-Best tells new recruits
Army Chief of Staff Commodore Gary Best has urged the latest batch of recruits to be loyal to the country and protect the assets of the force, while cautioning against abuses of authority.

Best delivered the charge to 128 recruits who completed the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Basic Recruit Course 2008/02 (BRC 2008-02) at the Colonel John Clarke Military School, at Tacama on the Berbice River, last Friday.

According to a GDF press statement, Best told the new soldiers that while service in the army requires great sacrifices, they need to remember that they are serving the nation — a task that requires understanding, patience, empathy and loyalty. “Be sure that your loyalty and empathy do not become misplaced. Be careful to protect the assets of the force. Our weapons and ammunition must be protected at all cost. Let no one tell you otherwise,” he said, adding that they must never abuse the power and authority invested in them as soldiers.

Best also told the soldiers that their training has served to begin a long process of moulding them into the men and women that country and its citizens can be proud of. “I urge you, be focused so that you can inculcate the values and habits which will be of best use to our society. Be the best you can be and a soldier for all the citizens of Guyana,” he said.

He explained that while the ultimate mission is to keep the country safe, it should be viewed solely in the context of external aggression. “The world is changing and Guyana with it; as we look toward maintaining the peace and solving international issues through diplomacy, we must also look inward to prevent our society from imploding. We must work with our sister security services to maintain internal peace and stability,” he observed. “While the staff of this course would have done their job, your test, your real test will be determined by your level of performance when you are posted to your various units.”

The Chief of Staff pointed out that this was but another beginning and another new pathway in their lives; one filled with hope and with the promise of a great future if that is what they wanted. He said that education all the way through to university is something that the army will provide as well as looking after their welfare in several other ways. “I congratulate you on the successful completion of this course and look forward to your positive contributions to our work at hand,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, several outstanding performances were noted and prizes were awarded to 21386 Recruit C Parkinson and 21335 Recruit H Pedro, who were adjudged best student and runner-up, respectively. 21355 K Douglas and 21430 Recruit L Semple were adjudged to have displayed the best military knowledge and best fitness, respectively. 21349 Recruit M Chester was adjudged the best drill, while 21336 Recruit N Boyle was best shot.

The BRC 2008-02 is the second such course conducted this year. The army will soon begin advertising for its Officer Cadet Programme and is encouraging interested persons to apply.