Commissioning service of Standard Officers’ Course...Ensigns receive stirring lesson on integrity, morale

Commissioning service of Standard Officers’ Course…Ensigns receive stirring lesson on integrity, morale

Feb 12, 2014 News

By Zena Henry
“You are the salt and light of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF),” was the profound statement that led the message delivered to a gathering of top army officials, soldiers, friends and families of the 15 Ensigns who will today be appointed Second Lieutenants after completing the army’s Standard Officers’ Course # 46.

Reverend T Kofia Nials

The customary commissioning service which was held at the Force’s Auditorium, Camp Ayanganna, is the ceremonial blessing of the Ensigns’ badge of rank.
Yesterday’s event saw the new military officers being advised by invited Reverend T Kofia Nials of the Friendship Circuit Methodist Church, on an ideal lifestyle as military men and their mode of conduct through the holy word.
Referring to the Gospel of Matthew; Chapter Five; verses 13 to 16, the Reverend delivered to the Ensigns a new path which they are ordained to pursue as growing seniors in the defence force and as the, “new light and salt of the GDF.” The messenger was emphatic in his delivery to the new officers and even had them continuously repeating the good traits to be instilled in them as specially-tasked national defenders.
“GDF ranks do not steal, cheat or lie.” “We are not talking about the flavouring or savouring agent, but rather the cleansing and preserving properties of the salt,” he told the young officers. Be like the salt he said, “Your calling is to prevent corruption and wrongdoing. So when you are on duty at the nation’s borders you will not accept one ounce of gold to let four ounces pass.”
The officers were urged to be disciplined and to seek reward in being contented and having high morale. “We brought nothing into this world and we will leave with nothing. Those who want to be rich and rich quickly fall to temptation and engage in that which is ungodly,” the Reverend warned. He told the soldiers to shine with the light of integrity, for they “are a part of a new and wonderful GDF, with a new Chief of Staff (COS) and a new direction.”

The Officers’ Stars being brought into the auditorium

Reverend Nials delivered a lively yet moving sermon that had the gathering on their feet. He reiterated the hub of the message which spoke to lifestyles of the new officers as they assume their new roles. He reminded the Ensigns to not have a spirit of fear and indiscipline. He urged them to remain true to their word as defenders of the nation, carrying out their duties with the word of God as a tool in their armoury.
Yesterday’s ceremony was also blessed by religious leaders of the different dominations. The officers’ stars were also prayed upon by the Hindu and Muslim Priests and the force’s Chaplain before they were carried out of the Auditorium. The gathering engaged in the singing of religious hymns, while various readings also made up the commission service.
Of the 15 Ensigns to be promoted, three are from the Belize Defence Force, while the others are GDF ranks.