CHIEF-OF-STAFF designate of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Mark Phillips, who was recently promoted to Brigadier, promises to bring professionalism to his tenure upon confirmation in September.

This promise came after Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Donald Ramotar and Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon conferred on him and Colonel Julian B. Lovell the insignia of the rank of Brigadier, (a rank above that of Colonel.)
Brigadier Phillips will be succeeding outgoing GDF Chief -of- Staff, Rear Admiral Gary Best, who served in that capacity for six years, and will officially depart office on September 17. Best was promoted to Rear Admiral on August 19.
September 16 is the date set for the official installation of Brigadier Phillips as the new Army Chief-of-Staff. The ceremony will take place at the Office of the President.
It is President Ramotar’s wish that both Brigadiers Phillips and Lovell carry on the mantle of hard work and dedication towards the development of the army and security forces as a strong and professional body.
Meanwhile, Brigadier Lovell, who has 35 years in the army, is thankful that the government entrusted him with the confidence to become a Brigadier General, even though he has 20 months remaining in the force.
Brigadier Phillips attended and successfully completed the 50th Advanced Course in Hemispheric Defence and Security at the Inter-American Defence College at Fort McNair, Washington D.C. during the academic year 2010-2011.
The college, an international educational institution operating under the aegis of the Organisation of American States (OAS), provides a multi-disciplinary, graduate-level course of study for senior military and civilian officers.  It is a rigorous one-year course that aids in the comprehensive understanding of governmental systems, the current international environment, the Inter-American system, and security issues affecting the Western Hemisphere and the world.
Brigadier Phillips is a native of Linden, who attended the Christianburg Primary School, and the Christainburg Wismar Secondary School (Multilateral School), prior to joining the GDF in December 1980.
As a graduate of the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, in the United Kingdom in 1981, Brigadier Phillips served the GDF in several junior and senior level appointments over the past three decades.
Monday’s conferral ceremony was witnessed by Brigadier Phillips’ wife Mignon Phillips, daughter Maya, son Tyon and long-time army partner Gerard Payne, while Brigadier Lovell was accompanied by wife Beverly and daughter Chantal.
Rear Admiral Best who, Brigadier Philips thanked for providing career guidance and support, was among the senior officers witnessing the event.