A batch of 27 officer cadets has been promoted to Ensigncy, signalling their transition to the second year of training to pursue officership.
This is according to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) on Wednesday, which in a release stated that Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Godfrey Bess and Commanding Officer of the Training Corps (ag) Lieutenant Colonel Lorraine Foster decorated the potential officers with their new badges of rank. This was done during a parade held in their honour at the Colonel Ulric Pilgrim Officer Cadet School (CUPOCS) Drill Square, Base Camp Stephenson, yesterday.
Some of the officer cadets who were promoted to ensigncy
This batch is the fourth to benefit from an improved and restructured Standard Officer Course, extending the range of knowledge and skills training for potential Officers. Beginning in 2017, the GDF stated that the course was developed from 12 to 24 months, allowing students to complete academic training for an Associate Degree in General Studies from the University of Guyana. The Associate Degree includes introductory courses in Macroeconomics and Statistics, Development Psychology, Supervisory Management, Counter-Terrorism training and Foreign Policy.
In his address to the Ensigns, Brigadier Bess said he was pleased with their determination to stay the course despite all the difficulties and adversities. The 27 students are from a batch of 44 who commenced the training. Some withdrew, while others failed to achieve the required standards. “I want you to feel a sense of accomplishment today that you have done what so many other could now. You commenced your training during a global pandemic and many of you have to battle the physical effects of COVID 19 in addition to the rigours of training. I applaud your resilience. You are tougher, stronger, physically and mentally fitter and better prepared for your second phase of training on your journey to officership,” the Chief-of-Staff was quoted by the GDF as saying.
Bess urged the Potential Officers to promise themselves to ensure that they are amongst those whom the President will commission in another year after completing their final training phase. “There will be no shortcuts and failure to achieve set standards will result in you not being commissioned. Continue to do your best! Do not become complacent! You have not yet arrived! Phase two has only just begun, so remain steadfast in your determination to complete this final leg of your journey,” Brigadier Bess urged the Ensigns.
Nineteen of the newly-promoted ensigns are new members of the GDF. Four are from the Guyana Police Force, two from the Guyana Prison Service and two from the Guyana Fire Service. One of the cadets is also from the Guyana National Cadet Corps.
