THE Guyana Defence Force (GDF) will, on Wednesday, February 29, be hosting the Talent Competition for the contestants in its Miss GDF 2012 Pageant, which is part of the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) 45th Anniversary celebrations. The pageant, with 14 contestants from the major units and departments of the GDF, began on February 1 with the sashing of the delegates by their respective commanding officers at the auditorium in Base Camp Ayanganna, Thomas Lands, Georgetown.
The pageant delegates will be judged in four areas – Swimsuit, Fitness, Talent and Evening Gown and Question and Answer.
Apart from the sashing, the swimsuit and the fitness competitions were held on the February 16 and 17, respectively, at Base Camp Stephenson, Timehri, East Bank Demerara.
In the talent contest, each participant will be given three minutes to display a natural ability of their choice and this rivalry will be staged at the Coast Guard Headquarters, Ruimveldt, also in the city.
The pageant, like the first, staged five years ago, aims to showcase the diversity of military women, who, despite their commitment to service, are not neglectful of their traditional roles.
The winner, therefore, must convince the judges of her excellent soldiering skills in several mental and physical activities. As such, the fitness segment is an integral part of the competition.
It tested the contestants’ physical endurance, retention levels, combat readiness and marksmanship, as they had to complete a three-mile run, a memory test, an obstacle course, shoot down 10 falling plates and engage in grenade throwing.
The pageant culminates with the Evening Gown and Question and Answer on Friday, March 9, at the National Cultural Centre, starting 20:00 hrs.
Several activities have been planned by the WAC to celebrate their 45th Anniversary milestone and acknowledge the invaluable contribution that its women have made and continue to make to the development of the GDF as an institution.
The programme includes a church service, a day of relaxation, a debate competition, distribution of hampers to retired female soldiers who are shut-ins at their homes or care institutions and the launching of a mentorship programme at the New Opportunity Corps (NOC).