking for one. When I was sick, His Excellency promoted me and sent me to India for treatment. I came back revitalised, he had really prepared the stage for me”.
The CDS also thanked his predecessor, Lt. Gen (Rtd) SO Williams for “steering the ship to this point, I will carry on the steering with the valued addition to ensure we do not relapse on those things that may cry us down, but to embark on those things that will make us better”.
He also urged the officers, men and women of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) as he said this is a promotion and an appointment “is duly yours. You facilitated this day, I therefore urge that we work together to promote RSLAF.”
He also thanked his family as he said “the Milton family, God has indeed favoured you to be part of the history of RSLAF. Our history has inevitably been part of the nation’s history”.