COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF of the Armed Forces, President David Granger announced the strengthening of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Engineering Corps to recommence the construction of bridges and roadways in the hinterlands. This was disclosed while President Granger was giving the feature address Wednesday at the Standard Officer’s Course #48 parade at the playfield, Camp Ayanganna, where 17 Ensigns who completed the course were promoted to Second Lieutenants.

Three additional officers were selected to undergo further training at the Brazilian Armed Forces cadet course. Two of the newly commissioned officers who graduated are from the Belize Defence Force and the other was a female from the St Kitts and Nevis Defence Force.
The best graduating student was Cleveroy Patrick while the first runner up was Richard Asregadoo. Other graduates included: Jermine Nedd, Mark Bagot, Jermis Batson, Corenna VanLewin, Althea Rodney, Dwight Bonus, Daniel Phillips, Jermey Basdeo, Quason McAndrew, Rawl lord, Joel Amsterdam, Garvon Douglas, Stephion Gordon, Asthon Flowers, Xavier Ramirez and Zenra Ferdinand.
President Granger told the officers that the GDF reactivated the Guyana People’s Militia which is the reserve force that can be deployed to render assistance to regional administrations and communities in time of emergency. “The militia will become again the citizens’ army, it will be based in communities in every region of our country in order to keep those communities safe, the Civil Defence Corps under the Civil Defence Commission is now being established to assist the government in times of environmental hazard,” the Commander-in-Chief explained.
President Granger charged the promoted cadets to uphold the complex mission and responsibilities of the GDF while abiding by the values of loyalty, discipline, courage, honesty, steadfastness and trust. Recognising the participation of three officers from sister Caribbean states- Belize and St Kitts Nevis, President Granger said their participation is in accordance with Guyana’s commitments to regional integration and Guyana’s foreign policy to foster closer relations among the friendly countries and the defence forces of the Caribbean.
“We are committed to collaborating with each other to ensure the security of all states and to guarantee that the region remains forever a zone of peace…The newest officers of the GDF now have the legal authority with the appointment as Second Lieutenants, the instruments will allow you to fulfill your responsibilities of our country; our communities; these responsibilities are clearly outlined in the constitution of Guyana,” President Granger underscored.
He said the Constitution, the Defence Act and the Defence Board have entrusted the GDF with the responsibilities for the security of the country and for rendering services to our country. “The GDF for half of a century has been the sword and shield of our homeland; it has protected us from danger; it has suppressed revolt; it has repelled incursions; it has deterred would-be aggressors. The GDF has admirably guarded our nation’s skies, our waters, our territory and our patrimony and will continue to do so,” Pesident Granger noted.
The President added that the safety of Guyana’s citizens is the most important task of the state; and people must enjoy security in their homes and in their communities, especially in times of disaster and other circumstances of the state. Meanwhile, best graduating student Cleveroy Patrick said the course was very challenging and it tested him mentally and physically. “I now have a clearer understanding of the familiar term, ‘mind over matter’.”
Chief of Staff Brigadier General, Mark Phillips said the GDF has utilised its best training staff at the Colonel Ulric Pilgrim Officer Cadet School. He said military work requires judicious and skillful application of technology, aggression and discipline to accomplish given missions and tasks. This, he said, is the professional framework that must now guide the Second Lieutenants intellectual development as young officers of the force.