GDF unit commanders pledge to lead with integrity, discipline, dedication

Commanders of several key units within the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) have pledged to lead with integrity, discipline, and dedication as they formally assumed command this week. At a recent ceremony, Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, MSS, presented Instruments of Command to the newly appointed officers. The Instrument of Command, a formal document of authority, empowers an officer to make decisions, exercise leadership and ensure the effective functioning of their assigned units.
Those assuming new command positions include Lieutenant Colonel Drumson McCaulay, Acting Commanding Officer of the Training Corps; Lt Col Andy Pompey, Base Commander at Base Camp Stephenson; Lt Col Courtney Mendonca, Base Commander at Base Camp Seweyo; Lt Col Dominic Shepherd, Commanding Officer of the 3rd Infantry Battalion; Lt Col Harold Fraser, Commanding Officer of the 2nd Infantry Battalion; Lt Col Gordon Nedd, Base Commander at Base Camp Ayanganna; Lt Col Joslyn Assanah, Acting Commanding Officer of the Air Corps; and Lt Col Cranston France, Commanding Officer of the 4th Engineers Battalion.
As part of the ceremony, the officers also took a Command Affirmation, formally pledging their commitment to uphold the highest standards of military leadership.

In his address, Brigadier Khan reminded the Officers of the weight of responsibility that comes with command. He urged them to draw on their careers, ranks, and experience to give their very best, noting that the GDF expects excellence and the people of Guyana deserve no less.
He emphasised that the Instrument of Command is a clear reminder of explicit authority and accountability, encouraging each Officer to strive to make their unit the best. Brigadier Khan extended congratulations to the Officers on their new appointments and wished them success as they take up their new leadership roles.
The unit commander joins some 525 GDF ranks promoted earlier this year. The promotions were done in accordance with Part III, Section 16 of the Defence Act, Chapter 15:01 of 1977. The promoted ranks included three Class Two Warrant Officers being elevated to Acting Class One Warrant Officers, while one Class Two Warrant Officer has been made substantive. Two substantive Staff Sergeants were promoted to substantive Class Two Warrant Officers and three substantive Staff Sergeants to Acting Class Two Warrant Officers. Further, 10 acting Staff Sergeants have been made substantive, while eight substantive Sergeants have been promoted to acting Staff Sergeants, and 42 Sergeants have been made substantive.
In addition, 57 Corporals have joined the Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Corps through their promotion to acting Sergeant, while 62 Corporals have been made substantive. Furthermore, 116 Lance Corporals have each been elevated to acting Corporal, 75 acting Lance Corporals have each been made substantive, and 49 Privates have each been promoted to the rank of Acting Lance Corporal.
Coast Guard ranks of the GDF have had 32 promotions, including one Chief Petty Officer having been made substantive, two Senior Petty Officers having been promoted to acting Chief Petty Officers and one Senior Petty Officer having been made substantive. An additional 28 other ratings have promoted or been made substantive in their respective ranks.
The Guyana National Reserve has seen 65 of its ranks being promoted.