uniform - gdf.mil.gy newsletter volume 5 issue 8 may 14... · gent nor are they the most skillful...

O fficer Cadets (OCDTs) undergoing training on the Standard

Officers Course Number 45 have only so far made baby steps

in their journey to become part of the Force’s Officer Corps as

such they have received a timely charge to remain focused on a

vision to overcome all challenges and finish the race.

Colonel General Staff, Colonel Bruce Lovell delivered the charge to the potential officers during the official opening of the course at the Colonel Ulric Pilgrim Officer

Cadet School Lecture hall on May 22, 2012. Labeling his presentation, “Working your

way to success,” Col Lovell went at all lengths to motivate the Cadets who must endure

more than six more months of rigorous military training. “Others have done it and you can do it too,” he told the attentive Cadets seated with their instructors in the fore-

ground.

He further told them that the military is essentially about building one’s character, and that the training they will undergo will develop their character which will sustain

them not only to complete the course but throughout their career and life . “You will inculcate values that will influence your thoughts; your thoughts will influence your

actions; your actions will influence your habits; your habits will influence your

character; and your character will influence your destiny,” he admonished.

Meanwhile he urged them not to be distracted by their pains and hardships, but to

focus on what lies ahead. As he addressed the training Staff, Col Lovell reminded them of their important task and quoted from the Bible saying, “Teach sound doctrine,

correct, rebuke, encourage.”

Of the 38 OCDTs who started the course, two have been sent overseas for training and 21, including one female, have endured. No student was drawn from the Joint

Services or the CARICOM Nations.

The Standard Officers Course is aimed at producing an officer who is capable of leading and administering soldiers while at the same time upholding the values and

standards of the Guyana Defence Force. It covers a wide variety of subject areas captured under an Introduction to Basic Military Training and command at the section

level and an Introduction to Command at the Platoon Level, Command at the Platoon Level in Internal Security and Jungle Operations and Environmental, Administrative

and Leadership studies. The course started on March 26, 2012 and the Commissioning

Parade is slated for 14th February , 2013.

OCDTS of SOC #45 with Senior Officers of the Force

and their Training staff at CUPOCS

C aptain Alaxendre Pereira

F i guei rd o a nd Ser ge a nt

Franklin Jose Ribeiro, In-

structors from the Brazilian

military’s Jungle Warfare

Training Center (CIGS), were on May 10

last presented with Citations and the pres-

tigious Guyana Defence Force JATS (Jungle

and Amphibious Training School) Badge.

The JATS Badge is the “premier distinction

of award for Jungle and Amphibious Train-

ing (JAT) and is awarded to individuals who

have excelled in the area of Jungle and Am-

phibious training.

The Officers recently completed a one-

year stint at the GDF’s Jungle and Amphibi-

ous Training School at Makouria, where

they imparted their knowledge in JAT.

Their involvement with the GDF is possible

as a result of co-operation agreements

between the governments of Guyana and

Brazil. The first Brazilian JAT Instructor

arrived in Guyana in 2007.

In addit i on t o providing human

resources for training, the Brazilian military

has also provided materiel assistance to the

GDF. Additionally, several GDF Officers

and Ranks are provided the opportunity to

pursue studies in Brazil, in fields cover-

ing various military specializations.

CO Training Corps, Colonel Khemraj Persaud

affixes the JATS Badge to Captain Figuerido’s

uniform

Creed: I am a professional in the Guyana Defence Force. “SERVICE” is my Motto.

Volume 5, Issue 8 May 14, 2012 Find us at: www.gdf.mil.gy

SOLDIER NEWS SOLDIER NEWS SOLDIER NEWS SOLDIER NEWS SOLDIER NEWS SOLDIER NEWS SOLDIER

2

VOLUME 5 , ISSUE 8

May 14, 2012

Opinion-Editorial

Nothing is perhaps more important to an

individual that the simple need to feel wanted:

to be valued as a person, to be recognised for

the contribution he/she makes or simply to be

acknowledged as being human; upholding

human dignity.

True, some persons are not extremely intelli-

gent nor are they the most skillful people we

know or have met. But, quite often they are

willing to listen to our woes and provide some

amount of comfort, and that could be by just

listening to what we have to say, holding our

hands, or sitting quietly beside us in a moment

of grief. They sometimes try to make us laugh

although the jokes might be not that funny.

They may bring us a tasty meal or try nursing

us back to health if we are sick.

What’s the point? The point is that every-

one—every single human being, whether it’s a

family member, relative, friend, work colleague

or total stranger has worth and can impact

our lives one way or the other. Of course, we do

not appreciate negative impacts which some

people just seem to bring along with them every

time and everywhere! It’s the positive impacts

that we need to value. But, do we show often

enough, how much we appreciate those people

who have a positive impact on our lives?

In this Issue of the SOLDIER we feature two

stories where the GDF has said thanks and

shown appreciation for the good work that oth-

ers have done. One has to do with the Brazilian

soldiers who were honoured for their contribu-

tions to training at JATS while the other has to

do with the Appreciation Luncheons that were

held for our Administrative professionals.

While these shows of appreciations have been

publicized, it is quite likely that there are

many others that go unheralded.

Regardless of whether or not our apprecia-

tion is made public, we must understand that

it is a noble thing for us to show gratitude and

to say thanks. Strive always to be at peace with

your fellow man and remember to always reach

out to show your caring, love and appreciation

of others. Let’s help keep each other’s dignity

intact!

“One of the special moments of my career in the

Guyana Defence Force was my selection to be

trained at the Junior Non-Commissioned Officers

(JNC) level in Jamaica, in 1995,” so says 16134

Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) William Arthur of

Training Corps.

He was born at the Vreed-en-Hoop Hospital and later

attended the Vreed-en-Hoop Primary and community

High schools. At the latter, he wrote the Secondary

Schools Proficiency Examination (SSPE) Parts I and II

and gained a place at the West Demerara Secondary

school. Following his formal education, he worked as a

Carpenter’s Assistant under the watchful eye of his

father, for six months. He then went on to work briefly at

the then Ministry of Works and Communication.

WO2 Arthur is currently the Regimental

Sergeant Major (RSM) at Training Corps, an ap-

pointment he has held from January, 2012. Prior to this

appointment, he served in the 21 Artillery Company (21

Arty Coy) for twenty years. This, following his completion

of the Basic Recruit Course in 1991 when he enlisted. “I

always wanted to be a soldier and be in service to my

country,” he says. “When I made the decision to enlist, my

parents were very supportive and wished be well.”

Following the completion of the BRC, he was posted

to 21 Arty Coy as a store man. After completing a diag-

nostic test, he became the arms store man. Even as a Pri-

vate (PTE) he was appointed the Company Orderly Ser-

geant. “I was elevated in rank to lance Corporal in 1994

and was posted as an Assistant Instructor (AI) to a BRC

in the same year. In 1995, I completed the GDF’s JNC,

was promoted to Acting Corporal and sent to Mabaruma

with the Artillery

RSM, 16134 WO2, William

Arthur at work in his office

at Trg Corps

troops. While I was at Mabaruma, I was notified that I

had been selected for the JNCO Course in Jamaica. I later

completed the Section Commanders Course (SCC) in 1996

and was elevated in rank to Corporal. In 1997, I was

re-posted to Training Corps and, after a one-year stint as

an AI, I was posted back to 21 Arty Coy. In 1998, I

completed the Platoon Sergeant’s Course and was

promoted to Sergeant in 1999.” he says.

In 2001, WO2 Arthur served as the Platoon Sergeant

during Exercise Tradewinds in Puerto Rico. Upon his

return to Guyana he also served in the same capacity

during the patrol for Operation Arrowhead, the ascent of

Mt. Ayanganna.

The following, are other military courses which he

completed: Drill Course (1998); Skill At Arms Course

(2003); Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Course (2003),

and the Drill Instructors Course (2003).

He was elevated in rank to Staff Sergeant in 2004

and to Warrant Officer Class 2, in 2006. The RSM was

awarded the 40th Anniversary Medal in 2005, the

Military Efficiency Medal (MEM) in 2004, and the 25th

Anniversary Medal in 1985.

From sandflies in his ears, eyes and nose at Tacama

and not being able to move or twitch, WO2 Arthur has

progressed in rank and appointment relatively rapidly;

and while he may have doubted his good fortune, is not

disappointed by his achievements to date. He says that

he will still strive to achieve higher levels of success. “I

have gained many skills and experience, including being

able to use the computer to complete tasks and assign-

ments, something which, four to five years ago, I could not

do!” he proudly states. “I feel fulfilled. However, the

lowest point of my career was a time when I was made to

forfeit 28 days pay and feared losing the opportunity to

gain promotion. I have weathered the storms and look forward to many more challenges in the future. The GDF

is an environment that challenges an individual.

You are challenged physically, mentally and

emotionally. The good thing is, that all your experi-

ences provide you with the opportunity to learn and

grow. That is what makes life in the GDF special to

me!” he adds.

Speaking to his fellow soldiers and SNCOs in particular, WO2 Arthur says, “I believe that on the

way to becoming a Senior Non Commissioned

Officer, the soldier must cultivate self-discipline.

Discipline is necessary to function efficiently and

effectively! It plays a major role in everything you

do. Present yourselves as a role model for your peers

and juniors. If I had to live my life over, I’d choose

to be a soldier all over again!”

3 May 14, 2012

SOLDIER NEWS SOLDIER NEWS SOLDIER NEWS SOLDIER NEWS SOLDIER NEWS SOLDIER NEWS SOLDIER

VOLUME 5 , ISSUE 8

Administrative Professionals (APs) across the

Force were recognised and honoured at special

luncheons on Friday, May 18, last. This is in keeping

with the Force’s policy of recognising the valuable

contributions which the APs make in enhancing the

management functions of their superiors.

Human Resource professionals addressed the APs and

encouraged them to continue providing the necessary

service and support to their superiors and were reminded

that, although theirs is often a job which requires long

hours, much patience and dedication, it does provide for

rewards such as enhanced training and personal

development opportunities. Additionally, they were

reminded that excellence and professionalism were key to

ensuring success on the job.

They were presented with tokens of appreciation by the

Unit and Sub-Unit Commanders and departmental heads

who shared the special moments with them.

Lt Col Wilbert Lee presents CPL Tesheena McAlmont of BC(S)

with her tokens.

Commander Gary Beaton presents PO Ann Arthur with her

token.

VOLUME 5 , ISSUE 8

4 May 14, 2012

SOLDIER NEWS SOLDIER NEWS SOLDIER NEWS SOLDIER NEWS SOLDIER NEWS SOLDIER NEWS

W o r k i s

un d er w a y

to enhance

the struc-

tural facilities and general

environs at the Colonel John

Clark e M il i tar y Sch ool

(CJCMS) at Tacama, in order

to provide a better training

experience for prospective

and serving members of the

Force.

Most outstanding is the first-

time construction of an assault

course which mirrors the one at

Base Camp Stephenson (BC(S).

This type of assault course simu-

lates some aspects of a battle

Above, heavy earth moving equipment clearing away bush at the School.

Below, The new outdoor shower-stalls for males.

environment and its

introduction at Tacama

will be of more benefit

to the entrants of the

Basic Recruit Course.

It is designed to test

their physical dexterity

and fitness and re-

quires them to tactical-

ly manoeuvre the obsta-

cles.

M e a n w h i l e , t h e

Lecture Hall which will

also house classrooms

and offices for adminis-

trative staff has also

been completed.

A d d i t i o n a l l y , a

substantial amount of

under-bushing has been

done on the to the eastern and western sides of the base.

The Tacama Battle School, as it is popularly called, is considered the Force’s main training location and

was first used by the British Garrison of the South Caribbean Forces which conducted battle inoculation

training there, between 1943 and 1944.

In 1945 the British

G u i a n a V o l u n t e e r

F o r c e ( B G V F )

c o m m e n c e d

construction of the

c a m p w h i c h w a s

completed in 1955.

The CJCMS remains

part of the Training

Corps of the Guyana

Defence Force . I t s

training facilities and

undulating terrain are

used to good effect for

the training of Officer

C a d e t s , R e c r u i t s ,

Non-Commiss ioned

Officers, Senior and

Junior Officers of the

Guyana Defence Force

and some from sister

Caricom Countries.


VOLUME 5 , ISSUE 8

5 Masy 14, 2012

The Lecture Hall. It houses classrooms and offices for the school’s

administrative staff

In this photo you can see some of the obstacles on the assault course. More

prominently in the foreground are the monkey-Run and the Foxholes.


VOLUME 5 , ISSUE 8

6 May 14, 2012

STRENGTH DECREASE - ORs: - (Part II

Orders Ser No 024) 2012-04-03

0217. Approval was granted for the u/m ORs to be

SOS as shown:

17671 CPL Rammy Hendricks of DHQ (G2

Branch), SOS-OR wef 12-10-15

19672 CPL Dewayne Stephen of DHQ (GPD),

SOS-AHOR wef 12-05-15

17482 LCPL Haslyn Edmonson of 1Inf Bn,

SOS-OR wef 12-06-28

20737 LCPL Adonis Young of DHQ (G2 Branch),


20864 PTE Nicola Cox of DHQ (Sig Dept), SOS-

CFMS wef 09-12-01

20964 PTE Jennifer Jones of DHQ (COS Office),


21116 PTE Shadrack Scott of BC (A), SOS-

AHOR wef 12-05-15

21155 PTE Orin Wharton of DHQ (G2 Branch),


21204 PTE Yohance Roberts of DHQ (G2

Branch), SOS-AHOR wef 12-06-30

21647 OR George Tixey of CG, SOS-AHOR wef

12-06-30

21673 PTE Jorell Christian of 5SSB, SOS-OTOE

wef 12-08-31

…………………………………………………………

AMMENDMENT STRENGTH DECREASE -

OR: Part II Orders Ser No 025) 2012-04-05

0227. Ref Part 2 Orders Ser# 22 para 0170 dated

2012-03-27.

Delete: Approval was granted for 19618

LCPL Royston Liverpool, CG, to be SOS-OR wef

12-05-16.

Insert: Approval was granted for 15887

LCPL Royston Liverpool, CG, to be SOS-OR wef

12-05-16.

STRENGTH DECREASE - OR: - (Part II

Orders Ser No 027) 2012-04-12

0246. Approval was granted for 20908 OR

Matthew Rodney, CG, to be SOS-SNLR wef

12-04-15

2012-03-27

The u/m ORs have successfully com-

pleted the 3/4-ton Driving Cadre con-

ducted by Trg Corps wef 11-10-10 to

12-02-06

17372 LCPL Marvin Williams of

BC(S)

20256 LCPL Seon Winfield of 2 Inf

Bn (Res)

21497 PTE Leon Parris of Coastal

Bn

“I've learned that people will

forget what you said, people will

forget what you did, but people

will never forget how you made

them feel.” Maya Angelou

GAFF & LAFF!

Old Age

An old man walks into a

bar, sits down, and starts crying.

The bartender asks, “What’s wrong?” The old

man looks at the bartender through teary eyes

and between sobs says, “I married a beautiful

woman two days ago. She’s a looker, twenty-

five, intelligent, a marvelous cook, a meticu-

lous housekeeper, extremely sensitive to my

wants and needs, very giving, my best friend,

and intensely passionate in bed.”

The bartender stares at the old man for a brief

moment and says, “But that sounds great!

You have what every man wants in a woman,

so why are you crying?”

The old man looks at the bartender and says,

“I can’t remember where I live!”

VOLUME 5 , ISSUE 8

7 May 14 , 2012

Why do health professionals recommend breast feeding as a way to guarantee better health

for the child and how does it influence oral health?

The health benefits of contact breast feeding are

overwhelming. First of all, withdrawing the breast

milk and feeding the child using a bottle is not

considered breast feeding, it is giving the child breast

milk.

Breast feeding implies contact with the

breast while the milk is sucked by the child. The

skin to skin contact between mother and child is

one of the great benefits. In countries like Brazil

where the “kangaroo mother” technique is

practiced, premature babies have a greater

survival and development rate as compared to

those put in the incubators. The kangaroo moth-

er has the baby within her upper garment allow-

ing for the baby’s skin to be in contact with the

mother’s skin at the body temperature almost all

the time.

In terms of oral health breast feeding offers

two great benefits. First, the breast milk has

within it the necessary nutritional content

for the child’s health and this includes the health of

the bones and teeth.

Having the necessary nutritional requirements is not all

that is needed to guarantee good oral health in later

years of the child. Children that are not breast fed or are

breast fed for very short periods tend to have poorer oral

health. Their respiratory health is also influenced. When

a child is breast feeding the mouth

forms a seal around the nipple and

this implies nasal breathing. This is

good for the development of the lungs

and nasal cavities.

S e c o n d l y a n d m o r e

particularly for the development

of the muscles, ligaments and

bones around the oral cavity,

breast feeding is important. The

orifice through which the milk passes

from the nipple of the mother’s breast

is small so to extract it the child has to

create a seal around the nipple and

execute muscular sucking movements. This exercising of

the muscles and tension on the ligaments is what draws

out the milk and helps to stimulate the normal growth of

these same muscles and bones. With the bones developed

to the normal dimensions, the teeth are well positioned

and accommodated. The lack of development will see

small bones to accommodate all the teeth. This can lead

to overcrowding, di fficulty in brushing and the

corresponding common oral diseases: cavities and

inflammation of the gum. So in the interest of good oral

health and better mouth formation of your children,

breast feed them. Generally babies like breast feeding as

it is a natural and baby friendly process, they probably

recognize also that the milk comes in more attractive

containers.

S e n d q u e s t i o n s a n d c o m m e n t s t o :

[email protected]

SPORTS ARMY SPORTS ARMY SPORTS ARMY SPORTS ARMY SPORTS ARMY

ARMY SPORTS ARMY SPORTS ARMY SPORTS ARMY SPORTS ARMY SPORTS

VOLUME 5, ISSUE 8 8 May 14, 2012

This Newsletter was prepared by the G5 Branch for distribution to Members of the Guyana Defence Force, Government Ministries, Members of the Joint

Services, Libraries and Veterans’ Associations. It can also be accessed on the GDF’s Website at: : http://www.gdf.mil.gy

The platoon of Base Camp Ayanganna

females displaying one of their more

innovative drills on the way to winning the

female aspect of the competition.

Here, the 2 Infantry Bn (Res)

male Platoon executes an

impressive drill formation.

The Second Infantry Battalion Reserve (2Inf Bn

(Res)) demonstrated its superiority to win against

First Infantry Battalion at the FACE OFF of the

Force Drill Competition 2012, which concluded at

the Drill Square at Base Camp Stephenson (BC(S))

on May 9. Meanwhile, the Base Camp Ayanganna

(BC (A) females won against their peers of BC(S).

Following the completion of preliminary

competitive drills by each of the seven of the male

teams, the two finalists emerged. They were then

pitted against each other in the “FACE OFF”. This

was the first time that the new format was used to

determine the winner. However, with only two

female teams competing against each other, there

was no need for them to FACE OFF. Congratula-

tions are extended to the winning teams!

uniform - gdf.mil.gy newsletter volume 5 issue 8 may 14... · gent nor are they the most skillful...

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