Following a three-year stint at the helm of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Mark Phillips is set to hang his hat up on his tour of duty in the military as he goes off on retirement.
Phillips, who hails from Linden where he attended the Christianburg Primary School and the Christianburg Wismar Secondary School (Multilateral School), joined the GDF in December 1980 at the age of 19.
He is a graduate of the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, in the United Kingdom and is the holder of a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences – Public Management from the University of Guyana, as well as a Master of Science in Public Sector Management from the La Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra in the Dominican Republic.
The outgoing Chief-of-Staff has held several appointments, including Colonel (Administration and Quartering), and Colonel (General Staff) during his 30-plus years of military service. He was also Guyana’s Head of Delegation to the Inter-American Defence Board from 2008 to 2009, and was up to 2011 Guyana’s non-resident Military Attaché to Venezuela.
Brigadier Phillips is also the recipient of several awards, including the Border Defence Medal, Military Service Medal and 40th Anniversary Commemoration Medal along with the Star of Carabobo from Venezuela as well as the Peace Keeper Medal from Brazil and the Brazilian Navy – Admiral Tamandare Medal.
The outgoing Chief-of-Staff was promoted to the rank of Brigadier back in 2013 by then President Donald Ramotar before he took command of the GDF, succeeding Rear Admiral Gary Best.
As he embarks on a new path after some 35 years of serving the Guyana army, he is looking to continue his service to the country, but as a civilian this time around.
A farewell and passing out parade will take place today in honour of Brigadier Phillips as he steps down and hands over the reins of the GDF to his successor and current Deputy Chief-of-Staff, Colonel George Lewis.
