–Junior GDF ranks stress

FOLLOWING the recent enforcement of the tattoo policy at the Guyana Defence Force, ranks affected by this are calling for the policy to be reviewed, or for financial assistance to be given to them since the medical procedure to remove the tattoos are way beyond the reach of their pockets.

Back in January, the GDF announced that in keeping with the tattoo policy outlined in Article 4066, a decision was taken that ranks with visible tattoos should have them removed by May 2017. That deadline has since been extended to September 2017.
As GDF Public Relations Personnel, Major Delbert George told the Guyana Chronicle back in January, there are certain policies governing the operations of the army and all of its officers, including new recruits, and they must upheld.

Those policies, he said, also speak to the visibility of tattoos while wearing any form of military attire, including PC shorts and military training T-shirts.
The Guyana Chronicle sought the opinion of some junior ranks on the matter, and many have said they fear they might lose their jobs since they simply cannot afford the cost of removing the tattoos by laser treatment.
Some are also labelling the edict as unfair, since they were recruited into the army with their tattoos, only to be told now, years after in some cases, that they should have them removed or face the consequences.

One private based at Camp Ayangana who completed his training in 2015, revealed that the GDF has put him between a rock and a hard place since he cannot afford to lose his job, nor to have the tattoo removed.
The young soldier said when he did the interview to join the army, he did so with all of his tattoos on his arms and neck visible. He recalled that at the time, the interviewer was Colonel George Allan Lewis, now Brigadier and Chief of Staff, and he had asked about the tattoos and what he planned doing about them.

And his response was, “I said, Sir, there’s nothing I can do about the tattoos, as right now, I am just trying to seek a job to help my family in whatever way I can help them.”
He said that after giving his reply some thought, Lewis asked whether he planned on getting any more tattoos, and he answered in the negative.
Probably satisfied with his response, the youngster said, he was subsequently accepted into army and completed his training successfully.

A RECENT DIRECTIVE
He said that it was only last December while serving recruits Christmas Lunch that President David Granger, after seeing ranks with visible tattoos, enquired about the enactment of the policy. It was thereafter, he said, that the order was instituted for the removal of all visible tattoos.

Badly wanting to keep his job, the recruit said he immediately visited the Balwant Singh Hospital, where he asked about the removal procedure and was told that it would cost $30-$35, 000 per session, and that it would require three to four sessions to have them all removed.
Clearly at his wits end to find a solution, the youngster said: “I have a young child; I does pay a house mortgage of $25, 000; my salary is only $58, 000.
“I am a private soldier; I have so much responsibility on my hands, they putting me in something that I can’t afford.

“And even though it will take four sessions and the ink wouldn’t be in my skin anymore, the mark will be left like a brand.” it will be.”
He said that after realising the quandary he was in, he then sought the advice of his Commander, but did not receive a positive response.
He explained what transpired: “I went at my Commander of my unit and I said, ‘Sir, you know I came in the work with these tattoos, and I asking that when we draw we double April, if you can help me with something to put towards starting the treatment.’
“I explained to him the debts I have to pay: A house mortgage plus I have a young baby who is just five going on six months… Plus I have to look after my girl; she going full- time school.

“My salary is just $58,000; that is why I go and ask he. I walked out the office feeling down and depressed, because I said at least he could have seen I really want the work and he could have helped me.”
That approach having failed, he said, he next opted to write the Chief of Staff seeking his assistance, but was told that he was not allowed to do so.
Another rank, a reservist, said he too was recruited with his tattoo on his upper left arm, but was told that he would need to have them removed.

He said he made several efforts to do so, but all he got for his pains is a terrible skin infection which continues to spread.
“Persons told me it was very risky to take off, but I show the GDF that I really want this work,” he said, adding:
Even when I go to the hospital, they say taking off tattoos is very harmful to the body and to the skin.”
The ranks are also claiming that their dismissal will be a breach of their contract, since their three year tenure is not yet completed.