HUNDREDS turned out yesterday at the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Headquarters at Base Camp Ayanganna to witness the ceremonial Change of Command Parade in honour of Rear Admiral Gary Anthony Best, wherein he handed over duties to Brigadier Mark Phillips, who will now head the army.

Among those present at yesterday’s event were Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces President Donald Ramotar and First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar, several Government ministers, members of the diplomatic corps and senior officers within the armed forces.
In his outgoing speech, Rear Admiral Gary Best encouraged his successor to discharge his responsibilities with pride, and serve his country with honour. He also urged the new Chief of Staff to be strong and hold his ground as he heads the organisation, while ensuring that he keeps his family close to him and get their support.
“Do not be bound by the tenets of the old,” Rear Admiral Best cautioned Brigadier Mark Phillips.
Best told the gathering that his leadership grew and was shaped out of the experiences of life, and he pointed out that it was not an easy task. In his very brief but concise speech, Best noted that it was “a bitter/sweet moment” for him to witness the Change of Command Parade, but it provides the avenue for him as he prepares to serve his country in new capacities as the years go by.
The Rear Admiral said the Guyana Defence Force has a lot of potential and places to go in terms of development, but those will not be achieved without the necessary infusion of resources. He therefore called for redirection and channelling of resources and other facilities to make the process possible, and expressed confidence that goodwill exists among the rank and file serving the organisation, but said there must be some synergy for the effective and efficient serving of the force.
He reminded that the Guyana Defence Force was made to be served by those who enrol, while those who occupy leadership positions need to understand that theirs is the responsibility to ensure that those serving under them are properly taken care of. There must, moreover, be the energy behind those in authority to ensure that those below them are also educated.