— says President Ali at ceremony to officially recognise five newly promoted officers

PRESIDENT Irfaan Ali on Monday unveiled plans to have the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) play a more significant role in the country’s development.
He made the announcement during the course of a simple but symbolic ceremony at State House to officially recognise the five newly-promoted officers of the GDF, which event saw him pinning them with their new badges of rank.

Those officers so recognised were Colonel Gary Beaton, who was promoted to the rank of Substantive Brigadier, and Lieutenant Colonels Ronald Hercules, Julius Skeete, Omar Khan and Kenlloyd Roberts, who were all promoted to the rank of Substantive Colonel.
Four of the officers, except for Colonel Skeete, who’d received his in 2018, were also awarded the coveted Military Service Medal (MSM). Regarded as the second highest commendation in the life of a Serviceman, the MSM is usually awarded for exceptional service, above and beyond the call of duty, or for gallantry while in action.

In his address at the mid-morning function, President Ali said that not only were the promotions long overdue, but necessary to the strengthening of the Army’s leadership, and a manifestation of the Defence Board’s intention to ensure that the GDF is continuously manned by a team of professional and highly-motivated officers.

“I congratulate Brigadier Gary Beaton on his appointment; his promotion is duly deserved,” he began. “I commend him for his outstanding and committed service; his service is worthy of emulation. His elevation to the rank of Brigadier should serve as an incentive to others to strive for greater professionalism and excellence in the discharge of their duties.”
Turning his attention next to Lieutenant Colonels Hercules, Skeete, Khan and Roberts, President Ali said, “I also extend congratulations to the other newly-appointed Colonels; their promotions are meritorious and overdue. I charge these five officers to give their full support to the acting Chief-of-Staff, who retains my confidence. Other promotions will follow in the future.”

IMPORTANCE OF PROMOTIONS

On the subject of the importance of promotions, the Commander-in-Chief said they are essential to entrenching a system of meritocracy and to reward performance, qualification and experience, and his government will ensure that it adopts a policy to ensure that all those deserving of promotion are so elevated.

Speaking specifically to the subject at hand, President Ali said: “The second purpose of today’s ceremony was to confer the Military Service Medal on four officers. The Constitution of Orders of Guyana at Article 32 (1) provides that the Military Service Medal may be awarded in respect of military service by Members of the Guyana Defence Force, in action or other distinguished service beyond the call of duty. As President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, and in the exercise of the duties of that office, I was pleased to confer the award to [these Officers]. I congratulate the recipients; they are richly deserving of this honour. The nation acknowledges and salutes their splendid service.”
Moving on to other matters of equal importance, President Ali said that as the country moves forward, the Defence Board has commenced discussions on how the military and the men and women of the Armed Forces can become more integrated in their communities, and how their service can and will be utilised at the level of communities.

INTEGRAL TO DEVELOPMENT
“Guyanese must not only see these distinguished men and women in uniform as just members of the Army; they must see you as a key and integral part of development; of their community and national development,” he said, adding: “Our military is blessed with great men and women, with tremendous skillsets and experience and the know-how. The time has come for us to harness this great potential in our military to uplift and build communities all across the country.”

On the subject of making the military more community-oriented, engaged and aligned with national development goals, particularly as Guyana continues to emerge as an oil economy, he used the opportunity to urge the men and women before him to see themselves not only as distinguished men and women in the Army, but to play a key role in community and national development.
“We must think outside the box as we chart a course where the military will be actively and integrally involved in the development shift and advancement of our country, especially with the oil-and-gas sector; new security challenges, border challenges,” the president said. “The military must play a major role in the emerging needs of our country,” he added.

Members of the Defence Board, including the Prime Minister, Brigadier (rtd) Mark Phillips; Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr. Anil Nandlall; and Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Robeson Benn also attended the ceremony.