Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Gary Best was yesterday promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral, the Govern-ment Information Agency reported.
Best is one month away from retiring.
GINA said that Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces President Donald Ramotar and Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon who is also Secretary to the Defence Board decorated the Chief of Staff with the insignia of the rank of Rear Admiral.
The ceremony took place at the Office of the President in the presence of his spouse Delicia Best, other senior army officers and members of the Defence Board, GINA said.
Colonel General Staff Bruce Lovell, Retired Director of Prisons Dale Erskine and opposition Members of Parliament Joe Harmon and Winston Felix were also present.
GINA said that the Rear Admiral extended gratitude to the Government for exhibiting trust in him. He also lauded the officers including members of the Coast Guard who he has been working with.
“On behalf of the Officer Corps both regular and reserve and civilian employees at the Guyana Defence Force, I extend a heartfelt thanks to you Mr. President and the Government of Guyana for confirming me with this rank and as I proceed into retirement I shall wear it and represent it distinguishingly,” Rear Admiral Best said, according to GINA.
He is scheduled to begin retirement on September 17.
