GDF graduates 12 new Sergeants from Sergeant Academy

[www.inewsguyana.com] – Best Graduating Student, Sergeant (SGT) Andrew Bright, was awarded the Chief of Staff’s Leadership Star when the Guyana Defence Force graduated 12 new Sergeants from its Sergeant Academy yesterday. The Sergeants are the second cohort to graduate from the Academy which was established in 2012.

Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Mark Phillips charged the graduates to set the example and be positive role models.

“As leaders, you will have followers who will look up to you! Set the example!” he said. Congratulating the Sergeants, the COS also encouraged them to create and sustain a disciplined environment in which their soldiers could grow and develop.

He re-emphasized that, as Sergeants they were now Senior Non- Commissioned Officers, with the responsibility of training and enforcing discipline amongst their juniors.

In comments on his sterling performance, SGT Bright said that his goal was always to excel.

“I started the Leader Sergeant Course with the desire to be the best. It was always my aim and so, I worked hard, sacrificed sleep, studying until the wee hours many mornings,” he said.

He explained that, the most difficult aspect of the course was executing Exercise Chameleon.

“On Exercise Chameleon, we had to demonstrate that we had indeed learned what was taught to us. We had to pull on all our strengths and apply ourselves in order to be successful. I am happy to have graduated at the top of my class, but I could not have done it without the support of my colleagues,’ said SGT Bright.

Prior to pursuing the LSC, the Sergeant was a Lance Corporal in the 21 Artillery Company.

Also gaining awards were SGT Tyshon Bentick (Runner-Up Best Graduating Student), SGT Keioma Livan (Best Military Knowledge and Fittest Student), SGT Cornelius Messiah (Best Shot), and, SGT Chris Corbin (Best Drill). SGT Clavern Baptiste was the lone graduate selected from the pool of civilian applicants to complete the programme.

The nine-month programme is open to eligible members of the Force as well as civilians who meet the admission criteria. Its curriculum emphasises leadership, critical thinking and decision-making training.

The series of activities for the graduation of the Sergeants commenced with a church service at the Auditorium at Base Camp Ayanganna, at which their new badges of rank were blessed. They will be hosted at a dinner in their honour this evening.