welcomes FSM William Richmond

THE Guyana Defence Force (GDF) honoured outgoing Force Sergeant Major (FSM), Warrant Officer Class One (WO1) Raul Rodney, MSM, during a relief and appointment ceremony held Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at the Auditorium, Base Camp Ayanganna.

The solemn two-fold ceremony saw Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, MSS, expressing his profound gratitude to WO1 Rodney for his exemplary service which spanned over three decades, and also presenting the incoming FSM WO1 William Richmond with his Instrument of Appointment.

This ceremony, the first of its kind to be held by the GDF, is designed to recognise the profound impact that the holder of the FSM appointment has on the Force.
CDS Brigadier Khan, in his remarks, noted that the appointment of FSM is a critical one to the overall function of the Force. He also reflected on the dedication and commitment to service displayed by WO1 Rodney during his tenure. Brigadier Khan also praised the incoming FSM, highlighting his wealth of experience having held the appointment on two previous occasions.
Noteworthy, both WO1 Rodney and WO1 Richmond were trained on the Basic Recruit Course 1993-01 and have given 31 years of dedicated service. WO1 Rodney commenced his FSM tenure on November 25, 2020.

In his speech, WO1 Rodney relayed a moving reflection with anecdotes from his early years, various career milestones, his notable achievements and contributions, his time in service as the FSM, and some final encouragement to his colleagues and successor encouraging them to continue to embody their oath of ‘SERVICE.’

“As I step away from active duty, I extend my most profound encouragement and advice to the Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) who will carry the GDF into the next century. I urge you to remain grounded in the GDF’s core values and standards. Lead with humility, foster teamwork, and always prioritise the welfare of those under your care. Be mentors and good role models to the soldiers and invest time into developing their skills as your guidance will shape them into tomorrow’s leaders. Embrace continuous learning and professional growth. A strong NCO corps is the foundation for the GDF to thrive. I leave with immense pride, deep gratitude and boundless hope for the future of the GDF,” he said.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Senior Officers, Officers, Warrant Officers, Senior Non-Commissioned Officers, ranks and civilian employees of the Force extend congratulations to FSM Richmond and thank WO1 Rodney for his exemplary service and wish him well in this new chapter of his life.