8 lieutenant colonels among 80 GDF officers promoted

Eighty officers of the Guyana Defence Force regular and reserve components were promoted on Sunday evening as President Dr Irfaan Ali, as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, approved a list of advancements s Guyana celebrates its 56th Republic Anniversary.
Eight officers were promoted to the rank of substantive Lieutenant Colonel are Lieutenant Colonel Jocelyn Asana; Lieutenant Colonel Levy Langevine; Lieutenant Colonel Marvin Simpson; Lieutenant Colonel Kevon Gray;, Lieutenant Colonel Jamie Costello; Lieutenant Colonel Damon Joseph; Lieutenant Colonel Keith Watts and Lieutenant Colonel Dr Eason Reed.
Two officers were promoted to the rank of acting Lieutenant Colonel. They are acting Lieutenant Colonel Delray McLean and Acting Lieutenant Colonel Farhan Uthman.
One officer was promoted to the rank of substantive major. Acting Major Michael Favorite attained the substantive rank.
Five officers holding the rank of substantive captain were promoted to acting major. They are acting Major Ikondeo Jeffery, Acting Major Captain Samuel Klein, Acting Major Captain Sherwin Collins, Acting Major Captain Rohan Marshall, and Acting Major Captain Waveon Samuels.
Three Reserve officers were also promoted to acting major. They are Acting Major Fabian Stewart, Acting Major Captain Hubern Collins, and Acting Major Captain Jermaine Watson.
Two Coast Guard officers were promoted to the rank of Substantive Lieutenant Commander with effect from January 1, 2025. They are Lieutenant Commander Coast Guard Derek Johnson and Lieutenant Commander Coast Guard Clinton Venture.
One Coast Guard officer was promoted to Acting Lieutenant Commander. He is Acting Lieutenant Commander Coast Guard Eason Trim.
The remaining officers promoted include those advanced to the ranks of substantive captain, acting captain, substantive lieutenant coast guard and lieutenant.
Five female officers of the Regular and Reserve Forces were among the young officers promoted to Substantive Lieutenant. They are Second Lieutenant Princess McPherson, Second Lieutenant Asante Campbell, Second Lieutenant Erica Fort, Second Lieutenant Rosalie Pereira, and Second Lieutenant Crystal Crawford.
The announcement was made during the flag-raising ceremony at Parliament Building to mark Guyana’s 56th year as a Republic.
During the Republic Anniversary address to the nation on Sunday, President Ali said that Guyana’s Republic is being made safer and more secure.
“A nation cannot build if it fears for its borders. Our valiant men and women in uniform stand vigilant, their capabilities boosted with unprecedented resources. And on the world stage, when it comes to the defence of our territory, we have assembled an able and capable team to argue the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award before the International Court of Justice. Let no one be mistaken: history and international law are on our side. Our borders are sacred, and we will defend them,” he said.
He added that as a collective unit, one collective whole, the Guyanese people, “we thank our men and women in uniform. We thank them again and again for their selfless service. Know that your home, your land, and your brothers and sisters hold you up, hold you up every day in strength, honour and dignity.”