“We need to stand ready to face today’s challenges, as we prepare for tomorrow’s fights”
– Army Chief of Staff Commodore Gary Best
THE Guyana Defence Force (GDF) celebrated 45 years of service to the Guyanese nation with a thanksgiving ceremony at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) in Georgetown, yesterday. At that forum, the Chief of Staff, Commodore Gary Best said the paradigm of the Army’s operations must change to suit new threats to the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
“Forty five years of service to the nation is certainly an amazing accomplishment…after 45 years, the Force has made a unique contribution to the development of the land and we stand ready to continue to transform to suit the changing and emerging threats,” he pledged. 
Best said the re-engineering and transformation of the GDF will be accomplished through the new strategic direction that will be outlined in the Force’s strategic plan, currently being developed.
The role of the GDF is, essentially, to defend the territorial integrity of Guyana and assist the civil power in the maintenance of law and order when required.
In that context, Best explained that the serving ranks must understand the changing environment that is the world today and recognise that, 45 years later, the Force has to deal with new and evolving criminal activities.
“Increase in narco-trafficking, increase in gang wars…our celebration comes at a time when peace and stability is continuously redefined,” he observed.
He said the GDF has to use new “transformational tools” to address emerging challenges.
Best said climate change is also a new challenge of which the Force needs to be cognisant.

CHALLENGES
“We need to stand ready to face today’s challenges, as we prepare for tomorrow’s fights,” the Commodore maintained.
He said the GDF needs to be open, transparent and relevant.
“We must have greater accountability at all levels…we must be strong, resolute and critical in the execution of our tasks. We must be clear and unwavering in our pursuit to maintain a safe environment,” Best urged.
He reiterated that the Army must reflect honesty, integrity, fairness and selflessness and the attitude of officers, their professional conduct must transcend social and racial barriers.                                                  
Best said those attributes must be the hallmark of the Force’s work and the values found at times of introspection.
According to him, the GDF’s past is marked by the contributions of brave men and women who gave and sacrificed much to shape the Force known today.
He said, building on that foundation, increasing emphasis is being placed on training, among other areas, with the aim of improving capacity.
Best said officers of the Force are being encouraged and supported to complete secondary and university level education and the Veterans Department is in the process of being established.
He said health care for officers and their families is one primary area of support for officers’ families.

CREATE
Best said the Force needs to create an organisation that is “inclusive to our families” as it continues to organise activities that are family oriented.   
However, even with the moves being made, inclusive as they may be, he acknowledged that the achievements of the Force may be overshadowed by infractions by some of those in the service.
Best admonished those in command to use their “moral compasses” to address such infractions, as they are a reflection of the entire Force in the eyes of the public.
“We need to meet the standards of citizens and the State we serve,” he insisted.
Best said the GDF will continue to focus on high standards, integrity, selflessness and excellence in all areas.
The GDF was established on November 1, 1965 with ranks from British Guiana Volunteer Force (BGVF), Special Service Unit (SSU), British Guiana Police Force and civilians, with training assistance from the British.