THE Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has announced that its first recruitment cycle for 2014 has met with significant response from Guyanese youths from all across the country.

One hundred persons submitted applications to be trained as officers on the Standard Officers Course (SOC) number 47, while another 700 youths have applied to be trained as soldiers on the Basic Recruit Course.

Forty-eight potential officer cadets are presently completing their assessments. This includes those who would be selected for training at US military institutions during 2014.

Four hundred and seventeen of the recruits, who have passed the entrance examination, are completing documentation. They will also complete a physical fitness examination prior to being sent on training.

GDF Chief of Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips, is upbeat about this development, and says the response by Guyana’s youths is testimony to the fact that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) continues to be a strong national institution in which the people of Guyana repose their confidence.

The Chief of Staff has said that the GDF will continue to offer a robust and stable environment in which the youths of Guyana can find a place not only to develop personally, but, more importantly, as professionals to serve the GDF and Guyana.

“Joining the Guyana Defence Force is all about building your careers; and during your service, we will utilise the Academic Education Programme and offer opportunities to develop trade skills through technical education and vocational training within the GDF and at the GTIC, GTI and other training institutions,” he was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the Guyana Defence Force.

The Standard Officers Course number 47 and the first Basic Recruit Course (BRC) for 2014 are scheduled to commence shortly.