Best calls for better resources for GDF

Best calls for better resources for GDF

Former Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Rear Admiral Gary Best wants to see more resources being channeled to the GDF. On Tuesday afternoon Rear Admiral Best officially said goodbye to the Guyana Defence Force at a parade that was hosted in his honor.

He said he is proud of his service to Guyana and the military. He called for the work of the military not to be taken for granted and for more resources to be dedicated to the development of the Defence Force.

Rear Admiral Best also asked for special attention to be paid to the GDF’s aviation and maritime areas. He noted that “it is critical that a constant and sharp eye be placed on aviation and maritime development to provide faster access to our forest and remote areas for protection and hydro carbon security”.

The former Chief of Staff a need exists for “a re-rationalization, re-prioritization and a re-allocation of key resources” are needed for the defence and security sectors”.

Rear Admiral Gary Best took over the command of the Guyana Defence Force in 2007 and over the past six years he has led several initiatives to modernize the Defence Force and institute new policies that catered for the rights of serving members.

Best told the gathering at his Camp Ayanganna farewell that he had no regrets and if given the opportunity, he would do it all over again. He encouraged officers to be good leaders and to encourage the troops under their command to better themselves.

He challenged the officers to be guided by key principles admonishing them that they “must always ensure that your moral compass points to fairness, justice and compassion. A popular leader tells his troops what they want to hear but a good leader tells his troops what they need to hear”. Regular ranks were told to be focused and remain disciplined that they carry out their duties.

Mr. Best encouraged his successor, Brigadier Mark Phillips, to let professionalism be his guide reminding the new Chief of Staff that his “greatest test is not where you stand in the good moments but where you stand in the time of challenge and controversy”. He told him that he would need to stand and hold his ground.

Rear Admiral Best who is also an attorney at law served the Guyana Defence force for 33 years. He became the first best graduating student of the standard officers course to rise to office of Chief of staff. Brigadier Mark Phillips has taken over as the new Chief of staff of the Guyana Defence Force.

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