….safeguarding fundamental values and putting a human face to life in the army
The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) will take resolute action to ensure that its fundamental values are not subverted by indisciplined soldiers and deserters, at the same time adopting a humane culture and putting a more human face to life in the Army. Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Commodore Gary Best MSM, made this statement on the occasion of the 45th Anniversary of the founding of the Army, being celebrated under the theme: “Transforming for continued service”.
Amendment of its pregnancy and drugs policies, foundation and academic classes for all ranks up to CXC and University Level, additional health care through  medical insurance schemes for family members of staffers,  establishment of a day care center for children of  staffers and establishment of a  Veteran’s Department are some of the measures in place or being put in place for the welfare and well-being of its members.
The Chief of Staff said that the soldiers whose photographs had been published recently had in the main been those who left before their three-year period of service was over.
“We need to maintain that military ethos that states prescribed years of service and prescribed methods by which you leave the Force.  We cannot allow people to leave the GDF and do nothing about it. It would break down discipline within the military and the public would not have the kind of defence force that they would expect to have.
He stressed that the disciplinary procedure for deserters who turned themselves in was necessary to prevent this offence  and to send a clear message  to others that if they desert they will sooner or later face disciplinary action.
He said the Army is urging the deserters to return, go through the prescribed disciplinary process for desertion and then be properly processed out of the GDF rather than remain on the list of deserters.
“The clock never stops ticking for deserters. People can desert for fifty or sixty years and the clock keeps ticking. So you may find a man who is eighty years old facing prosecution for desertion. Deserters are kept on the list for as long as it takes for them to come in, be disciplined and then discharged.”
“This is the ethos of the military,” he said.
The Chief of Staff said the Army has amended its pregnancy policy and drugs policy in adoption of a more humane approach to these social dilemmas facing its ranks.
Female ranks now have their first pregnancy protected. Prior to this, the rule was that a female could not become pregnant and bear a child within the first two years of service.
Some became pregnant and aborted the child, sometimes hurting themselves in the process.
“The new policy is that it doesn’t matter how soon after they join the military that they get pregnant. That is no longer a problem. They can go ahead with the pregnancy. But thereafter they have to observe the two year rule,” he said.
Steps are being taken to rehabilitate first time offenders who have tested positive for drug use. In all cases so far, the drug used is marijuana.
The original rule was immediate dismissal for any soldier found positive.
That rule has been amended to 90 days probation and rehabilitation for the offender.
Only if tested and found positive after this period will an offender face dismissal.
The Commander disclosed that the Army has embarked on an academic education programme that will benefit all ranks and take them to CXC and technical institutions levels.
The programme has been launched but will get into full swing in January.
It is a back to school programme with distance learning taking every soldier who participates back to Forms 1-5, and then CXC, which the Army will pay for.
Then they can get into technical institutions and better themselves so that can be of value to society when they leave the Army.
The Force will also continue to provide education up to University level.
“We are also taking steps to provide additional health care through medical insurance for families of all ranks. Our long awaited Day Care facility that will provide first class care to children of our ranks is now a reality and our Veteran’s Department is finally being established. These two facilities will be dedicated this month as we continue our anniversary celebrations.
“We are also putting a human face to our military life and are creating an organization that is inclusive of our families,” he added.
He disclosed that the Army will continue to forge stronger ties and bonds of friendship with the civil society through dialogue with the Government in statecraft partnership programmes with the public, through confidence building measures such as mentorship programmes and youth development, and with past serving members through positive interactions.
He said the Force was positioning itself to continually transform to suit the changing and emerging threats to territorial integrity, sovereignty and security.
“The Force is using certain transformational tools to deal with these emerging challenges. We have completed our organizational analysis and are currently undergoing a strategic defence review process. This will inform our strategic defence plan and our multi-year development plan,” he disclosed.
He assured that the Army is aggressively pursuing the missing AK 47 weapons and will not stop the pursuit until all are recovered.
The Force will also continue to discipline any and all of its ranks who breach operational procedures.