Forty-three years after the war, the Argentine State is responding to a historic debt, to an administrative silence that tarnished the feat of men who, at just 18 years old and with minimal education, demonstrated ferocity and leadership worthy of the highest military honor in the Malvinas War.

Through Resolution 837/2025 of the Ministry of Defense and Presidential Decree No. 249/25 , this oblivion was broken and 38 of these heroes were elevated to the rank of Reserve Second Lieutenants .

This act of justice is not just a formality; it is the epic vindication of the Reserve Officer Candidates (ROAs) , the young conscripts selected for command roles, whose valor in combat exceeded all expectations and remained, undeservedly, outside of official recognition for more than four decades.

The Legend of the "Bote" Section: Estévez and his AORs

Decree 249/2025 , in justifying this recognition, names a case that is synonymous with indomitable courage: the First Section ("Bote") of Company "C" of the 25th Infantry Regiment . AOR soldiers under the command of the legendary Lieutenant Roberto Néstor ESTÉVEZ , "Toto" , an officer whose temperance and respect for his men forged an elite combat unit.

On the night of May 28, 1982 , near Darwin, these young AORs, guided by the unwavering energy of Estevez, fought with a ferocity that has become etched in history. On that titanic day, they fought alongside professional troops, inflicting significant casualties on the enemy. The climax of their heroism came when they faced the British forces, killing several of their men, including Colonel H. Jones , commander of the 2nd Parachute Battalion.

These AORs, who had received reserve officer training, fought with such discipline and courage that they received decorations such as "For Military Merit" and "For Valor in Combat." However, the State, until now, had denied them the formal rank their performance earned with blood and fire on the front lines.

Balance of Honor and Moral Debt

The measure, signed by Minister Luis Petri , includes those who fell in combat ( "post mortem" ) and those who died subsequently, extending the hand of the Homeland to their families. "Each recognition reaffirms the State's commitment to the memory, honor, and respect for our Malvinas heroes," stated the Ministry of Defense.

The recognition, while symbolic and without direct budgetary impact, has immeasurable moral value . It ends 43 years of silence, dignifying the military role of those who were the nerve center and leader of the Argentine companies in 1982. The Malvinas AORs are no longer just "ex-soldiers" or "ex-combatants"; they are formally Reserve Second Lieutenants , a rank earned in the heat of battle.

Resolution 837/2025 instructs the continuation of the search in military archives, opening the door to expanding this list of 38 pioneers. Today, the Nation pays a debt of honor to the youth who gave their lives and courage for the most important national cause, ensuring that their legacy is not a mere memory, but an official rank engraved in the history of the Malvinas Islands. Honor and Glory to the Reserve Second Lieutenants of the Malvinas Islands!