If there is one thing the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) is not synonymous with it is pageants. But that’s just what will be happening in the army come next month. Fifteen members of the GDF will be facing off in probably one of the strangest battles, a pageant.
But unsurprisingly, this pageant, unlike any other, will see the delegates hoisting weapons to their shoulders and firing them in a three-mile combat exercise and lobbing grenades.
Head of co-ordinating team for the pageant, Captain Loraine Garraway told The Scene that the pageant is definitely not a beauty pageant. To confirm this 70% of the points will be garnered from the physical aspect of the pageant, as the delegates showcase aspects of being a soldier.
And Garraway said that contrary to what people think pageantry is not new to the GDF as in the 70s there were some pageants. This pageant is being held to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the Women’s Army Corps, which will be celebrated on February 6. The pageant is one of the many activities planned for the anniversary.
Delegates will be asked to demonstrate the physical fitness, marksmanship, poise, talent and elegance of the military woman. The talent category of the pageant is set for February 1 and on February 2 the delegates will compete in the physical fitness segment which includes a three-mile combat run, navigating an obstacle course and a grenade throwing exercise. These two categories will be held at Camp Stephenson, Timehri. The grand finale is set for February 9 at the Camp Ayanganna ball field. All three aspects of the competition are opened to the public but they would have to pay $300 for the final night to see the delegates in their swim wear, evening wear and question and answer segments. Tickets can be had from any of the delegates, the army bases, Wireless Connections and Cultronics on South Road.
The queen will win for herself a motor scooter, computer educational package, cash and jewellery among other prizes. The first and second runners-up will also receive cash prizes.
As to the criteria for the delegates’ selection, the captain said the 16 units in the army were each asked to select a woman to represent them. However, one of the unit’s delegates is no longer part of the pageant.
Today The Scene gives readers an opportunity to meet eight of the delegates up close and personal. All of the delegates are Lance Corporals.
Twenty-three-year-old Monica Welcome who will be representing the Fourth Engineer Battalion described herself as, among other things, “
