95 GDF officers promoted

Georgetown: President Donald Ramotar has approved the promotions of 95 officers, in accordance with the Defence Act Chapter.

Guyana Defence Force Chief-of-Staff Gary Best made the announcement Thursday. The newly-promoted Senior Officers received their new Badges of Rank at a simple yet significant Badging Ceremony, at the Officers Club at Base Camp Ayanganna.

Acting Colonels, Enoch Gaskin and Frances Abraham, who were elevated to that rank on January 1, 2012, have been confirmed in the rank.

Additionally, Acting Lieutenant Colonels, Ramkarran Doodnauth, Gary Baird, Julius Skeete and Omar Khan have been confirmed in their rank.

Acting Majors, Sean Harmon, Mohinder Ramjag, Jermain Cort, Dale Ann David, Anson Weekes, Andy Pompey, Charles Wickham, Dale de Mendonca, Kester Craig, Shen Fung, Sheldon Howell, Courtney Mendonca and Ron Caulder have all been confirmed in their rank and are now Substantive Majors. Also joining them in that rank are, Substantive Captain Selwyn Austin and Substantive Lieutenant Miguel Benjamin, who were elevated in rank to Substantive Major.

Meanwhile, six Substantive Captains have been elevated in rank to Acting Major and seven Acting Captains have been confirmed in their rank.

Local Captain Kevin Moore, along with 11 Substantive Lieutenants, have been elevated in rank to Acting Captains, while 10 Acting Lieutenants have been confirmed in their rank. Of the latter, Acting Lieutenant Llewlyn Eastman has been confirmed in rank with effect from July 1, 2012.

Eleven Second Lieutenants have been elevated in rank to Acting Lieutenant. Of this group, Second Lieutenant Yuvindra Rampersaud has been elevated in rank with effect from July 1, 2012.

In the Coast Guard, Acting Lieutenant Commander (CG), Vernon Burnette has been confirmed in his rank while Substantive Lieutenant (CG) Roger Nurse has been elevated in rank to Acting Lieutenant Commander (CG).

Acting Lieutenants (CG) Rowel Rampersaud and Adrian Mclean have been confirmed in their rank while Substantive Sub Lieutenant Wayne Richmond has been elevated in rank to Acting Lieutenant (CG).

Meanwhile, three Acting Sub Lieutenants have been confirmed in their rank, and seven Midshipmen have been elevated in rank to Acting Sub Lieutenant.

In the GDF Reserve, Acting Lieutenant Colonel Clifton Innis was confirmed in his rank and Acting Captain Sean Welcome was also confirmed in his rank. Substantive Lieutenant Deon Heyligar was elevated in rank to Acting Captain while 10 Second Lieutenants were elevated in rank to Acting Lieutenant.