SOME 30 officers, drawn from units across the military, graduated on Thursday, following their successful completion of the Drill Course 2021-01.
The six-week course was designed to improve the personal “drill standards” of all senior and junior non-commissioned officers of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).
Drill is defined as the preparation of soldiers for performance of their duties in peace and war through the practice and rehearsal of prescribed movements. In a practical sense, drill consolidates soldiers into battle formations and familiarises them with their weapons.
In his address to officers who graduated from the drill course, Lieutenant Colonel, Matthew Chichester, congratulated them on their dedication and commitment throughout the course.
He charged them to avoid letting the ‘buts’ and ‘circumstances’ of life cause them to deviate from their professional and personal goals.
“The word ‘but’ is a dream killer! Ask anyone who is not living to their full potential. They would say, ‘I wanted to do this or that but this or that happened.’ Don’t be one of those people. Whatever you want you can achieve as long as there is hope. Anything is possible, and with discipline and commitment, success is continuously achieved,” he said.
Corporal Letitia Myles won the prize for best-graduating student while Staff Sergeant, Carlisa Benjamin, was runner-up for best-graduating student. Corporal, Devon Nurse, won the prize for best drill.