-trailblazers recognised, female ranks urged to uphold standards, lead with competence

HUNDREDS of women currently serving in the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) Women’s Army Corps (WAC) along with thousands who have retired, were honoured on Tuesday during a thanksgiving service marking the corps’ 59th anniversary.

The observance, held at Base Camp Ayanganna, Georgetown, featured vibrant songs, dance performances, and military displays by members. Beyond the celebration, the event also served as a moment of reflection on the contribution and continued role of women within the GDF.

Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, highlighted the impact and development of the WAC, while Commanding Officer of the Corps, Colonel Lorraine Foster, issued a call to action to female ranks, underscoring the importance of commitment, discipline, and maintaining standards, while being recognised for readiness rather than gender.

Describing the occasion as one he was pleased to be a part of, Brigadier Khan said the anniversary recognises not only women currently serving, but also those who first paved the way. “In January of 1967, when the first women entered the defence force, it was not simply the formation of a corps. It was the affirmation of a conviction that courage recognises no gender, and service belongs to those who are willing to stand. And when those very first women laced their boots, they laced Guyana’s future. They paved the journey of distinguished service alongside our men, serving our country.”

Since then, he noted, the WAC has evolved beyond a historical milestone to become a major pillar of Guyana’s defence structure.

Brigadier Khan also challenged members of the Corps to continue striving to be recognised for excellence beyond gender, urging adherence to standards of discipline, competency, and integrity.

“The Women’s Army Corps is proof that the Defence Force is not sustained only by one. Because you, our female rank officers and other ranks, have served in every season; in routine and in response, in administration and in operations, in training institutions, in peer roles and in command, in quiet professionalism and adaptability,” he said. “In doing so, you have expanded the nation’s imagination of what is possible. We have taught young girls across Guyana, from the coastline to the hinterland, that service is not reserved for some, but always appeals to those who are willing to rise,” Khan added.

Commanding Officer of the Women’s Army Corps, Colonel Lorraine Foster, described the anniversary as both a time for reflection and direction-setting. In a spirited call to action, she emphasised the importance of commitment and standards, noting that fitness, weight standards, and professional appearance are conditions of service, not personal preferences.

“Let me say this without ambiguity. We are officers and soldiers of the Guyana Defence Force. Our obligation to duty, discipline, and service is equal to that of our male counterparts,” she stated.

She warned that ignoring standards compromises both individual credibility and the integrity of the force. “Career progression, leadership opportunities, and command confidence are directly tied to fitness and growth,” Foster said, adding that the aim is to produce confident, capable, and operationally relevant female soldiers who are viewed as assets to the success of missions.

Addressing equality within the force, Colonel Foster noted that while the GDF remains committed to providing an environment free of discrimination or exploitation, personnel are still expected to perform at the highest level.

“Protection does not equate to exemption from standards. The force must provide an environment where potential can be realised, where each soldier must decide to step forward,” she said. That step forward, she added, must be deliberate and focused. “Our presence must never be symbolic. It must be earned and sustained through competence. This has already been demonstrated on demanding courses and competitive training environments where women, often in the minority, have graduated as top performers.”

Advocating full integration, Colonel Foster urged women in the corps to step beyond traditional roles and comfort zones. “It is not enough to excel on courses, but to be prepared to serve across the breadth of military roles and environments. This includes infantry, artillery, engineering, special forces, air and transport elements, and leadership appointments at platoon, company, and battalion levels.”

Capability, she stressed, determines appointment, not gender.

“Equality means equal opportunity, equal responsibility, and equal accountability. Opportunities will be afforded based on role, merit, and readiness,” she added.