CHIEF-OF-STAFF of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier George Lewis, has warned against the abuse of trainees, declaring on Thursday that the practice would not be tolerated by the military.Two soldiers were, in 2006, charged with the death of Officer Cadet Amar Rajcumar, who was then undergoing training at Camp Stephenson, Timehri. Christopher Harmon and Kurt Trotman were charged with allegedly murdering the soldier. Reports were that Rajcumar, who had joined the GDF nine days prior to his death, collapsed after a training session. A post-mortem later found, among other things, that he died from a blow to the head.

An army training officer was dismissed in 2007 after he allegedly abused recruits while they were undergoing training at Tacama. One of those recruits was a pregnant female. In a press statement issued back then, the GDF had said that investigation had confirmed instances of excessive punishment administered by over-enthusiastic training instructors. Following that incident, the GDF had said that it was committed to providing at Tacama and its other training facilities a safe environment for high-intensity training for recruits, officer cadets and members of the Force.

Addressing soldiers at a church service to mark the GDF’s 51st Anniversary, Brigadier Lewis stressed it was desirable to have an environment of mutual respect, wherein trainees are treated humanely and with respect, and they, in turn, respect their instructors.

“No abuse of trainees will be accepted. I emphasise: no abuse of trainees will be accepted. Further, in the training environment, we must work from one common doctrine to support our operations, and we must conform to the relevant tactics, techniques and procedures. Change is necessary, and this is the time for change,” Lewis charged.

“I say all of this to you because I believe that the officer and rank that we will see in the future GDF will be a replica of what we teach him or her today in their formative years. I also believe that to develop a defence force that is professional and highly respected in the future, we who serve today must change our thinking and attitudes in the training environment, and implement those measures necessary for change,” he declared.

STRONGER TIES
Lewis further stated that the GDF cannot divorce itself from the society. “Our very existence requires an integrated presence with society. Therefore, the future Guyana Defence Force must forge stronger ties and bonds of friendship with the civil society, with governmental departments, and with our former members, our veterans. We must embrace our veterans, since we will all soon become veterans; and here I wish to applaud the efforts of the Guyana Veterans Legion for its attempts at bettering the lives of veterans; and the Veterans Commission, chaired by Colonel Desmond Roberts, which is currently examining issues surrounding veterans. I wish you both every success in your endeavours,” he said.

RESERVE
Touching on the resuscitation of the Guyana Peoples Militia, Lewis reminded his soldiers that the organisation was resuscitated by a Presidential Directive last year, and in the coming years will be actively involved in recruitment to supplement the regular Force.

“Our national economy cannot sustain a large regular military Force. So, like Israel, we must build a strong Militia so that it can supplement the regular Forces during times of need. I exhort all Guyanese to see it as your national duty to join the Guyana Peoples Militia and play your part in Guyana’s defence,” Lewis pleaded.

The army chief said soldiers must be clear and unwavering in their pursuit to maintain secure borders and a safe living environment for all Guyanese. “We who serve today must define what our best practices are, and adhere resolutely to those practices. These are exciting times for the Force. We must be in step with the policies of the Guyana Defence Board, and at the same time (be) one step ahead of our competitors for the same resources so necessary for the Force’s continued existence.”