THE recruits currently undergoing training on the Basic Recruit Course have been given their first taste of Christmas at the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and a feeling of being part of the military family.

Colonel General Staff, Colonel Julius Skeete and a team recently took Christmas cheer to the Colonel John Clarke Military School at Tacama, Berbice, a training base.

In his address to the training staff and recruits, Colonel Skeete thanked the recruits for choosing to serve and stated, further, that the leadership of the Force is ever cognisant of the sacrifices each soldier makes to be able to serve the nation.

He explained that Soldiers’ Day provides the opportunity for Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers to say thanks to the other ranks.
“Of course no one day can express the thankfulness of the leadership.

This (Soldiers’ Day) is just a symbolic gesture where we give you the opportunity to relax and be served by your seniors. I know you are missing your family, but you are also part of the GDF family and we are glad to have you,” he said.

Further, he urged the members of the training staff, as well as the recruits, to remain focused and to take advantage of the opportunities to pursue professional development. He commended the recruits for having the discipline to take their COVID-19 vaccines, adding that it was important for the members.