At Army Officers’ Conference…

Chief of Staff Commodore Gary Best addresses the conference

GUYANA Defence Force (GDF) Chief-of-Staff, Commodore Gary Best yesterday gave the assurance that the Army remains committed to defending the national security.

He was delivering welcome remarks at the GDF Annual Officers’ Conference at Officers’ Mess, Base Camp Ayanganna, Thomas Lands, Georgetown, under the theme ‘Re-engineering to enhance national defence and security’.

Best said defence and national security is serious business, requiring serious commitment for success and, as such, he pledged the Force’s commitment to the task.

He said the GDF will continue working to fulfill its constitutional mandate and is, indeed, challenged by the magnitude of the task, despite the limitations of its resources.

“Violations will not be tolerated, although crime and violence continue to be a significant challenge to the Joint Services and we are also committed to supporting our sister service in the drive against them,” Best vowed.

As Chairman of Joint Services Council (JSC), he also assured that the agencies are committed and dedicated to the country.

Best told the gathering, when ordered by President Bharrat Jagdeo, the GDF is ready to assist in the Haiti recovery efforts.

The Army Chief also spoke of past involvement in other recovery efforts which were deemed successful and noted that, with the completion of the strategic defence review, there is a clear view of the future for the GDF.

He said the GDF organisational analysis has been completed and their focus is now on the completion of the GDF strategic plan.

Best pointed out that, those tasks having been done, there will be strategic responses to national defence and security and the review would answer most of the concerns.

“As we await our budget for 2010, we will continue to ensure efficient delivery on our obligations. This organisation is enhanced by our activity based budgeting process, which has taken root in our financial and logistic system,” he explained.

Best said the conference continues to be one with a difference and said the Commander-in-Chief was invited not only to address the opening but to return at the end.

He said the Army has embarked on a process of re-engineering to enhance defence and national security and the journey continues.

Best said the Officer Corps remains committed to completion of the process.

He stated: “Today we are elated to see the fruits of our efforts and encouraged to persevere against all the challenges and we intend to complete the transformation of this force.”

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Best recalled that, when they met last year, they saw the need to complete the analysis of the GDF organisation; the strategic defence review; the strategic defence plan and the GDF month/year development plan.

He said completion of the analysis will impact positively on the task ahead and, presently, they are in the process of the second phase of completing the strategic defence review.

Best also spoke about incidents in 2009 which involved ranks and officers that tarnished the image of the GDF, including when some soldiers committed criminal acts.

He said those have since been dealt with by way of the civil or military courts and some were even dismissed.

“I have also addressed this deviant behaviour with other Heads of Services and the Joint Services and we will lead by example. Our expectation still stands and those who do not reach the requirements are no longer suitable,” he maintained.

Best said they will no longer protect under achievers and remain steadfast to serve in honesty, integrity and selflessness and lives and actions must continue to be exemplary in other areas.

He said those who intend to stain the good image and competence of the GDF will be separated.

Among those present at yesterday’s event were Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Clement Rohee; Police Commissioner Henry Greene; Fire Chief Marlon Gentle and Director of Prisons, Dale Erskine.

The objective of the conference is to reflect on previous accomplishments and failures and deliberate on the future course of action.