Latest update December 21st, 2024 12:31 AM
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Colonel West ready to command Second Infantry Battalion …as Colonel Gaskin bids farewell
Outgoing Commander, Colonel Enoch Gaskin, right, hands over the
Battalion’s Colours to new Commander, Colonel Patrick West
Thirty-six years after he joined the Guyana People’s Militia and subsequently moved up the ranks of the Guyana Defence Force, Colonel Enoch Gaskin has ended his military career.
He formally handed over command of the Second Infantry Battalion, which he had been heading for a number of years.
The formal handing over has seen Colonel Patrick West taking command of the unit. A Change of Command Parade was held at the battalion’s Headquarters at Base Camp Seweyo, along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway to formalise the new command.
During his farewell remarks, Gaskin reminisced on the beginnings and experiences of his military career. Though he enlisted about 36-years-ago as a Private in the regular component of the Guyana People’s Militia, Gaskin shared that he in fact began his military career before that. He had been a part of the national reservist training camp, which began in response to the need to defend Guyana against aggression from Venezuela in 1976.
“It is ironic that my career is coming to an end, at a time when that same western neighbour is once again beating war drums and rattling the sabre,” Colonel Gaskin said.
During his career, Gaskin – who hails from Ruby Village, East Bank Essequibo – has held several positions in the Force. He has also completed numerous military courses and is a highly-qualified paratrooper. Additionally, he has qualified himself academically and earned undergraduate and graduate degrees.
However, he shared that being appointed the Chairman of the Joint Services Training Committee had been the most impacting aspect of his career.
The appointment, he said, allows the capacity and unity in the Joint Services to be built through training.
However, despite his numerous accomplishments, Gaskin said that his satisfaction comes from knowing that he selflessly shared his knowledge for the improvement of the Force.
He added, “Sometimes, my interventions were unwelcomed, while at other times, it was most welcomed. My only desire was to contribute to the improvement of the Force, and I think that I did!”
He stressed that the GDF had allowed him to realise his dreams and he went on to encourage young soldiers and officers to stay the course. He further encouraged them to always seek to develop themselves through self-study and by seizing as many opportunities as possible to learn new things.
Colonel Gaskin also had words for his successor, Colonel West.
Gaskin encouraged West to continue in the building of the GDF reserves. He emphasised that being in command of this unit was indeed a privilege and that the Reserves have long represented the commitment of Guyana’s citizens to actively participate in the defence of the state.
“Continue the task of providing quality leadership to this national pillar!” he further encouraged.
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