Women’s Army Corps celebrates 43 years

Feb 05, 2010 News

The historic achievement of woman private Melika Scotland was lauded by Chief-of-Staff Commodore Gary Best as the Guyana Defence Force Women’s Army Corps commenced celebration in recognition of the 43rd anniversary of its existence.

A section of the gathering at the 43rd Anniversary Service of the Women’s Army Corps.

Woman Private Scotland last year graduated from the Basic Paratroopers Course, becoming the first female paratrooper in the Guyana Defence Force.
“Her historic achievement was a signal to the Corps and the GDF that the women are still on the rise to take every opportunity that is available to them,” Best remarked to loud applause.
The anniversary celebrations commenced with a church service officiated by the Reverend Lynette Smith at the Base Camp Ayanganna auditorium.
Among the attendees were male counterparts of the Women’s Army Corps and representatives from the other Disciplined Services.
The Chief-of-Staff, in his address to the gathering lauded the work of the women who form a significant percentage of the Force and contribute to every area of its development.
He proposed that the Women’s Army Corps plan a week of activities to mark next year’s celebrations and to include their male counterparts in them.
The GDF’s resort to hiring females occurred in 1966 after Venezuela’s claim on the Island on Ankoko in the Cuyuni, which resulted in manpower problems.