2 weeks Ago By Miriam Zarriga
DOROTHY Polewara said she had “no regrets” when she put her career on hold to run the household while her husband and just promoted Commander of PNG Defence Force, Rear Admiral Philip Polewara was moving up the ranks. Speaking to Post Courier after the formal announcement of the promotion last Friday, Dorothy glanced over at her husband and with her voice trembling said “it was a surprise to get the call” but she never had a doubt that her husband would rise to the top one day. “Rear Admiral Polewara is a tough man who often kept his personal life at arms length while dealing with military issues well into the night” Mrs Polewara said.
“(But) we are a military family and we understand his work so we are proud of his achievement,” she added. Polewara has served the PNGDF for more than 30 years and is recognised as a senior member of the force. He is a graduate of the United States Naval Command and Staff College, United States Joint Forces College, National Defence University, and United States Naval War College.
He holds a Masters Degree in Liberal Arts with a Major in International Relations from Salve Regina University, Rhode Island. Rear Adm was recently promoted to Deputy Commander in 2021, after gaining attention as the PNGDF Chief of Staff. He was promoted as Commodore while serving under former Commander Brig Gen Gilbert Toropo.
When speaking with the media, Rear Admiral Polewara said that he learned from his years with the PNGDF and he is grateful for having served under various commanders. “The work we continue has been started by those before us,” he said..
