COMMODORE Gary Best, Chief of Staff (CoS) of the Guyana Defence Force, commissioned the building designated as the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Sergeants Academy at Base Camp Stephenson, Timehri, East Bank Demerara, yesterday morning.

In his feature address, the commodore told the gathering that when the annals of the Guyana Defence Force are chronicled, this day will also be written in history as the day the GDF commissioned the GDF Sergeants’ Academy building.
He said it goes to show the GDF is committed to quality training and development of its non-commissioned officers, its middle management corps, and he thanked all the ranks whose hard work had made the day come to fruition.
Commodore Best deemed it an honour to be celebrating the project with all of the ranks. He said it was good to know what the future of the building holds for the GDF, and that, as the building was being dedicated in the spirit of development and training of sergeants to achieve their calling, he hoped that the walls of the building would provide the space for nurturing the minds and sharpening the leadership skills of the men and women of the GDF.
He added that dedication of the building is demonstration of the GDF’s vision for sergeants – equipping them with necessary facilities to promote their development.
The CoS said, “It is said that every building has a story. I trust that this building will have stories of excellence, perseverance, discipline, determination of those trained there to remain resolute, firm and focused in the task ahead.”
Following that address, the ribbon was cut to declare the Sergeants Academy building open, then a tour of the facility followed.
The edifice is equipped with a bed and wardrobe for each person assigned there, and there is an ablution area with a bathroom and several washrooms, besides the spacious area where the classroom is located.
Giving a synopsis of the Leader Sergeants Course-01, Captain Marvin Simpson, Commanding Officer of the Sergeants’ Academy, said the academy is an initiative of the Force’s headquarters, and seeks to provide leadership-based training for non-commissioned officers of the GDF.
The course commenced on October 19, 2012, and formal training which was started on October 29, 2012 is expected to conclude on June 7, 2013. He said a total of 27 ranks joined the course initially, but that number has been reduced to 13 today.
The objectives of the course are to effectively perform the duties of a sergeant in the GDF, and administer and lead soldiers in the absence of an officer.
The guiding principles are leadership, loyalty, discipline and competence.
Colonel Khemraj Persaud, Commanding Officer at Base Camp Stephenson, also made brief opening remarks yesterday.
The activities relating to the graduation of the first cadre of sergeants trained in the Force’s inaugural Leader Sergeants Course will see a graduation church service on June 5 (today) at the Auditorium at Base Camp Ayanganna at 09:00hrs, followed by the Graduation Parade at the Drill Square at Base Camp Ayanganna at 16:00hrs on June 6, 2013.