CHIEF of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF),Brigadier Mark Phillips and the Guyana Defence Board are aiming to make the Infantry Battalion Reservists very visible and equipped to provide strong support to the army.The Chief of Staff made this disclosure yesterday afternoon in an address at the closing of the annual camp for the Second Infantry Battalion Reservists at Base Camp Seweyo, along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

Brigadier Phillips accompanied by senior officers, paid a visit to the location to express his gratitude to those volunteers who underwent the two-week training that prepared them to be a reserve force in the GDF.
In his address, he reminded the reservists of the Defence Act which speaks to the need for the GDF to consist of a regular force and a reserve force, with the latter being charged with supporting the work of the army in defence and maintenance of order in the country
At the moment, some reservists from previous training stints are in charge of the GDF’s operations at Lethem, the Chief of Staff noted.
It is hoped that the reservists can be regrouped in such a way that they can provide services in the hinterland locations through programmes of the government, such as contributing their skills of engineering, masonry, etc.
Already the GDF is looking to ensure that it develops reservists who will be able to support the Army’s Air Corps, Coastguard, Artillery, and Engineering Corps, among the other areas of the army.
The Chief of Staff also charged the trainers and organisers of the camp not to restrict the reservists to training at the two main bases identified, but also allow them to see their country and other areas where the GDF provides active service, especially in interior locations.
At the moment the reservists who completed the recent training are mainly from the coastland areas, but Brigadier Phillips noted that there is a need to work tirelessly to ensure that reservists from the border locations such as Regions 7 (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), 8 (Potaro-Siparuni)and 9 (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) should also be part of the camp next year.
Meanwhile, reservists who will be heading out from the camp this weekend were assured by the Chief of Staff that their stipends will be ready for delivery.

It is expected that next year, the camp will be better as such issues as inadequate uniforms, expansion of the course, mobility and training materials are presently being addressed.
The Chief of Staff, in concluding his charge, called on the reservists to stick to their weekend training programme and to be ready to be part of another exercise in jungle training which comes up later this year.

And in his remarks, Colonel Patrick West, who served as Camp Commander, said that the exercise was not without its challenges as he pointed to the dropping out of a small number of reservists and some health complaints that were treated at hospitals in Bartica and Linden.
He also expressed appreciation for the support which was given to the management team at the base from Camp Ayanganna in Georgetown.
The camp brought together reservists from Regions 2 (Pomeroon-Supenaam), 3 (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 4 (Demerara-Mahaica), 5 (Mahaica-Berbice), 6 (East Berbice-Corentyne) and 10 Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice), and had a strength of 10 officers, 24 staff, and 230 other ranks.
Now that the camp has officially completed its core training, those who are willing to stay on as regular soldiers will be given the opportunity to do so. They were required to submit their names

and on Monday they are expected to report to the GDF Headquarters where they will be processed to join the regular ranks of the GDF.
The reservists yesterday put on a display for the Chief of Staff, showing newly acquired skills in weapon proficiency, drills and patrolling techniques.

By Leroy Smith