GDF must do more to aid in Guyana’s development -President Granger

The President said that the Force must do more; it must share the burden of building aerodromes, bridges, highways and stellings to improve transportation and contribute to bringing communities closer together.

GDF must do more to aid in Guyana’s development  -President Granger

President David Granger told the newly commissioned officers of the Standard Officers Course (SOC) No. 49 that they have a duty to constantly upgrade their skills and strive for higher learning particularly in the areas of modern science, technology and engineering so that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) can better serve the country.

He made these remarks at the Commissioning Parade held on Wednesday at Base Camp Ayanganna.

The President said that the Force must do more; it must share the burden of building aerodromes, bridges, highways and stellings to improve transportation and contribute to bringing communities closer together.

This responsibility, he said, is in line with Guyana’s national defence doctrine, which combines the gravity of defence with the necessity for development and which implies that all of the elements of national power; economic, military, political, social and technological, must be employed to reinforce defence and promote economic development.

“This doctrine means that the nation must be able to depend on an affordable but effective Force while counting on the cooperation of citizens in the event of a challenge to its territorial integrity,” he said.

Turning to the officers whom he referred to as the “face of the future”, the Commander-in-Chief said that the five core values; duty, discipline, identity, integrity and loyalty, with which they have been indoctrinated, will guide their service throughout their careers.

He said “the Officer Cadet School selects, trains and tests future officers. It graduates officers, who are expected to accumulate more field experience and to pursue higher education; who are expected to become exemplars of the defence doctrine, which forms the basis of Guyana’s military administration, organisation and operations”.

Second Lieutenant Francisco Choc from Belize was judged the best student and was awarded the Sword of Honour. He said that throughout the year of training he has learnt much more than he thought possible and that while it was physically and mentally rigorous, it was a rewarding experience which will help him tremendously in his military career when he goes back to his country.

The lone female in the batch, Second Lieutenant Brandi Johnson, who was also judged the runner up best student, said that even though she had a rough start, as the course progressed, she began to adapt to her environment and surmount her challenges. She pledged to stay focused, to push herself for higher academic training and to steadfastly follow command to get the job done. 

Second Lieutenant Caleb Rodriguez, another officer from the Belize Defence Force said that his experience over the past year has taught him that the human body is a lot stronger than people perceive it to be. “As long as you have the will-power and the mind power to push yourself to go beyond the limits that you’ve set for yourself, you can achieve great things,” he said.

Second Lieutenant Austin Buntin from the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force said that SOC No. 49 showed him the importance of team work and has equipped with skills that will benefit him in and out of the army. Second Lieutenant Berachah Garrett from Guyana said that his personal pledge as a newly commissioned officer is to carry out his duties with integrity. He added that when the time comes for him to be in command of a platoon, he will ensure that he leads by example and demonstrates the true meaning of patriotism.

You must be logged in to post a comment Login