A U G U S T , 2 0 1 5 V O L U M E 8 , I S S U E 1 4

I am a professional in the Guyana Defence Force .”SERVICE” is my Motto.

Reservists of Annual Camp 2015 at JATS with the COS, Brigadier Mark Phillips, CO 2 Inf Bn Colonel

Patrick West , and members of the training staff.

A lthough a bit tired from lengthy preparations for, and then their

actual demonstrati ons, the Reservists who experienced the GDF Annual

Camp 2015, exuded enthusiasm. Theirs was the privilege of gaining military training

during the two-week li fe of the Camp:

training for which, they all volunteered.

Indeed, the reservists indicated that , from beginning to end, they valued the experience. “During the training, I learned so much and did a lot that I never thought I was capable of,” shared one Miss Heywood of Den Amstel, West Bank of Demerara. Young Mahendra Persaud of Lusignan, who works as an auto mechanic said that, although the surroundings and being away from his family took some getting used to, the two-

week camp was a great learning experience for him. “It provided me the opportunity to live with so many other persons in a strange environment, and we all learned to work together as teammates. Apart from the other skills I learned, learning to survive in the jungle simply by using only what was available to us, was

really great.!”

Another reservist who is a teacher, said that, as a

result of her experiences on the camp, she intends to encourage her students who are preparing to finish school, to become a part of the annual camp

experience.

These remarks reflect the overall experiences of

the 300-odd reservists who participated in this year’s camp. Drawn from Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and Ten, they were mobilized by Reserve

Officers who had fanned out in those Regions and encouraged youths to become part of the Annual Camp experience. The ages of the Reservists ranged from 18 - 41. About 25 are gainfully employed while

the others are unemployed.

According to Commanding Officer of the Second Infantry Battalion Reserve - 2 Inf Bn (Res), Colonel Patrick West, the Camp was designed in

part, to expose the reservists to the fundamentals of Closed Country Warfare and Jungle Operations skills, that could be used to support and protect the mining and forestry industries, enable an easier formal transition from Coastland to Interior living, and to curb phobias usually resident in citizens,

regarding the military and what it does.

Chief of Staf f , B rigadier Mark Ph il l ips , congratulated all the reservists for challenging

themselves to participate in the Camp. “The reserves has been here since the establishment of the GDF and, as we celebrate 50 years of service, we are also celebrating the service of our reservists!” he said. “The defence of Guyana and the guarantee of her territorial integrity depends on a robust and vibrant Reserve force.” He added. “You, who are present at this year’s Annual Camp, have volunteered to be trained and to be brought to a stage of readiness during this camp. I ask you

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

Reservists applaud Annual

Camp experience….

Pg 1

Editorial-Opinion (Op-Ed)

&

Why I chose the GDF...

Pg 2

Joint Services benefit from

Presentation on Terrorism

Pg 3

Annual Camp 2015 in

pics….

Pg 5

Pg 6 & 7

Scenes from 2015 Drill

Competition...

OR Colin Lewis is Best

Boxer...

Pg 10

Pg 11 Brain Teasers, Quotes,

Quizzes and Funny Stuff...

GDF regains Best Gym

Title……..

Pg 12

SOC #24 celebrates 22nd

Anniversary...

Pg 9

50th Anniversary Ms GDF

pageant kicks off….

Pg 8

MP and All Arms Courses

close….

Pg 4

P A G E 2

S O L D I E R

Opinion - Editorial Competition can be brutal. The difficulties associated with competition are largely thought to be of a physical nature.

One may cite size, speed, force, and such physically-related elements. Some elements which are often overlooked are

dexterity and the ability to think.

As our victorious boxers may attest, while size and speed may matter to some extent, a successful boxer has to be able to think quickly and constantly. He must think about how and when to move; when to use a jab or a feint, or when to punch. He must be thinking of the possible moves that his opponent has, what to do if cornered or if he corners an opponent. Registering a solid body blow may not be enough to win the fight, as the opponent may recover from the blow. Thinking and having specific and particular knowledge, like an opponent's weakness for example, could make a great difference in winning

or losing a bout.

Sometimes, in some competitions, one’s opponent may end up being a member of one’s team. In such situations, it could be a “brutal” thing to have to challenge or go up against someone whom you know, with whom you hang out , or with whom you have good times. You could be tempted to “go easy” on such an opponent. But, in competitions each competitor is seeking to win. So how can you reconcile the desire to win with keeping your “friendship and camaraderie in tact? That is a difficult thing to consider. As some of the members of the GDF Boxing team recently revealed; “We have to do what we have to do during competition (to win). But, we have always to remember that when it is over and done we are all still friends and

squaddies. We must never forget that.”

And so it must be for the 19 delegates who are representing various Units, Sub-Units and Departments of the Force in the 50th Anniversary Ms GDF Pageant; compete to win the title and the prizes, but do not compete to lose each

other’s friendships and support as soldiers.

Why I chose the GDF ... par tic ipa te d. E ach was a lear nin g experience. Each carried with it some

measure of danger. I learned much about planning, forecasting and teamwork. The

GDF has afforded me opportunities to

learn and grow.”

“One experience that I treasure very

much is my first visit to the Kaieteur falls at the Kaieteur National Park. A high-

ranking Brazilian military official was in Guyana for the dedication and the

hand ing over of the Tra in in g and Administration building at the Jungle and

Amphibious Training School at Makouria.

The building had been constructed and presented to the GDF by the Brazilian

military, and the Brazilian Officer was visiting the Kaieteur National Park and I

was a part of the visiting group. It was an honour to serve as the logistics person

during that visit.”

“Looking ahead, I aim to be elevated in rank to become a Warrant Officer

Class One, to gain opportunit ies to complete other military and academic

training and to continue serving with excellence. I‘d like to advise youths who

are seeking to join the GDF to not only come because they want a job, but to

come to live the experience of being a soldier . Be ing a soldier is all about

becoming disciplined, embracing proper

v a lue s , de ve lop ing f am i l y v a lue s , broadening your overall experience as an

individual and enhancing your life over

all. That’s why I chose the GDF!”

Force’s Re-Greening Exercise in 2014.”

“Looking at my career over the

past years, I must say that although

there have been many ups and downs, I am not disappointed at the career

choice I made. As a soldier, I have e x p e r i e n c e d m a n y p o s i t i v e

developments on the personal as well as at the professional level. My greatest

challenges have been during the many m i l i t a r y o pe r at ion s i n wh ic h I

20380 Corporal (CPL) Thyrone Warren is a Buxtonian. He gained

his formal education at the Company Road Primary (Buxton), the St

Agnes Primary, and the St George’s

Secondary Schools.

Subsequent to secondary school, CPL

Warren attended the Government Technical Institute (GTI) where he

successfully completed the two-year Craft Certificate Course in Plumbing. “After I

completed GTI, I travelled to the interior and worked for a while as an assistant

chef.

“In 2005, at the age of 21, I enlisted in the GDF. I had always wanted to be a

soldier and so, that year I successfully completed the Basic Recruit Course

(BRC), and was posted to the G2 Branch.” CPL Warren recalls that the first week of

the BRC was challenging. “After that first

week, it was smooth sailing,” he says.

“At the G2 Branch and in 2005 also, I

successfully completed the Grade II I Military Policing Course, and subsequently

served in the Branch for a total of four years. I was then posted to the Legal

Serv ices Department (LSD), where I

continue to serve.

CPL Warren completed the Junior

Leader course (JLC) in 2010 and also successfully completed the Grade II MP

Grading.

“ I s e r v e d i n E X E R C I S E HOMEGUARD in 2011 and also in the

P A G E 3 V O L U M E 8 , I S S U E 1 4

S O L D I E R

S enior Officers and ranks of the Joi nt Servi ces, packed the

Auditorium of the Guyana Police Force Officers Training

School at Eve Leary on August 11, for a special presentation on Terrorism, The

C hang ing Dynamics o f Terro r i sm and

Radicalisation. The two-hour presentation was delivered by Guyana-born, University of

Tennessee Professor of International Security and International Studies, Dr.

Khaleel Daniel Gibran

Professor Gibran set the stage for his

discourse by noting that, while the social scientist may seek to understand the causes and drivers of

the phenomenon, the psychologist, would seek to f i n d t h e

m o t i v a t i o n ( p sycho log ic a l

f a c t or s ) t h a t

d r iv e i t . T h e historian, would

be interested in d i s c e r n i n g

p a t t e r n s a n d understand how

those patterns a r e e i t h e r

represented or repeated; while

philosophically ,

one would seek to de f ine the

phenomenon and i n t e r r o g a t e

whether or not i t m a y b e

postulated as being good or bad for society. He explained that a definit ion of terrorism, was

something not commonly agreed on. However, he said that, in a simplistic

way, one could view terrorism as a

“form of unconventional warfare.”

Next, he out li ned e lements of

terrorism which, according to him, must all exist in tandem, in order for

any group or force to be recognised as being terrorist in nature. These, he

said, were: 1) the threat or actual use o f f or c e or v io le nc e ; 2 ) t he

inducement of psychological fear; 3) A motive for the violence, which

motive could be either polit ical, i de o l og i c a l or r e l i g iou s or a

combination of both; 4) the terrorism

has to be carried out by a group; and, 5) the violence or the attacks are

aimed at innocent civilians.

Regarding the History of Terrorism, the professor explained that, its

modern beginnings, were rooted in the Russian Narodnaya Volya, which focused mainly on political assassinations. According to him, terrorist activity

visited the world in “Four Waves”. Those were described as, the Anarchist Wave, the Anti-Colonial Wave, the New-Left Wave, and the current,

Religious Wave.

Professor Gibran explained that Radicalisation was a process: as he put it, “what goes on before the bomb goes off.” Radicalisation is the process where

by which a potential or prospective “terrorist” is prepared, becomes indoctrinated, and is psychologically conditioned, with the end product being,

an individual who has been radicalised. That person, he said, is now bearing an “intensity of feelings about a particular issue,” and will not hesitate to follow

orders given him/her. He pointed out that radicalisation tends to breed off of

grievances and feelings of humiliation.

Following a brief look at ISIS, he explained some aspects of perceived

Islamic radicalisation, explaining how aspects of Islamic teaching have

transitioned perspectives into becoming acceptable as not being illegal, by those who embrace the terrorist acts as such entities such a Al Queda. It was

noted however, that recruitment was the Achilles heel of terrorist organisations and that the initiation of programmes to stem such recruitment

is perhaps the most plausible mechanism to keep the expansion of terrorist groups in check. A very lively question and answer period followed the

presentation.

Professor Gibran was invited to Guyana, following a visit of Police

Commissioner Seelall to Trinidad and Tobago, where he had met and interacted with the Professor following the conclusion of a similar

presentation. The idea of the Professor’s visit was then pitched to and

accepted by the Joint Services Co-ordinating Council (JSCC). Chairman of the JSCC, Brigadier Mark Phillips thanked the professor for the “very timely

presentation”.

Recognising “terrorism” as a form of warfare, makes it critical for

personnel in Guyana’s security sector, to become well-advised on the

phenomenon. Answer from Page

seven riddle: Fred's wife need-ed to drive ten minutes less than usual, which is five minutes less in the direction of the station and

five minutes less back home. Therefore, Fred met his wife at five minutes to six. He had walked already since five o'clock, so he walked 55

minutes in total.

Professor Gibran (backing camera,)

delivering the Presentation.

P A G E 4

S O L D I E R

W h e n t h e G r a d e I I I Military Police Course

2015-01 concluded at BC(S) on

August 18, PTE Teon Wright of 2 Inf Bn (Res) emerged the Best Graduating Student. PTE Keshawn Richards of BC(S) was the Runner-Up Graduating Student. The two

were among 29 who successfully completed the course.

In his Feature Address to the graduates, SO2 G2, Major Andy Pompey entreated the MP’s to be professional in their approach and conduct of their duties. “As Military Policemen, yours is a tasking that carries with it a lot of responsibility. You are primarily responsible for the safety and security of all the GDF’s assets. That includes equipment as well as personnel,” he said, “On any of the GDF’s Bases, you are the first line of contact for officers, soldiers and

civilians who are seeking access to them. You have tasks to carry out and you must do so in a professional, yet friendly, manner. You are not to be afraid to do your duty. The Force expects you to do your duty. Where you are unclear about something, seek the guidance of

your superiors.”

PTE Wright said that he was happy to have been awarded the top honour. “At first I was a bit apprehensive, but as we moved into the s e c o n d w e e k o f tra in ing, I saw the opportunity to excel and I took it.” Private Richards said that, he was focused on doing h is best throughout

a nd h e v al ued th e

entire experience.

D u r i n g t h e

Course, participants studied areas such as Military Police Duties, National Policy, Skill At Arms, Drills and

First Aid. The Graduating Course members with Maj Pompey (seated, 2nd from right).

22164 PTE Keshawn Richards (left) and 23369 PTE Teon Wright (right)

wit their trophies.

I n b r i e f r ema rk s at th e closing ceremony

o f t h e co u r s e , O f f i c e r c o m m a n d i n g C o n s t r u c t i o n Company, 4 Eng Bn, Major Kennard L i v e r p o o l encouraged the graduates to use t h e i r n e w k n o w l e d g e t o

enhance service delivery at their units and across the Force, and to help younger soldiers learn the correct processes and procedures required for the efficient conduct of their work. He also challenged them to continue learning and improving their

skills, since advancement in the Force required that of them.

Participants on this course would have already competed the Junior All Arms Ordinance and the Junior Leader courses. The IAAOC prepares its students to supervise the daily operations of any store in the GDF, implement and enforce the GDF Material and Stores Regulations, and apply their knowledge to assist the RQMS in the execution of his

duties, among other things.

The graduates of the IAAOC 2015-01. Major Liverpool is seated (centre), with the

Adjutant Trg Corps, Capt Britton on his right and the Course’s Chief Instructor, Civ

Birch, on his left .

22494 Able Rating (AR) Quancy Burton and 21951 Lance Corporal Shenetsa Gordon gained the awards for Best Graduating Student and Runner-Up Graduating Student respectively, at the conclusion of the

Intermediate All Arms Ordnance Course (IAAOC) on August 7 last. They

were among the 14 students who successfully completed the course.

P A G E 5 V O L U M E 8 , I S S U E 1 4

S O L D I E R

R e s e r v i s t s d e m o n s t r a t e weapons skills and

execute foot and vehicular patrols at Base Camp Seweyo; d e m o n s t r a t e various animal traps for use in jungle survival at JATS, and demonstrate p r o f i c i e n c y i n shoot ing ,on the r a n g e , a t B a s e

Camp Seweyo.

to commit yourselves to attending further training and exercises planned for the remainder of 2015, because these will make you better trained and ready for your role in the defence and security of

Guyana,” Brigadier Phillips encouraged.

About seventy percent or some 210 Reservists, indicated their desire to become members of the regular force of the GDF. Colonel West indicated that they will be duly processed to become members of the next Basic Recruit Course. Meanwhile, the next

Annual Camp will involve citizens from all ten Regions of Guyana.

P A G E 6

S O L D I E R

T he Guyana Defence Force Band Corps, is celebrated for its role during Military Parades that mark traditio nal and

particular act ivit ies on the Force’s calendar, from year to year. Among these are parades mark ing Guyana’s I nde pe ndence and Re publ ic Anniversaries, Remembrance Day, and Commissioning Parades for graduating Officers., to name a few. Also noteworthy, is the Corps involvement during celebrated Force Anniversaries where a military tattoo is held, and

state funerals.

The members of the Military Band are known to bring smiles to thousands of faces during most of those events. It also gains exuberant applause from crowds of spectators, whether it is performing during an event at which members of the public are

largely present, or whether it is purely a military audience.

But, in this year of the GDF’s 50th Anniversary, the Officer Commanding Band Corps, and the soldiers who make up the Unit, have yet another reason to be proud. They are the winners of the 2015, 50th Anniversary edition of the Force Drill

Competition. With a total of 68.6 points, they beat the Coast Guard (CG) platoon (67.6 points) into second place. Four Engineer battalion (4 Eng Bn) finished in third with 66.5 points. For females, the top honour went to the platoon from BC(A)

which amassed 74.3 points, ahead of the combined BC (S)/CG

platoon.

The first place teams were presented with plaques and one 43-inch Samsung flat screen television each, while the second placed male team carted off a plaque and an electronic water

cooler.

Teams in the Competition were in training for more than five weeks in some instances. In all, some 10 male teams participated in the competition along with the two female teams. Team members

bared the brunt of the weather. Through constant application to learning commands and practicing stylized formations which included weapons handling and silent drills, their expertise emerged. Of course, the better teams emerged the winners. Coast Guard’s Petty Officer Kevin Price, and BC(A) SGT Maurees Skeete, were adjudged the Best Male and Best Female Drill Sergeants

respectively.

Deputy Chief of Staff, Colonel Kemraj Persaud, congratulated all the teams, and lauded their commitment and dedication to

learning and finally displaying their skills.

The Finals of the Competition were held at the Drill Square at Base Camp Ayanganna and were judged by Sergeants Flloyd Lewis and Joseph Grant of the Guyana police Force. SGT Lewis is

in charge of training at the Tactical Services Unit (TSU).

S O L D I E R

P A G E 7 V O L U M E 8 , I S S U E 1 4

Left to right from the top: Letitia Myles, Daniella Castillion, Ann Reynolds, Tiffany Smith, Odessa Romeo, Tiffany Williams, Carlesia Laundry,

Annastasia Phillips, Alicia Jack, Ludonna Naar, Fomba Ramsey, Indrani Lyte, Altya Bernard, Latoiya George, Kandra Thomas, Alicia Blackman,

Charlene Mercier, Roshena Newyear, and Trevette Saul.

P A G E 8

S O L D I E R

P A G E 9 V O L U M E 8 , I S S U E 1 4

S O L D I E R

A ugust 13, 2015, marked the

22nd anniversary of the enlistment of the members of GDF Standard Officer

Course Number 24. The course, which had commenced with some 23 Officer Cadets, graduated 16 Officers who were

Commissioned.

On Saturday, August 22, Lieutenant Colonels Courtney Byrne and Trevor Bowman, and Majors Lloyd Souvenir, Raul Jerrick and Jermain Cort, the five serving members of Course #24, marked the observance of the 22nd Anniversary, with a visit to the Joshua House Children’s Home, on Thomas

Street, in Georgetown, where they served breakfast to the

children who are resident at the facility.

“In many ways, we have been blessed to be a part of

the GDF, which is dedicated to serving the people of Guyana. Through our decision to serve, we have gained immeasurably from the Force and

from the people of Guyana. Our service as Officers is our duty to our country, but our service to those in less fortunate circumstances, is our service to the people of Guyana demonstrated in a different way,” said Major Cort. His

“squaddies” agree.

T he five “Brothers” are thankful not only for the opportunity to serve, but for all the opportunities to learn and grow as professionals and as individuals. The Officers, who declare that they place a premium on family life, are thankful too to their spouses and children who have supported them through thick and thin. They are

focused, they say, on moving forward!

Congratulations to the “Five” of Course 24!

Major Raul Jerrick (with guitar) leads

the children in singing some songs.

The “Five” from left, Maj Raul Jerrick, Maj Jermain Cort, Lt Col

Courtney Byrne, Lt Col Trevor Bowman and Maj Lloyd Souvenir.

Major Cort interacts with some of the youngsters.

Lt Col Byrne interacts with

some of the youngsters.

Results for the GDF

Light Welterweight Champion and Best Boxer –

Ordinary Rating, Colin Lewis

Light Flyweight Champion – Ordinary Rating, Michael Worrell

Flyweight Champion – Private, Aluko Venture

Lightweight Champion – Private Shaquille DeYoung

Middleweight Champion – Private Julius Hanover

Light Heavyweight Champion – Mickel Sancho

Heavyweight Champion – Private Shemar Eastman

Super Heavyweight Champion Private - Royden Joseph

Light Welterweight Runner-Up – Lance Corporal Milton Issaacs

Light Heavyweight Runner-Up – Private Kevin Defreitas, and,

Heavyweight Runner-Up – Private Leon Andrews

T he Guyana Defence Force Boxing

Gym reclaimed the title of Best

Boxing Gym, when the Nationals

2015 Novices Boxing Championship

concluded on August 9 at “California

Square” in East Ruimveldt. Coast Guard Ordinary

Rating (OR), Colin Lewis, was adjudged the

Championship’s Best Boxer. Lewis out-boxed Troy

Ridley of the Guyana Police Force, and his GDF

colleague, Morley Ross, on his way to victory.

From the preliminaries, through to the Finals, the GDF

gave a solid account of itself, delivering Champions in eight

weight divisions and gaining runner up status in three of

those divisions. Weighing-in on their first outing at the

National Novices stage, the GDF

Boxers said that they are proud

t o b r in g b a ck home the title

of Best Gym to the GDF.

“ T h i s i s w h e r e i t

belongs!” they beamed. As a

group the champions agreed that, the move from GDF

Novices to the National Novices was a big! “For one,” Mikel

Sancho noted, “the level of regulations is tighter and

broader. We had to keep that in focus at all times.”

Aluko Venture, pointed out that, an added aspect of pressure was having to display their skills in front of total strangers. “When fighting

in GDF Novices, we are generally among friends and family. But on the national stage, out in public, we had to deliver for many others who

we don’t know. As such, we have to be on top of our game. There were fans, professional boxers and others who know and understand the

sport much better than we think and we could not go out there and do anything we liked. We had to bring our “A” game.”

P A G E 1 0

“WE HAD TO BRING OUR “A” GAME!”

S O L D I E R

P A G E 1 1 V O L U M E 8 , I S S U E 1 4

THE VACUUM CLEANER SALESMAN

A little old lady in Kingston answered her doorbell,

only to be confronted by an eager young man

displaying a shiny new vacuum cleaner. "Good

morning lady' said the young man. “May I

demonstrate the greatest and latest vacuum cleaner

to come out of the United States. There’s nothing

like it.' The old lady replied, “Go away! I'm broke

and don’t have any money!'' Before she could close

the door, the young man wedged his foot in the

door and pushed it open. “Not so fast, lady. Give me

a chance to show you the demonstration.'' While

saying that, he emptied a bucket of horse manure

onto her carpet. ''Now, watch me remove every

trace of this manure from your carpet, lady. If this

vacuum cleaner does not do the job, I will eat up

what’s left myself.'' The old lady turned around and

went into the house, saying, “Then I’ll get a knife

and fork for you, because they disconnected my

electricity today."

“I wasn't born to follow and I'm not

sure if I was born to lead, but what I'm

certain is that I was born to fight my

way through life and win.” Unknown Author

Nine Dots are placed in three rows of three dots

each as shown below.

You must connect the Dots using ONLY FOUR

STRAIGHT LINES without lifting your pen or pencil.

Good luck!

Every day, Fred takes the train to travel from his work back to Alkmaar, his place of residence. Usually, he arrives at the station of Alkmaar at six o'clock, and exactly at that moment, his wife picks him up by car. Yesterday evening, Fred took an earlier train, without informing his wife, and therefore he already was at the station of Alkmaar at five o'clock. He decided to walk part of the way to meet his wife. When he met the car with his wife, he drove home with her. In this way, they were home ten minutes earlier than normal. ……... How long did Fred walk yesterday evening? NOTE: Fred's wife always drives the entire way between home and station at the same constant speed .….

ALWAYS & NEVER...

It's always 1 to 6,

it's always 15 to 20,

it's always 5,

but it's never 21,

unless it's flying.

What is this?

The answer is: a die (one of the dice).

An explanation:

"It's always 1 to 6": the numbers

on the faces of the die;

"it's always 15 to 20": the sum of

the exposed faces when the die

comes to rest after being thrown;

"it's always 5": the number of

exposed faces when the die is at

rest;

"but it's never 21": the sum of the

exposed faces is never 21 when

the die is at rest;

"unless it's flying": the sum of all ex-posed faces when the die is flying is 21 (1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6).

Answer is on Page 3.

S O L D I E R

SERVICE

Guyana Defence Force

This Newsletter was prepared by the G5 Branch of the Guyana Defence Force for distribution to Members of the Guyana Defence Force, the Veterans’ Legion, Government Ministries, Members of the Joint Services, and Libraries. It can also be accessed on the GDF’s Website at : http://

VOLUME 8 , ISSUE 14 August , 2015