BDF Recruits to Provide Support for Global Events and Regional Stability, says Acting Chief of Staff

Twenty-five new recruits of the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) will jump straight into action when the island hosts upcoming global events and, if needed, provide military support to stabilise peace in the region and wider world as conflicts in the hemisphere and beyond rise.

Acting Chief of Staff Lieutenant Colonel Carlos Lovell made this disclosure on Saturday during a pass out parade held at St Ann’s Fort.

During his address he told the recruits they joined the military in a precarious time when there were several ongoing disputes.

“As fate would have it, you recruits have joined the ranks of the BDF at a pivotal moment in our Force’s history. In their wisdom, in 1979, the architects of the establishment of the Barbados Defence Force, may have envisaged that in our 45th year of existence, the geopolitical and global security landscape would have been as tumultuous, complex, volatile and ambiguous as it is today,” he said.

“One need only to observe the conflict in Europe, the Middle East and the myriad international border disputes to understand the gravity of contemporary global geopolitical tensions and conflict. In what we still refer to as a virtual zone of peace in the Caribbean, that peace is now under threat from escalating violence in an unstable and volatile Haiti, the impasse between Guyana and Venezuela and the ever present preponderance of violent crime, which is a derivative of regional transnational organised crime.”

As it relates to the upcoming international events being hosted in Barbados soon, Lovell told the recruits they would also have to play their part to ensure civilians were safe.

“No better example of the importance of the BDF, to Barbados, can be found than to highlight our ongoing preparations for operations during the International Cricket Council T20 International World Cup which is scheduled to be held in the Caribbean and the United States in June.

Preceding that major international tournament will be Exercise TRADEWINDS, which will be held in Barbados from the 4th to the 17th of May… Of course the recruits of intake 1/23 will certainly be incorporated in our operations to ensure that, when called upon to conduct military operations, they are ready, willing and capable to do so.”

The acting Chief of Staff also told the inductees that it was a special privilege to join the ranks of the force and they must always act in a professional manner as they are now being held to high standards.

“You are no longer civilians. Therefore, you will be held to a higher standard by your peers, your superiors, your family and by your community because we expect only the very best from you. Throughout your careers, there will be many sacrifices that you are expected to make for that is a central tenet of military service — to place country above self. The very nature of the military requires the BDF to maintain exceptionally high standards, in every regard, particularly professionalism and discipline.”

During the parade, the new recruits got the opportunity to show off drills they learnt and were applauded and cheered on by members of the audience.

Among the several recruits who received special prizes, three were even more exceptional. Atori Holder was awarded the Best Recruit. Runner up went to Aniela Oneil, who also received a prize for the best at academics. Best at drills went to Anthonio Howell, who was also awarded as best among his peers. (SZB)