Army Chief promises recruits education “right up to UG”

TIMES INT'L

Against the background of the force’s heightened focus on the education of its ranks, Chief of Staff, Commodore Gary Best on Thursday officially declared open the first Basic Recruit Course for 2012, telling recruits that the GDF will educate them right up to the university level once they are capable enough.

Some 155 recruits started training at the Colonel John Clarke Military School at Tacama on March 26. In addition to military skills, the training programme also consists of an intense back to school foundation level education programme in Mathematics and English Language.

The foundation level is complemented by higher level education training throughout their military career, one of the best on offer, Best said.

Addressing the recruits in the main Lecture Hall at Tacama, Commodore Gary Best stressed that education is the foundation of knowledge and the force remains committed to its rank in this regard. “The Guyana Defence Force is committed to providing each soldier with the opportunity to acquire academic education in additional to military skills,” Best insisted.

This, he said, was part of the force ensuring that its ranks are able to maintain a good standard of living and social conduct. Commodore Best commended the recruits for their choice to serve their country, and urged that the tasks ahead would require great sacrifice. He said the GDF is an institution of instruction and that no physical violence is permitted against any student on any course.

“The training staff has a responsibility to train you, not oppress you, but they will train you hard so you fight easy,” he advised. He also told them that after training, they must be role models to the youths when they return to their villages, and also to work to keep their communities safe from crime and disasters.

Recruits will also receive training in a number of other areas, including foot and arms drills, field craft, map reading and navigation, national policy, skill-at-arms, military law, minor tactics, internal security and physical training, over the next 10 weeks.

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