Days after caretaker President, David Granger called on members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to be loyal to him, he has granted approval to Chief of Staff, Brigadier Patrick West to proceed on accumulated leave with effect from July 1, 2020. The Brigadier’s accumulated leave will end in March 2021.
Colonel Godfrey Bess
As a result of this development, Colonel Godfrey Bess was appointed by Granger to function as Chief of Staff; Colonel Trevor Bowman, Inspector General; Colonel Sherwin Anderson, Quartermaster General; and Colonel Raul Jerrick as Adjutant General with effect from July 1.
In light of this being his pre-retirement leave, Granger extended best wishes to Brigadier West for his service as an officer in the Defence Force since 1985.
Brigadier West, who is now 54, served as the country’s 10th Chief of Staff.
He expressed gratitude to the caretaker President and the Board for both “specific and general direction” which he said has helped to shape the course of effective transformation within the Force, while at the same time developing the concept of Total National Defence.
“I am certain that the momentum of the Force at this stage can see the seeds of transformation which were sown coming to fruition in another few years”, he noted.
“I think Colonel Bess will have a very good foundation going forward,” Brigadier West said while describing his time in the military as “very good.”
Brigadier West is the recipient of the Military Service Star, Military Efficiency Medal, and the Border Defence Medal, among others.
Brigadier Patrick West
Meanwhile, 51-year-old Colonel Godfrey Bess said it was an honour to have been bestowed with the privilege of serving as Chief of Staff of the Defence Force and thanked the President and the Defence Board for the opportunity to serve while Brigadier West proceeds on his accumulated leave.
Colonel Bess thanked also, Brigadier West, whom he has worked with over the last three years on what he termed the consolidation and stabilisation period of the GDF.
“Brigadier West’s leadership has been admirable. I have learnt a lot from him. The vision is clear and indeed what I need to do with my team is follow the vision,” Colonel Bess said, noting that “the path is clear and I will follow that path.”
Colonel Bess, who started his military career in 1990 served in Command, Administrative, Staff and Training appointments throughout the GDF. He said his professional education was supported by the compulsory professional military education of the Guyana Defence Force which includes the Senior and Junior Command and Staff Courses and Managing Security in Wider Defence Context.
Colonel Bess has been serving as Quarter Master General since January 1, 2018, and has been responsible for ensuring that the GDF is well resourced to carry out its mandate in any terrain.
He has received military training from the Colonel Ulric Pilgrim Officer Cadet School – Guyana, the United States of America Military Police School – Alabama, the Caribbean Junior Command and Staff School – Jamaica and the Shrivenham Defence College, United Kingdom.
Colonel Bess is the holder of a Bachelor of Social Science Degree in Business Management and Level Two Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
On Thursday last, Granger demanded loyalty and obedience to superiors in the hierarchy of the Guyana Defence Force in the execution of their duties and to, among other things, support and defend the State against all enemies whomsoever in upholding the preservation of the Constitution of Guyana.
