BASE Camp Stephenson, Timehri yesterday saw President and Commander-in-Chief, Donald Ramotar, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, representatives and Heads of the Disciplinary Forces, Senior Officers, families and friends of Officer Cadets of

the Guyana Defence Force, Colonel Ulric Pilgrim Officers Cadet School witnessing the Officers Cadet Day.
President Ramotar witnessed the Officers Cadet Day for the first time since ascending to office last December and spoke briefly to the gathering.
The President congratulated the 11 Officer Cadets, 10 males and a lone female in coming through what he described as a vigorous exercise and congratulated the Guyana Defence Force for conducting such another course as he stressed that ‘we should not compromise in anyway the training since its necessary to the security of our country.”
He noted that the physical ability displayed by our Cadets and mentioned the vigorous theoretical training they were exposed to noting that this will create the foundation of our army.
Speaking of the world we live in today and the demand in science and technology in providing security for our nation, the President exhorted that our officers must be able to be abreast and be able to use much more sophisticated equipment in providing the defence services required.
He also thanked the parents of the young Cadets who have given themselves to the vigorousness of the training as he indicated that it’s extremely important to the development of the nation and security.
Continuing on the role expected in securing the nation and the expectation of developing the sector as an important ingredient he thanked the parents for sending their children and give service at what he considers a very important part of our society.
Moreover, he told the Cadets that this training will last them for the rest of their lives and he said that he was sure that it would give a positive example to your peers and other members of society.
He urged the new Officer Cadets to treat this experience as a new beginning to the development of themselves and their career and must see it as the beginning of a new career and to continue their hard work and discipline in what they would have acquired here can serve them in every aspect of their life and future development of their career. He implored them to always remember the good name of the army and whatever they do in the community that they live in or wherever life journey takes them, in and out of the army, to remember the name of the GDF and their country Guyana.
He assured the Cadets that the government will continue to provide the requisite resources needed for training and execution of military duties.
Army Chief of Staff, Commodore Gary Best said we have been able to witness the skills acquired over the past months during the Standard Officers Course #46.
He told the Cadets that he knew what their mental and physical facilities underwent and are still undergoing a metamorphosis.
He said the Cadets went through a major change during the training course and congratulated them for a job well done.
“You must also feel honoured to be trained to serve your country and have been making many sacrifices to do so,” Best said
He noted that the presence of the Commander- in- Chief and members of the defence board validated the importance of their training and security and defence of Guyana.
The Army Chief told the Cadets that their families must be proud of their fine military display and perfectly skills that they displayed, pointing out that they too have sacrificed much for them to be there and urged all parents to continue to support their children over the years as it takes the GDF and parents to produce good officers.
He urged the Cadets to maximise on their training as the skills demonstrated were of a high standard and to strengthen their command so that they can become a good leader-fearless, selfless and one who has his integrity and above all being professional.
‘At all times ensure that your conduct is proper and that you continue your training with an attitude of zero tolerance that relates to issues of disobedience to protect the integrity of this school, the Officer Cadet School and to continue in the spirit of honesty,” Best exhorted.
He added: Let your military education be complimented by reading in all areas of life. Remember if you have a proper knowledge base you would not make a bad decision to put your fellow cadets and men at risks so read and keep educating yourselves.”
He gave congratulations to the training staff for moulding the men and women of the cadet school and urged them to continue to study and train hard. He urged them to be the best they can be and to adopt a must succeed attitude and is confident in what he has seen so far and the briefing that he has received that the course objectives have been met if nothing less.
The Cadet’s Day activities saw demonstrations of martial arts, run and assault course, rappelling from the GDF Bell 412 helicopter house clearing display, falling plates shooting displayed, weapons display, ravine crossing and jungle survival.
These displays demonstrated the transformation from civilian to military life over a period and the adaptation to training in the military field in becoming an officer of the GDF and more over serving their country.
Parents, friends and families were thrilled with the display and demonstrations and some who sat and stood in tears as the love ones displayed their military skills.
Officer Cadet 999159, Stacy Cadogan, the lone female on the course demonstrated to those present that she has adopted the knowledge and training disseminated to her during the training and caught the eyes of all present.
Also present were Fire Chief, Mr. Marlon Gentle, Assistant Commissioner, Mr. Balram Persaud representing the Commissioner of Police among others.