The Guyana Defence Force in National Development

TOPIC THE GUYANA DEFENCE FORCE IN field DEVELOPMENT CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONS, SOME PERSPECTIVES. THESIS STATEMENT Positive elegant- legions dealingship is springy for the doment of the eccentric and responsibilities of the soldiery. INTRODUCTION No Organization has on the whole the capabilities, re reference points and expertise needed to deal with complex challenges in a comprehensive vogue in the twenty first century. These challenges be very much trans-border, e. g. isease, crime, financial and benignant-centred crises. They often require domestic and inter subject area cooperation and engagement of multiple administrations and international organizations to facilitate effective planning and trading operations in order to array the efforts of multiple civil, military and non- political agencies. The foremost tralatitious situation of the Guyana refutal persuasiveness (GDF) as enshrined in the Constitution has been to defend the territorial virtue of Guyana. Another grapheme of the Guyana defense posture is to assist the civil power in the caution of law and order. The final agency is to contribute to the economic phylogenesis of Guyana when required to do so. In this paper the researcher go away show ab let out perspectives of the GDFs civil-military dealings with government and non-government organizations by dint of several units. 1. It is the researcher designing to cover the follo fender areas a. Civil Defence both locally and in the Caribbean. b.Disaster relief and search and rescue operations through partnership with the civil Defence Commission and the GDF on land, sea and in air. c. addressing corps and its grapheme in national culture through state shenanigan partnership. d. Agriculture Corps role in agriculture reading and its partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture. e. Hearts and Minds operations in rural areas and schools by medical checkup Corps. f. billet Corps and its clog up in the area of tran sportation in the inner(a) location. g. G5 Branch youth unfoldment and precept.RESTRICTED Before one can adequately assess the topic and grant cogent arguments in back up of the thesis, it is grave that key words/phrases be satisfactorily delineate. Civil-military whitethorn be defined as the relationship between civil parliamentary procedure as a whole and the military organization established to defend it. Development may be defined as to lead long and healthy lives, to be knowledgeable, to have entryway to resources needed for a decent standard of live and to be able to participate in the life of the community.The role of the GDF in promoting national schooling refers to those efforts that the line can undertake to process communities increase not only the quantitative measures of development (earnings capacity) but to a fault the qualitative measures of development-greater life expectancy and reduced illiteracy. ENGINEERING- Guyanas Draft blink of an eye Development broadcast, 1972-1976 which assigned specific responsibilities, to the Engineer Corps, for the micturateion of back country coursestead and bridges, the upgrading of airstrips, housing projects for low income earners and projects such as the rehabilitation of the hydro-electric power post at Tumatumari.They were also deployed to assist in the construction of a road from Mahdia to Annai in the Hinterland. A Cooperative credit Union and a admit Cooperative Society were formed to give individual soldiers and officeholders the opportunity to construct their birth homes at state sponsored schemes at Melanie Damishana, Vryheids Lust and genus Grus villages, on an aided self-help basis. ( matter Defence, 74). RESTRICTED This was not lost to the bear on plaque and is exemplified in the superpowers most recent perpetration to plan projects as detailed in the Stabroek intelligence service. Five ranks of the Guyana Defence blackmail (GDF) received keys to new homes at Tuschen H ousing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo last hebdomad as part of a an ongoing partnership between home ground for Humanity Guyana the Ministry of Housing and the soldiery to assist ranks with affordable housing. Noteworthy is the perpetration of government or non-government organizations to have such partnerships with the Force in this sector, as detailed in he same article, Chairman of the Management come along at Habit for Humanity, Alex Graham remarked that the GDF has the capacity to play an integral role in diverse aspects of the housing response while pointing out that the army can also help in the building of homes for persons outside the GDF family. wellness SERVICES- Life expectancy includes access to affordable medical exam care and all factors that promote a healthy lifestyle. The Force has a rich memorial of providing medical service to rural and hinterland villages as part of its medical outreaches.The Force has been impressive in its support to national development in this sector by providing free medical and dental care to thousands of Guyanese. This is not surprising since common to most underdeveloped countries is the lose of capacity to provide bore medical services as you move away from the cities and master(prenominal) towns. This is the guinea pig in Guyana and its exasperated by our demographics, terrain in hinterland areas and the lack of adequate transportation facilities to hinterland and rural areas.The support by the Force in this sector has continued throughout its existence and runs source of kudos as highlighted in the following excerpt from Stabroek News. RESTRICTED cultivation to 200 Upper Berbice River residents benefited from dental and general medical care when a team from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Medical Corps hosted an outreach exercise there recently. According to the army, residents said they were grateful for the exercise and expressed the desire for a doctor to visit at least once per year. Stabroek New s Sunday, June 15, 2008.EDUCATION The put on of military personnel to augment the efforts of the Ministry of program line to provide education at any take and in any area of the field has not been a feature of the Force for any substantive period. so far this, one can argue that the efforts by the Force to educate its ranks promptly electric shocks on national development. Since when members of the Force return to civilian life their level of technical and vocational education lead have a need impact on how they are integrated to the countries labour force.Therefore the Force commitment to educating its ranks underscores its efforts to national development in this sector. However, the efforts of the Force to educate its ranks have had its own challenges. The main challenge was the ability of the Force to establish a system that linked educational development with the evolution of soldiers careers. As part of their promotion standards, soldiers are required to attain specif ied levels of pedantic education but these standards had to be waived since no formal means existed for upgrading soldiers education. The quality and level of success gained in this sector can be better with better civil- military relations with government and non-government organization. Similar sentiments in regards to the respect of these relations were expressed by the Chief of ply in his 2011 demand Directive. In 2011, I plan to establish statecraft partnerships with the Ministries of Education and Health. Education is inclusive of literacy-the ability to read and write, as well as primary winding school enrollment. Stabroek News Tuesday, August 17, 2010. Best G. A.R Chief of Staff take Directive 2011, pg 22. RESTRICTED ECONOMIC- The Agriculture Corps was tasked with the development of farms at Onverwagt in Berbice, plainlyenabu in Mahaicony, Vergenoegen in Essequibo, and at Garden of Eden in demerara saw the GDFs economic contribution. This was short lived due to contr action and restructuring of the Force in the late 80s. However, the structures (organization) still exist for its reimplementation. Coast safeguard through it protection of our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) leases for greater yields in sea foods for export.Also Air Corps providing qualified pilots to augment those in the PAOC when required. ADMINISTRATION- Officers are seconded to administrative positions in ministries and other government agencies and even the other services of the Joint Services. To date officers have served in various positions in the government Lt crack Fabian Liverpool served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of root Affairs, Lt crack Jawahar Persaud as Accountant General (ag) Ministry of Finance, Lt Col Brassington Reynolds as essay Ministry of Legal Affairs, Lt Col Malcom Mc Andrew as Deputy theatre director of Prisons, Col LindonRoss as Coordinator CARIFESTA 10 at Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Col Francis Abrsham as Deputy Director Gener al at Civil Defence Commission. Just to name a few (there are Majors Monroe and Craig at CDC, Major Baird at Ministry of Agriculture, and 5 other officers who were at Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the 90s. both Officers and other Ranks are expert to re enter society where they make the contribution to the country example Col Ulrice Pilgrim at BARAMA, Col Ross still at Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Major Generals Joseph Singh and Norman Mc Lean at GT&T and OMAI respectively.In this area it is clear state how the GDF contribute to the economic development of this country. AVIATION- Air Corps augment the Private Aircraft Owners Association and can do medical evacuations from Interior Locations, and facilitate the transportation of Good and People to and from intragroup locations. Air Corps provides local flights at a cheaper cost thereby making it affordable to small businessmen/businesswomen and low income earners to travel to and from the hinterland regions. RESTRICTED This unit makes it possible to access areas particularly where fixed wing aircraft cannot land.It provides positive civil-military relations by search and rescue operations through partnership with the civil Defence Commission and the GDF on land, sea and in air. The success of the Force enfolding in these ventures is commendable, however, the Force was unable to remain attached to such ventures as a bingle source way as time progress. This was due to lack of resources both human and in the first place material. Therefore, one can argue that a civil-military relation framework by way of partnership with a government or non-government would have deepen the Forces longevity in its commitment to such ventures.Granger D. A A Brief History of the Guyana Defence Force, 2005 pg75. This demonstrates that there is clear information by non-government agencies that good civil-military relations are beneficial to both parties. get along the Force volition not be required to singlehanded ly seek out and forge these partnership. Fostering this perception of the Force, there remain numerous areas in this sector where the Force, the private sector, and government and non-government organizations can benefit from good relations. No one entity can satisfy the commercialised, security and safety requirements for aviation support in Guyana.The wide expanse of hinterland settlements, the limited aircraft and technically trained personnel suggests that there is room for all stake holders to make a positive impact in this sector. The Guyana Defence Force recognizes and accepts it has a role to play in national Development. This is exemplified in the many initiatives and projects the Force has been problematical throughout its existence primarily in Engineering, Health Services, Education, Economic, Administrative and melodic phrase Sectors. The question of how the Force testament be most effective in repleteing its role of impart to National Development has been answer ed.RESTRICTED The Force must tit partnership with government and non-government agencies in those sectors where we are poised to make an impact on National Development. This pursuit and ultimate realization of good civil-military relations will enhance the Force capacity to contribute to national development activities. The Maritime Corps was equipped with trawlers and started fishing on a commercial scale. A good civil-military relationship is imperative if the Force is to attempt to fulfill the last of its tripartite role.This will see the involvement of community groups and the Force working in unison to achieve goals at the national level. Civil-military relations will also allow for the development of both individual and national capacities. Good civil-military relations between the GDF and the country at large will pave the way for both the organization and civil society to meditate from each other. Consequentially, the knowledge and on-site training of youths in technical a reas could be boosted from the Forces involvement in community developmental projects.Former electric chair Jagdeo in his organize at the Forces Re-engineering to Enhance National Defence and protective cover forum said The traditional focus of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) will have to be shifted to fix the better character of the countrys resources. (Stabroeknews, 11 February 2010). The then commander in headman correctly stated that traditionally the GDF has been structured to maintain peace at the borders and the territorial integrity of the country and noted the country does not holler going to contend with any of its neighbours and it has not been to fight for most of its history. But you have this commodious pool of talented people in the military and we cant have them wait on a war with our neighbours. (Stabroek News, 11 February 2010). While the case for the shifting of the Forces traditional focus is still creation make, and the GDF continues to look for mean s to show its relevancy in todays society, the GDF has the capacity to play a redoubtable role in various aspects of development in Guyana through fit partnership between governmental and nongovernmental agencies and the GDF. RESTRICTEDThe logistics and human resources needed for the full involvement in national development shortly does not exist and as such significantly adhesiveness any attempts by the Force to fulfill this mandate. While the Force does not currently play a constant of gravitation role in national development, such a role is not alien to the organization. With the right logistics and financial support the GDF can play a role in national development. Conversations with local citizenry and former GDF soldiers would call up vignettes of a GDF that was once fully involved in and committed to national development.Literature and newspapers archive validate these vignettes. This excerpt shows the extent of the Guyana Defence Force involvement in national development. Civil-military relations were the backbone of these developmental projects often a time GDF sought the assistance of villagers to provide adequate human resources needed for the successful completion of assigned projects. President Jagdeo in his address at the Forces Re-engineering to Enhance National Defence and Security forum said The traditional focus of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) will have to be shifted to ensure the better use of the countrys resources. (Stabroeknews, 11 February 2010). The then commander in chief correctly stated that traditionally the GDF has been structured to maintain peace at the borders and the territorial integrity of the country and noted the country does not anticipate going to war with any of its neighbours and it has not been to war for most of its history. But you have this huge pool of talented people in the military and we cant have them wait on a war with our neighbours. (Stabroek News, 11 February 2010). RESTRICTEDWhile the case for the s hifting of the Forces traditional focus is still being made, and the GDF continues to look for means to show its relevance in todays society, the GDF has the capacity to play a formidable role in various aspects of development in Guyana through proper partnership between governmental and nongovernmental agencies and the GDF. The logistics and human resources needed for the full involvement in national development currently does not exist and as such significantly hamper any attempts by the Force to fulfill this mandate.While the Force does not currently play a grand role in national development, such a role is not alien to the organization. With the right logistics and financial support the GDF can play a role in national development. Medical Corps can conduct medial outreach to hinterland and hard to access areas of Guyana. This unit can carry its sensitization and education programmes to the schools, NGOs and vulnerable groups and communities. Engineer Corps can construct roads, b uildings and bridges.Finally, Agriculture Corps can develop commercial farms in all counties of Guyana. In concluding, Positive civil-military relations is snappy for the fulfillment of the role and responsibilities of the military. The researcher proposes the formulation of a GDF civil-military policy. Also the innovation of a GDF Civil- forces Protocol currently, there remains no policy or protocol that speaks to civil-military relations for national development.A civil military policy will comprehensively explain what the GDF intends to achieve through civil- military relations and to a greater extent importantly, how it intends to achieve its national developmental goals. Creation of a GDF Civil-Military Office is necessary. Having the Forces civil- military affairs guided under a single office allows for greater management and direction of civil-military affairs. A Force civil-military officer should be identified to lead a civil-military office.Amongst his/her duties should be the preparation of the civil-military portions of operations and administrative plans and orders, advising the G3 on the Forces requirement for Civil Military cooperation, dealing with liability claims from civilians, providing advice and assistance to other staff branches in the use of civil labour and local medical facilities and provide assistance as applicable with population movement control , civil Engineer assistance, procurance of material from local sources and civil logistic assistance, cooperation with local and national governing on matters relating to civil defence.It will be critical that the national development agenda be in sync with that of the GDF in order to allow for easier access to funding and resource allocations for national development projects. A clearly defined support structure is necessary in order to ensure the longevity of GDFs full participation in national development. Guyana Defence Force is an organization which once played a critical role in the national development of Guyana, and in doing so, met and executed its mandate of contributing to the economic development of Guyana. Today, the same cannot be said of the Force.However, should attempts be made to refocus the Forces time and resources towards national evelopment, civil-military relations will definitely be an area in need of grave attention. The mental home of a civil-military policy should be the first thing that must be put in place. Formulating a civil-military policy will be necessary to define the scope and modus operandi of the Force. RESTRICTED REFERENCES Best G. A. R. (2010) Career Development Plan Guyana Defence Force. Guyana Defence Force Best G. A. R (2011) Chief of Staff Command Directive.Guyana Defence Force Granger D. A. (1975) The new road. Guyana Defence Force. (Pg 75) David Granger. National Defence. A brief history of the Guyana Defence Force, 1965-2005. shrive Press Georgetown 2005. Free Press. Huntington, S. (1957). The soldier and the state theory and practice of civil-military relations. Cambridge, Belknap Press of Harvard University Press. Johnson, J. (1981). The role of the military in underdeveloped countries. Top of Form Naison Ngoma, Civil-Military Relations searching for abstract framework with an African Bias. Available at http//www. ssafrica. org/pubs/Books/civmilzambiaaug04/Ngoma. pdf. Accessed Oct. 25 2012. RESTRICTED Stabroeknews. WPA concerned over move to set up intelligence agency. Available at http//www. stabroeknews. com/2010/archives/02/11/wpa-concerned-over-move-to-set-up-intelligence-agency/. Accessed Oct. 30 2012. United Nations Development Programme. What We Do. Availabel at http//www. undp. org/ depicted object/undp/en/home/ourwork/overview. html. Accessed Nov. 25 2012. Stabroek News Sunday, June 15, 2008. Stabroek News Tuesday, August 17, 2010. 2 p. Chief of Staff of the RE RES