Lt Col Marlock: Championing Indigenous participation in national defence

With over 22 years of distinguished service in the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Lieutenant Colonel Kirk Marlock—of the Akawaio nation—has become a proud voice advocating for greater inclusion of indigenous peoples in the country’s national defence strategy.

Indigenous representation in the GDF has increased over the years since 2002, the year an 18-year-old Marlock first joined the ranks.
Now 42, Lt Col Marlock sat down with Guyana Times to share his journey, his vision, and the vital role indigenous communities can play in safeguarding Guyana’s sovereignty.
National defence is not just about fighting wars, he emphasised, noting that it is also about protecting the wellbeing of the country—everything from food security to territorial integrity.

A unique skillset
Lt Col Marlock explained that indigenous communities offer a wealth of skills honed over generations—sustainable living, survival techniques, and an intimate understanding of Guyana’s vast, often unforgiving landscapes.
“We’ve been living off the environment sustainably for centuries. We know the land, the jungle, the flora, the fauna. This knowledge is critical, especially in border regions, where our communities are quite literally on the frontlines of national defence,” he said.
He believes these qualities are invaluable, and more indigenous youths should be inspired to enlist and serve their nation.
Born in Kuropong, a small village in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Marlock was raised in poverty as one of six children to his mother. His mother made difficult sacrifices, even leaving for Imbaimadai to work, while he and his siblings were cared for by an aunt.
Eventually, the family reunited in Georgetown, when Marlock was still a young lad.
“Georgetown was a very new world to us. In Kuropong, we fished, hunted, planted… coming to the city, we didn’t even have a proper place to stay. Seeing traffic, riding in a bus—these were all firsts for us,” he recalled.
“As an Amerindian coming to the city, it was a new experience, it was a difficult experience,” he added.
In fact, Lt Col Marlock noted that their early years in the city were marked by instability, frequent relocations, and poverty.
Eventually, they settled in Charlestown and a young Marlock attended the St Andrew’s Primary School.
“We’d walk long distances to school with no food. We had months of blackouts—candles were the order of the day,” he explained.
“My peers, they’d wonder why you not eating lunch at school, while they’re having lunch, they’re wondering why you not having lunch but essentially, you don’t have any lunch. Sometimes to remove the shame of being at school, you just walked home, stay there for lunch and then go back to school,” Marlock recalled.
Still, he held on to hope.
“I always felt there was something greater in store for me. I stayed committed to my education and self-discipline.”
Later in his teenage years, he moved in with his sister and her partner, Hadin Gonsalves, who helped support his schooling—a gesture he remains deeply grateful for.
With their support, Marlock transferred from Christ Church Secondary to the privately-administrated Mae’s Secondary, where he completed ten subjects. His education opened his eyes to the beauty and diversity of Guyana, and it inspired him to serve.

Life in the military
In 2003, Marlock completed the nine-month-long Standard Officers Course 35. Of the 55 recruits who began—including several from the Caribbean—only around 30 completed the first week. He was the only Indigenous recruit from that cohort to graduate.
“There were times when you felt like you wanted to quit, not because of the challenges of the course but because of some levels of racism,” he expressed.
But his upbringing gave him an edge.
“They were teaching you to conserve on water, to conserve on food, to be able to do things under pressure…having no food, being cold, being hungry, being tired, I was accustomed to those things already. The only challenges I faced was feeling not being included,” he noted.
From swimming in creeks at age four to surviving three days lost in the jungle during training, Marlock’s connection to the land prepared him well for military life. Yet, despite his competence, he often felt overlooked for promotions and recognition.
In time, though, he adopted a broader perspective.
“What matters isn’t material things—it’s your connection to the Earth, your spirituality, and your ability to uplift others.”
This philosophy has shaped his military career and helped him find deeper meaning in service. Recently, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and recognised by the Indigenous Peoples Commission—a constitutional body whose mandate is to protect and promote the rights of indigenous peoples across Guyana.

Intelligence and duty
Much of Lt Col Marlock’s career has been dedicated to military intelligence, though he’s had his share of field action.
He recounted one covert operation in Eteringbang, where he discovered a group of Venezuelan soldiers illegally staying at a hotel on Guyanese soil.
Lt Col Marlock recalled feeling empowered to take a stand against such a wrongdoing and how he mobilised support to confront the issue.
He also recalls his brief time as a member of the Coast Guard responding to a report of piracy off Guyana’s shores and how he made a judgement call to stay on the rough waters overnight in order to provide that extra feeling of security to the country’s fisherfolk.
He acknowledged that fear is a natural part of human nature, but explained that it is often overcome through military training. Knowledge and teamwork, he added, are powerful antidotes to fear.
Now serving in the Office of the President, Lt Col Marlock works closely with the national security advisor, helping shape strategies of national interest. Armed with a degree in Public Management from the University of Guyana (UG), he remains committed to lifelong learning.

First line of defence
Despite all he’s achieved, Lt Col Marlock’s mission remains clear: to elevate the voice and presence of indigenous peoples in national defence.
“Indigenous peoples in my view, they are the first line of defence for Guyana. If you go at Barima Waini, you have the Lokonos and Arawaks and sometimes you have some Warraus and all the way down to the bottom of the map, you have the Wai Wais. Without the presence of these people there, you would find that people (who mean bad) would be coming into our territory and occupying our land,” Lt Col Marlock outlined.
He believes that the very presence of these communities along borderlands is a declaration of sovereignty.
“Toshaos are legitimate leaders. Their presence sends a message—this land belongs to Guyanese.”
He added that Indigenous knowledge—of water sources, trails, wildlife, and trees—is vital to demonstrating rightful ownership and stewardship of the land.
“They know this land, they know where the creeks are, they know where the animals are, they know exactly how to identify the trees; these are important things to demonstrate, you have the authority over the territory, that Guyanese own the land, and that contributes to sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Meanwhile, Lt Col Marlock – who hails from the Essequibo region – has made it clear that he stands resolute in his commitment to defending his territory against any threats.