39 Cadet Officers promoted to Ensigns

Jan 29, 2009 News

After almost 10 months of intense training, 39 cadet officers from the Standard Officers’ Course #41 were yesterday decorated with their rank of ensign at a special ceremony which was held at the Guyana Defence Force Headquarters, Camp Ayanganna.

The new ensigns give the eyes right to Chief of Staff, Commodore Gary Best.

Ensign Quincy Agard was adjudged Under Officer (best graduating student).
The ranks, among whom were four females, were drawn from the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Fire Service, the Prison Service, and the Belizean and St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Forces.
The ranks, who will become officers in a few weeks time, successfully underwent intense military training which was added to exercises in politics, global and other studies.
Delivering the feature address at yesterday’s Ensigncy Parade, Chief-of-Staff Commodore Gary Best remarked that yesterday marked the beginning of a new phase in the lives of those who were on parade.
According to Commodore Best, it signals the ceremonial change from civilian to military status.
“This simply means that your lives are now ordered and programmed for the purpose of defence duties,” Best told the Ensigns, adding that it also heralds the beginning of a professional career that could last for as much as 33 years if the personal life goals of the ranks coincide with that of the organisation.
“You are never going to be the same person you were even after you leave the defence force in years to come. Our mark, the military stamp that has been embedded in you, is a permanent one, and one that is recognisable throughout our country as well as in any part of the world,” Best said.
However, he explained that this does not apply to those who simply wear the uniform purely for the pomp and gala that goes with it, since they too are recognisable as civilians masquerading in uniform.
According to the Chief-of-Staff, yesterday’s ceremony mirrors the vision for the Joint Services of the Commander in Chief, President Bharrat Jagdeo with regards to training of officers.
This is the first time that the majority of persons on the Standard Officers’ Course are persons who are not members of the Guyana Defence Force.
Of the 39 Ensigns, 16 were from the GDF, while 16 were from the Guyana Police Force, two from the Guyana Fire Service, three from the Belizean Defence Force and one each from the Guyana Prison Service and the St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force.
The Chief-of-Staff said that this augurs well for the security forces since it leads to commonality of the training which is intended to offer flexibility to face the challenges of the present security environment.
“You are being elevated at a time when new and evolving threats are surfacing on the landscape and your training has been tailored to adequately respond to those challenges,” Best told the ensigns.
The ensigns are also being decorated at a time when internal peace and stability are being redefined, sometimes taking a swipe at the very existence of society.
To this effect, Best said that greater vigilance is required at Guyana’s borders as non-traditional threats in the form of trans-border criminality are becoming prevalent.
Within recent times, the Guyana Defence Force has been called upon to assist the police in the battle against criminal elements and this posture gives credit to the concept of the Joint Services.
“You would recognise that our internal security posture is a collaborative one with the Guyana Police Force; conducting more joint operations. Significantly these joint operations are intended to counter threats,” the Chief-of-Staff pointed out.
As potential officers, the ensigns will be in positions to lead men and women, and the Commodore cautioned that they must understand politics, man management, governance, finance, international relations and mastering military skills.
Best said that the officers-to-be must have knowledge about the factors that impact upon their command and leadership.
He explained that if an officer has a poor knowledge base then he or she will make bad decisions that could put their fellow officers and men at risk.
“Mistakes in war cost lives, and you must always remember that, and endeavour at all times to minimise the loss of lives as far as physically possible,” Commodore Best advised.
He said that officers must be leaders by example who are fearless and selfless and show integrity, of which the most critical element is courage.
With regards to honesty, Best said that this is a valour that will keep officers in check and in line with authority.
“You will be severely tested in every area for which you have been trained and in areas for which this training could not anticipate. Do not wear arrogance on your shoulders. Be firm and fair. Command and communicate. Seek advice when in doubt. Respect your seniors and juniors…and be humble enough to learn from those below and above you,” the Chief-of-Staff said.