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Parkinson Best Graduating Student as army graduates 128 more
Commodore Gary Best takes the salute at the passing-out parade at Tacama
Recruit C. Parkinson was adjudged the Best Graduating Student and recruit H. Pedro has been adjudged the Runner-Up when the Guyana Defence Force hosted its graduation ceremony on Friday.
The Guyana Defence Force saw its ranks boosted by 128 young men and women, who graduated on Friday last at the army’s Colonel John Clarke Military School at Tacama on the Berbice River.
Recruits K. Douglas and L. Semple were adjudged to have displayed the Best Military Knowledge and Best Fitness respectively.
The graduate who was adjudged the Best Drill was Recruit M. Chester, while Best Shot went to Recruit N. Boyle.
At the graduation ceremony, Chief-of-Staff, Commodore Gary Best, told the new soldiers that their training has served to begin a long process of “moulding” them into men and women who would make all Guyanese proud.
He called on the graduates to be focused, so that they can inculcate the values and habits that will be of best use to the society at large.
He added that they should be the best soldiers for all citizens of Guyana.
The Commodore said that while their ultimate mission is to keep Guyana safe, that should not only be seen in the context of external aggression. “The world is changing, and so is Guyana.”
He added that when the nation looks to maintain peace and solves international issues through diplomacy, “we must also look inwards to prevent our society from imploding.”
Commodore Best told the new soldiers that they must work with sister security services to maintain international peace and stability.
“While the staff of this course would have done their job, your test, your real test, will be determined by your level of performance when you are posted to your various units,” he explained.
Commodore Best said that while service in the GDF requires great sacrifice, the soldiers need to remember that they are in fact serving the entire nation and serving Guyanese of every creed and culture.
The service requires understanding, patience, empathy and loyalty, he added.
“Be sure that your loyalty and empathy do not become misplaced.”
He explained that they should be careful to protect the assets of the Guyana Defence Force; their weapons and ammunition must be protected at all cost.
He added: “Never abuse the power and authority which is invested in you as soldiers.”
He told the graduates that their education is beneficial to them, and attending the university would be an added asset.
This is the second course for the year, the army will soon be advertising for its Officer Cadet programme.
Among those witnessing the graduation were Commanding Officer, GDF Training Corps, Lt Col Enoch Gaskin, along with other officers and senior NCOs of the Training Corps.
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