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

Volume 5, Issue 10 June 30, 2012 Find us at: www.gdf.mil.gy

I n what was a

truly historic

moment for

the Guyana

Defence Force, 152

new soldiers graduat-

ed on Friday, July 6, at

a parade in full pub-

lic view, off military

ground and ad-

dressed by Com-

mander-in-Chief of the

Armed Forces, Presi-

dent Donald Ramotar.

The soldiers , who

recently completed the

Basic Recruit Course

2012-01, marched on the

tarmac at the National

Cultural Centre as proud

relatives, friends and

members of the neigh-

bouring communities

looked on and cheered.

Following varied foot and

arms drills the parade

culminated wi th the

march past at which the

Presidential Salute was

given.

“ A s y o u r C o m -

mander-in-Chief, and

on behalf of the people

of Guyana, I am proud

that you have opted to

serve your people and

your country,” Presi-

dent Ramotar told the

s o l d i e r s e ve n a s he

emphasised what was

required of them in the

execution of their duties.

He implored the soldiers

to be good role models to

their fellow youth in their

communities, particularly

in the face of increasing

t e m p t a t i o n s .

“Remember that you

are a soldier of the

Guyana Defence and

all of your activities must be

geared towards raising the image of

the GDF, both locally and internation-

ally,” he urged the soldiers.

Further, President Ramotar expressed

appreciation to the relatives of the new

soldiers for their patriotism and allowing

their relatives to serve in the GDF.

Addressing the new soldiers, Chief of

Staff, Commodore Gary Best, resoundingly

declared that there was no greater sacrifice

which a person can make, other than dedi-

cating his life to the defence of his nation.

To this end, he told them that they are the

most valued assets of the Force and urged

them to “serve the Force well and we

will serve you well in return.” In this

regard, the COS alluded to the Force’s com-

mitment to its soldiers in assuring academ-

ic education in addition to military skills.

“You must adopt a must–succeed atti-

tude,” he asserted.

He advised them that, as soldiers, their

constitutional duty required that they defend

Guyana and assist in the maintenance of law

and order. He urged too that they understand

that their ultimate mission was to keep

Guyana safe: safe from threats on its borders

and safe from internal threats. Additionally,

COS Best urged the soldiers to always obey

orders given by those in Command, protect the

resources of the Force and stick to the Standing

Operating Procedures. “Unity, defence and

security must be your strength and your

duty to your country must always come

first,” he added.

Immediately following the parade , a recep-

tion was held in the Lounge of the National

Cultural Centre during which the COS and

Senior Officers interacted with the recruits and

their relatives.

One other BRC is slated for this year.

Chief of Staff Commodore Gary Best inspects the new soldiers during their parade

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

2

VOLUME 5 , ISSUE 10

June 30, 2012

Opinion-Editorial

Achievements of any kind, and in any field

of endeavour require the individual to be com-

mited, determined and above all to have an un-

derstanding of what he/she wishes to achieve!

Persons deciding to enlist in the Guyana

Defence Force will, no doubt, have goals and

objectives. They make that decision because

there is something they need to achieve.

Often, becoming a soldier may not have ever

been their first choice at gaining lawful and

meaningful occupation. But then again, it may

have been their hearts desire to serve their

country and help protect their communities

while developing themselves at the personal

level, learning and gaining skills as they grow

in the military!

Whatever the initial motivations, new en-

listments choose to become part of a noble or-

ganisation which has served Guyana with

pride and professionally, for all of 46 years to

date.

Choosing the military commits them to a

life of sacrifice: a life of learning to and

getting accustomed to following orders and

carrying out tasks which demand structured

and formal behavior. It binds them to specific

ways of doing things and particular sanctions

when they run afoul of the system.

Regardless, the new soldiers, at the outset of

their basic training, embark on an adventure.

They discover things about themselves and

learn new things, including how to adapt to

their new working environment and new situa-

tions.

Once the new soldier begins his/her journey

along the military path, he /she will soon real-

ise that there is much that can be achieved. As

each day presents its challenges, he/she gains

an opportunity to face them and prevail.

Giving up is not an option!

And so it is that 152 new soldiers have

joined the ranks of the GDF. Their journey has

just begun. It is important that they seek and

gain the support they need to positively engage

themselves toward the highest achievements

possible!

Enlisting

with the

Guyana

Defence Force

is like a dream

come true for

me. I am

20548 Lance

Corporal

Coreen

Souvenir of

the

Agriculture

Corps. I

gained my

formal edu-

cation at the

L’Aventure

Primary and

Secondary

Schools.

As a young girl growing up in Canal Number One Polder, on the West Bank of Demerara, I always felt a sense of pride whenever I saw

Uniformed Officers and Soldiers, particularly when they were on parade. This was my motivation for enlisting with the Guyana Defence

Force on March 11, 2005. My journey to becoming a soldier was not an easy one but I endured and can proudly say that today I have no

regrets for the rigors which I endured during my BRC. Upon comple-tion of the BRC I was posted to the Agriculture Corps where I first

worked in the Piggery Section. I was then sent to the Layer Section then to the Boiler Section. I also functioned as a store clerk for a short

while. In 2008 I completed the Junior Leaders Course, and afterward, returned to my unit and was again placed in the Boiler Section where I

remain today. Occasionally, I have participated in Drills at the Force

Level and I have also competed in rugby on behalf of the Force.

I am now the IC Boiler Section and find my job very rewarding and more and more interesting each day. The GDF has rewarded me

with the opportunity to do what I love best. I have learnt how to treat and care for the birds under my care and so, from constant observation,

have mastered the art of ensuring their particular needs. From a dis-

tance or even from my accommodation, when I hear them make certain sounds I know right away what’s wrong and so I would usually come

out to treat with them just to ensure that they are comfortable. I love the work that I do and if I had to choose again I would choose the

Agriculture Corps. It is my intention to attend the Guyana School of Agriculture to further studies in this area and I am confident that the

Force will allow me this opportunity.

The Guyana Defence Force has so far helped me to realize my

potential in an area where I enjoy working. I think this is by far the best feature of the Force, in that there is a place for everyone,

regardless of your interest. The versatility of the Force is by far,

unmatched.

I would tell anyone that the Guyana Defence Force is a great place

to work, but when you get here you must focus and not allow yourself

to be distracted. The training here is hard and the work sometimes

challenging in various ways, but with a determined spirit, you will

succeed. I have no regrets in making the GDF my choice of career.

3 June 30, 2012

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

VOLUME 5 , ISSUE 10

“Diligence is the mother

of good fortune.” Benjamin Disraeli

Award for Best Graduating Student

22299 Selwyn Williams

Award for Best Drill

22355 Letitia Myles

Award for Best Military Knowledge

22220 Aquency Harvey

Award for Runner Up Graduating Student

22297 Trevon Caesar

Award for Best Shot

Chavez Mangal

VOLUME 5 , ISSUE 10

4 June 30, 2012

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

O nce again, 31 SF Sqn have stamped

their authority at the Force Quarterly

Fitness Competition amassing a

whopping 607 points to win the second

quarter edition of the event!

Air Corps, their closest rival, finished second

with a total of 583 while 2 Inf Bn finished third with

their total of 558 points. Following in fourth place

wasTrg Corps with 517; and in fifth, Coastal Bn with

494.5; in sixth, BC(A) with 449 points.

The other male teams scored as follows:

BC(S) - 437………..seventh place

CG - 382……….eight place

At left, members of 31 SF Team during their kit check following the 5km run. At right, Colonel General Staff,

Col Bruce Lovell congratulates the team following the award of their prizes.

Above, CO 1 Inf Bn, Col George Lewis presents BC(A) females

with their medals. At left, the team displays its trophies.

PIR Coy - 372………….ninth place, and,

4 Engr Bn - 369……….tenth place

BC(S) females finished with a total of 355 points.

Addressing the teams at the conclusion of the

Competition, the Colonel general Staff encouraged

them to strive for better performances in the future.

He intimated that as soldiers, their physical state of

readiness must be at an all time high. The winners

and runner-up teams received trophies, medals and

team incentives.

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

VOLUME 5 , ISSUE 10

5 June 30, 2012

19575 CPL Deroy Phillips emerged the Best

Student while 20718 LCPL Ganesh Ramnauth

was the Runner Up Student on the Grade II All

Arms Course which concluded at the Jaguar

Lecture Hall at Base Camp Stephenson on

Friday, June 29 last.

Meanwhile, 21509 LCPL Jamaine Fraser and

20488 PTE Winston Cooper were Best Student

and Runner Up Student respectively on the

Grade III Arms-Storeman Course which also

concluded that day.

Congratulating the graduates classes, Commanding Officer

Five Service Support Battalion (CO 5SSB) Lieutenant

Colonel Ramkarran Doodnauth charged them to return to

their units and use their newly-acquired knowledge to

enhance the execution of their tasks. “With the knowledge

you have gained, you must now measure up. In order to

properly execute your tasks and enhance the quality of your

Unit, you will need to become accountable, be honest and commit to upholding high standards,” he said.

Lt Col Doodnauth also emphasized that they must be aware of the changes taking place across the Force and be ready to

adapt to new circumstances and situations.

The COS, all Officers and Other Ranks extend their congratulations to the successful graduates of the two courses .

Above: Director of the Specialist To Arms Institute

(STAIN) Lieutenant Colonel Terry Benn presents

CPL Phillips with his prize. At right, LCPL Ganesh

receives his prize from the Colonel.

CO 5SSB, Lt Col Ramkarran Doodnauth presents prizes to LCPL Fraser and PTE Cooper

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

VOLUME 5 , ISSUE 10

6 June 30, 2012

PROMOTION - OFFICERS Special Orders

Ser No 008) 2012-07-04

008. In accordance with Part III Section 16 of the

Defence Act 15:01 of 1977, the Chief of Staff is

pleased to announce that His Excellency the

President and Commander-in-Chief has approved

the following promotions with effect from

2012-07-01

To Acting Major

99437 Substantive Captain Ramnauth Parsram

99427 Substantive Captain Joslyn Assanah

To Acting Captain

99687 Lieutenant Kevaun Gray

99722 Substantive Lieutenant Keith Watts

99739 Substantive lieutenant Cedric Fraser

Coast Guard

To Acting Lieutenant (CG)

99738 Substantive Sub Lieutenant Nigel Backer

To Acting Lieutenant (CG)

997873 Midshipman Dane Haynes

………………………………………………………...

STRENGTH DECREASE OCDTs Part II

Orders Ser No 035) 2012-05-15

0340. Approval was granted for the u/m OCDTs,

Trg Corps, to be SOS as shown:

999139 OCDT Kevin Alert, SNLR

wef 12-04-16

999142 OCDT Jaryl Moore, AHOR

wef 12-04-27

999143 OCDT Jewel Thompson, SNLR

wef 12-04-09

999158 OCDT Jason Bishop, AHOR

wef 12-04-03

999169 OCDT Naphtalie Liverpool, AHOR

wef 12-04-17

999168 OCDT Andrew Cameron, AHOR

wef 12-04-18

STRENGTH DECREASE ORs Part II

Orders Ser No 035) 2012-05-15

0341. Approval was granted for the u/m ORs,

to be SOS as shown:

17863 SSGT Alex Lewis of Trg Corps, OR

wef 12-08-25

20267 LCPL Royan Morrisson of Sports

Dept AHOR wef 12-07-22

21515 PTE Leon Higgins of Coastal Bn,

AHOR 12-07-31

21627 OR Trevor Dazell of CG, AHOR

wef 12-06-30

……………………………………………………...

STRENGTH DECREASE OCDTs Part II

Orders Ser No 036) 2012-05-17

0364. Approval was granted for the u/m

OCDTs, Trg Corps, to be SOS –AHOR as

shown:

999139 OCDT Julias Dias, wef 12-04-03

999142 OCDT Jason Bishop,

wef 12-04-03

999143 OCDT Obitre Hytmiah,

wef 12-04-03

999158 OCDT Andrew Cameron,

wef 12-04-03

STRENGTH DECREASE ORs Part II

Orders Ser No 036) 2012-05-17

0341. Approval was granted for the u/m ORs,

to be SOS-AHOR as shown:

20940 LCPL Telesha Holder of DHQ

(G5Branch) wef 13-01-01

21407 PTE Amande McLenon of BC(A)

wef 12-07-31

GAFF & LAFF!

DONKEY SALE

Jonsey bought a donkey from he

padnah Ramsingh, for $3,000. Ramsingh agreed to deliver the

donkey the next day. Next day, Ramsingh drive up and said,

"Sorry Jonsey, but I have some bad news. The donkey dead."

"Well gie me back meh money," said Jonsey.

"Jonsey boy, I done spen it ahready."

"OK, then. Still gi me the donkey."

"Wha yuh go wid him?" asked Ramsingh.

"You doh worry, I gon raffle him."

"You cyaan raffle a dead donkey. Yuh mad or what!"

"Who say so....you makin joke. Watch me. I ent tellin nobody

he dead," said Jonsey.

A month later Ramsingh met Jonsey in the market. "Jonsey,

wha happen with yuh dead donkey boy?" Jonsey replied, "Ah

raffle him off nuh. Ah sell 100 hundred tickets at 100 dollars

and ah rake in $9,900.00"

"Nobody eh make noise?" "Only de fella who win.

So ah gie he back he hundred dollars!"

VOLUME 5 , ISSUE 10

7 June 30 , 2012

G u y a na D ef en c e

F o r c e D e n t a l

O f f i c e r , M a j o r

Dr. Meer Khan

executed an un-

common dental surgery on the

teenage child of an Army rank at

the GDF Dental Clinic which is

one of the most modern dental

service units in the country.

The patient’s lower second

molar wasdamaged beyond

repair. The procedure, a dental

transplant, was done at the

Camp Ayanganna Medical C

entre and post-operative follow

up done recently confirms the success of the surgery.

If a common normal procedure been done, the damaged

tooth would have been extracted and, if she sought to

maintain a good occlusion, it would have demanded the

installation of dentures, necessitating the expenditure of

finances.

Instead, Dr Khan, after the necessary clinical and radio-

graphic examination suggested to the patient’s mother the

option of transplant surgery. A third molar aback the con-

demned tooth which was not completely developed was

transplanted in the place of the rotted

tooth. The early stage of development of

the third molar contributed greatly to the

success of the surgery. In most persons,

the third molar is underutilized and, in

very many cases, it has to be removed

because of lack of space for it to reach its

normal position in the mouth, abnormal

position and for other reasons.

After the necessary consent and pre-

operative procedures, the surgery was

done. The damaged second molar was

removed and discarded and the third

molar taken from the area behind the

discarded tooth, was removed and placed

in the position of the extracted tooth.

The execution of this surgery is in keeping with the Guy-

ana Defence Force’s Med-

ical Policy and emphasis

on quality preventive

dentistry. This procedure

helps to maintain the

patient’s occlusion and it

also reduces the possibil-

ity of the subsequent

conditions and the relat-

ed financial, functional

and esthetic costs im-

plied with the loss of any

tooth.

Dr Khan stresses that while this procedure may be executed

more frequently each case has to be well selected. There are a

number of factors that have to be considered and these include

the age

o f t h e

patient,

the stage

of devel-

o p m e n t

o f t h e

tooth to

be trans-

planted,

compati-

bility of

d i m e n -

s i o n s

between

t h e e x -

t r a c t e d

tooth and the replacing tooth, the state of health of the trans-

plant site, presence or absence of inflammation/infection, oral

health and hygiene of the patient and others.

Damaged tooth (last tooth)

Damaged tooth extracted

Damaged tooth replaced by the

patient’s third molar tooth

SPORTS ARMY SPORTS ARMY SPORTS ARMY SPORTS ARMY SPORTS ARMY

ARMY SPORTS ARMY SPORTS ARMY SPORTS ARMY SPORTS ARMY SPORTS

VOLUME 5, ISSUE 10 8 June 30, 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

21806 PTE Chris

Holder of 1Inf Bn and

2 1 0 7 3 P T E D w o n

T hom p s on of w e r e

ad j ud ge d t he B e s t

B o x e r s ( m a l e a n d

female respectively)

w h e n t h e 2 0 1 2

I nt e r -Uni t Novi ce s

Boxing Championships

concluded at BC(S) on

June 21.

At left, Holder in

action on his way to

copping the title. At

r i g h t , T h o m p s o n

receives her trophy

from Lt (CG) Shenella

Europe.

GDF romped to a convincing 3-1 win over the

Georgetown Football Club (GFC) on Sunday, July 1, at

GFC ground to claim the Georgetown Football

Association (GFA) Banks DIH Limited-sponsored

President’s Beer football tournament and a $1M pay

cheque!

GDF’s launched their attack and were rewarded with a goal

in the seventh minute off the boot of Jehu Drewly. One minute

later, captain Rayon Morrison scored to bring GDF’s tally to

2-0. GDF extended their lead with yet another goal by Desford

Williams in the 23rd minute.

Moving beyond half-time with their lead solid, GDF

continued to deny GFC the revenge they sought until GFC’s Roy

Stanton put one between GDF’s uprights to score. It was now

3-1 in favour of the military boys and so it remained when the

final whistle was blown.

Team Coach, CIV Denzil Thompson pointed out that coming

off of the win of the NAMILCO Tournament earlier in the year,

the objective had always been to win the next tournament.

“That’s what we did!” he said. “We set our objectives, and

trained with these in mind. Our guys worked hard to

hone their abilities at the technical, tactical and even

psychological levels and it paid off!”

Quite humble and unassuming, Coach Thompson noted too

that, despite some challenges regarding training schedules

From Left: Best Goalkeeper 20749 LCPL Delon Young, Top Goal

Scorer, 19964 LCPL Desford Williams, and Tournament MVP,

20829 LCPL Seon Prince

which saw various members of his team having to perform

their soldiering duties alongside practice sessions, his men

remained focused on their goal; TO WIN!

The Team will be competing in the GFA Super 8 Tourna-

ment which is scheduled to commence around July 15. “We

are ready to go and are looking to continue our delivery

of positive results!” Thompson says.