Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col)Terry Benn, formally handed command of Base Camp Stephenson to Lt Col Ramkarran Doodnauth, on August 28, a release from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) said on Saturday.
The formalisation of the new command occurred at Base Camp Stephenson.
The release said that Benn’s military experiences began with his enlistment in the National Cadet Corps of the Guyana National Service (GNS) where he rose to become a Cadet Leader.
He served under all eight Executive Presidents and Commanders in Chief, and under the command of six Chiefs of Staff.
“During the 36 years of my service, I have served under some very good leaders and I have had many good soldiers under my command. It was an honour to have served with and alongside such men and women who made the necessary sacrifices and placed the good of the nation and organisation above the needs of their relatives, friends and families. I am proud to have served this organisation and my country!” he said.
Speaking of his imminent retirement from the Force, Lt Col Benn said that this is the time for the youth to step up.
The release quoted him as saying “To the leaders I leave behind, remember that the GDF is a family and your soldiers are members of that family. Teach them the family traditions: who we are, what we have done, where we have been, and what makes us different from ordinary. Communicate. Make sure they understand the message. Be open to their ideas. Treat them with respect and help them to grow into respectable citizens of this great nation!”
The outgoing Base Commander urged his successor to embrace the adventure ahead of him. “It will be a nerve-racking experience. All of your training and experience will be brought to bear. Your success will be determined by your ability to mould your staff into cohesive well-oiled machinery, capable of delivering timely and quality service to all the Units housed on the Base.”
