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The world over recognizes the value of retired soldiers
Dear Editor,
It is with humility that I choose to address the contempt that Guyanese seem to have for ex-soldiers. This makes reference to soldiers given government assignments.
The GDF was birthed in 1965. Within one year of its formation, the GDF was called to defend the borders of Guyana against invasion by Venezuelan forces in 1966, into the territory of Guyana. The soldiers were deployed at three-month intervals, sleeping on the ground and at times in foxholes, two feet wide and four to five feet deep depending on the height of the soldiers.
We also evicted the Dutch Army from the New River Triangle.
Ex-Soldiers have always demonstrated loyalty to the nation as a whole. Our ex-soldiers are continually committed to serving Guyana in whatever role they are asked to serve. We are proud Guyanese who have demonstrated a willingness to give our life’s blood for service to this great nation.
It is no surprise that twenty-six of the forty-five American Presidents served in the military. The American Congress reached a high point in 1972 when 73 percent of its members had military experience. Today, that ratio is quite a bit lower, but the twenty percent put the number of currently serving prior service members just below one hundred.
All but two of the seven French Presidents since 1960 served in the military and prior that, their most significant leaders Napoleon Bonaparte, Charles De Gaulle and George Pompidou, all gained their leadership skills in the military. In Israel, all their politicians have Military service.
When a person reaches the rank of Captain in the British army, he is sought after for managerial positions in civil society. In the United Kingdom, fifty of the current Members of Parliament have served in their military.
Military institutions place heavy importance on leadership development; combining carefully planned training, educational, and experiential events that are much more in depth than can be found in government or the private sector.
Additionally, the levels of authority and responsibility produced by the chain of command concept and the doctrine of duty service and self-sacrifice are always backed by an oath. Military personnel are trained to perceive their obligation to followers as a moral responsibility, placing the needs of the troops above those of the leaders, and this code is prioritized and instilled in junior ranks.
Finally, one of the most important aspects of leadership is the ability to inspire others to go beyond their perceived abilities. It is in this area that military training by necessity and importance of war fighting and strategy becomes far superior to all other entities in producing “charismatic” leaders.
It is easy to see why modern democracies can confidently rely on their respective military institutions for excellence in leadership. Guyana and its people alike should be able to do the same, especially considering the fact that though soldiers are initially separated from normal society, we are still Guyana’s Children, Mothers, fathers, Sisters and brothers of this sacred soil.
It would be a tragedy to ostracize former soldiers in our national development.
Dennis Bunny Stewart
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