Over 800 apply to join Guyana Defence Force

The Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Mark Phillips has indicated that he is very upbeat about the development of the GDF.

Brigadier Phillips is heartened with the response of over 800 youths who have indicated that they want to build a career in the Guyana Defence Force. The GDF has announced that for its first recruitment cycle for 2014, one hundred persons submitted applications to be trained as Officers on the Standard Officers Course #47, while another 700 youths have applied to be trained as solders on the Basic Recruit Course.

According to the GDF, “forty-eight potential officer cadets are at present completing their assessments. This includes those who will be selected for training at US military institutions during 2014.”

Additionally, four hundred and seventeen of the recruits, who have passed the entrance examination, are completing documentation. They will also complete a physical fitness examination, before being sent on training, the GDF advised.

The Chief of Staff said the “GDF will continue to offer a robust and stable environment in which the youths of Guyana can find a place not only to develop personally, but, more importantly, as professionals to serve the GDF and Guyana.”

“Joining the Guyana Defence Force is all about building your careers and during your service, we will utilise the Academic Education Programme and offer opportunities to develop trade skills, through technical education and vocational training within the GDF and at the GTIC, GTI, and other training institutions,” Brigadier Phillips said.

Just after taking office in 2013, Brigadier Phillips promised to improve the professionalism of the Guyana Defence Force. Many members of the GDF are high in praise of his leadership over the past few months and have said they are seeing real changes ahead for the military and how it operates.