EIGHTY-eight officers and 260 other ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) have been promoted effective January 1, 2014, according to an announcement from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).The said declaration informs also that in accordance with the Defence Act, Chapter 15:01 of 1977, Chief-of-Staff Brigadier Mark Phillips has announced that the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Donald Ramotar, has approved the 42 officers and 96 other ranks being confirmed in their positions; while 46 other officers and 164 other ranks have been elevated in rank.
Heading the line-up of promotions are Lieutenant Colonels Sherwin Anderson and Godfrey Bess, who were confirmed in their rank. Lieutenant Commander Orin Porter of the Coast Guard was promoted to Acting Commander, while Majors Dwain Jervis, Trevor Bowman and Kenlloyd Roberts have been promoted to the rank of Acting Lieutenant Colonel.
Army sources said four Majors, inclusive of one female, have been confirmed in their rank; while substantive Captains Dwayne Carter, Mark St Claire, James Fraser, Julian Archer and Drumson Mc Aulay have been promoted to Acting Major.
Seventeen Acting Captains, including three females, are now confirmed in their rank; while substantive Lieutenant Jocelyn Mc Allister has been promoted to the rank of Acting Captain with effect from January 1, 2014.
Ten other Substantive Lieutenants, including one female, are now Acting Captains.
Ten Acting Lieutenants have been promoted to substantive Lieutenants, while 10 Second Lieutenants have been promoted to Acting Lieutenants.
For the Coast Guard section, Acting Lieutenants (CG) Nigel Backer and Wayne Richmond have been confirmed in their rank; while substantive Sub-Lieutenants Paul Castello and Travis Morgan have been promoted to Acting Lieutenants (CG), and seven Acting Sub-Lieutenants have been confirmed in their rank.
In the GDF Reserve, Substantive Captain Earl Edghill has been promoted to Acting Major; while 10 Second Lieutenants have been promoted to Acting Lieutenants.
Two hundred and sixty other ranks have been promoted. Of this number, 96 have been confirmed in their rank, while 164 have been elevated in rank. Heading this group is Staff Sergeant Christopher Harmon, who has been promoted to Acting Warrant Officer Class Two.
Warrant Officers Class Two Dwayne Layne, Marcia Williams, Sherlock Rigby, Dyanor Wilson, Leyland Liverpool and Hesley Craig have been confirmed in their appointments. The remaining 253 other ranks have been promoted through ranks ranging from Acting Warrant Officer Class Two to Acting Lance Corporal.
Other promotions in the Coast Guard saw substantive Petty Officer Dexter Fraser being elevated in rank to Acting Senior Petty Officer. Meanwhile, three Acting Petty Officers were confirmed in their rank, while five substantive Leading Ratings are now Acting Petty Officers. Six Acting Leading Ratings are now confirmed in their rank.
Additionally, three substantive Able Ratings have been promoted to Acting Leading Ratings; while five Acting Able Ratings have been confirmed in their rank. Ordinary Rating Collis Parkinson has been promoted to Acting Able Rating/ substantive Able Rating, and four other Ordinary Ratings have been elevated to the rank of Acting Able Rating.
Soldiers confirmed in their rank have earned the “Substantive” (Sub) in that rank, after previously holding the “Acting” rank.
At a simple but significant Badging Ceremony, the recently promoted senior officers were decorated with their new badges of rank by the Chief-of-Staff, who was assisted by Deputy Chief of Staff, Colonel Kemraj Persaud. The officers were congratulated by the other senior officers present, and the recently promoted Majors were welcomed to the Corps of Senior Officers.
The Commander-in-Chief and the Chief-of-Staff have both extended congratulations to all the promoted soldiers.