FORTY-THREE military students, including five from the Guyana Police Force and two each from the Guyana Prison Service and the City Constabulary, graduated from a Skill-at-Arms Course on Monday.

Sergeant Chris Corbin was the top graduate of the second and final Skill-at-Arms Course conducted for this year.
Sergeant Travis Lewis, who also copped the award for Best Shot, was the runner-up to the Best Graduating Student.
Commanding Officer of the four Engineers Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel, Selwyn Austin, congratulated the successful participants.
“Today, you graduate. Today, we celebrate your success. Congratulations!” he said.
He added: “During the course, you covered several modules: each has the same weight of importance because the course was designed to enhance your proficiency in shooting and weapons-handling and also to rehearse you in these skills so that you are prepared to coach members of your unit or in our sister services.”
The graduates were encouraged to maintain the network among themselves so that they may benefit from continuous learning.

Lt Col Austin also urged the graduates to embrace the Values and Standards of the GDF since they are a necessary guide to professional soldiering.

“Be responsible for your every action in and out of uniform. Abide by and respect the laws which govern our society. Ignoring or living outside of the law can spell disaster. Be respectful to your superiors and your subordinates and other persons that you may come into contact with. Remember that to get respect, you must first give respect! Conduct yourselves appropriately, since we in the Disciplined Services, are often looked upon as the standard-bearers of discipline. Avoid and stand firm against behaviour that will erode the discipline of the organisation. Do not aid or condone insubordination from the ranks below you. In all this be the example,” he said.

The chief-of-staff, officers and ranks of the GDF extend congratulations to the graduates.