A SIX-member team of Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Ensigns currently undergoing training on the Standard Officer Course Number 52 (SOC 52) on Friday displayed collective input of strength and excellent camaraderie to win the Force’s Second Quarterly Fitness Competition. Accumulating an overall total of 398 points, with an 80.4 per cent pass rate, the Ensign ‘A’ team narrowly edged out the usually dominant Special Force Squadron, whose ‘A’ team placed second with a total of 386 points. Meanwhile, the SOC 52 Ensigns ‘B’ team placed third with 375 points. The highest possible score was 495 points. A total of 17 teams, which included three female teams, participated in the competition. The female team of Base Camp Stephenson edged its counterparts, and was adjudged the most outstanding female team. The two-day competition saw the teams competitively manoeuvering several military disciplines, which included a six-mile run, obstacle crossing, falling plate shoot and target shoot. According to the Coordinator of the competition, Base Adjutant Major, Joslyn Assanah, there was a marginal increase in some areas of the competition, while there were significant deficiencies in some disciplines.
Designed after a typical infantry patrol, the Quarterly Fitness Competition seeks to test the fitness levels of ranks, ratify the combat effectiveness of troops, and evaluate the ranks grasp of tactical doctrines and concepts. In brief remarks following the competition, Chief of Staff, Brigadier Godfrey Bess extended congratulations to the winning teams and applauded the coordinators for the successful conduct of the competition. He re-emphasised the importance of leadership by the team leaders and assistant leaders, noting that it serves as the “benchmark for the successful completion of tasks”. Brigadier Bess went on to charge his ranks to train harder and foster camaraderie among themselves, which will contribute to the overall effectiveness of the Force in the execution of its tasks and duties. He also reiterated calls to unvaccinated ranks to get up to speed and joined the Force’s efforts in the fight against COVID 19. “I am imploring you to get vaccinated. Protect yourselves and your families,” he charged. The first place male team received a monetary prize, medal and trophy while the other winning teams were awarded with trophies and medals.
