Even as the Commander of the United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) praised Guyana for the strides it is making to increase the number of women recruited, the army has embarked on a programme that will qualify reservists to be permanent staff and further up the 9.4 per cent of total women it has on roll.
“This year, all the females that are currently serving as reservists will be added to total strength following completion of training… They were presented with the opportunity to undergo training on the Basic Recruit course,” the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) said in response to questions from this newspaper.
During an exclusive interview with the Stabroek News while here for the Tradewinds 2023 programme, last month, SOUTHCOM Commander General Laura Richardson had praised the efforts in the region to increase the numbers, and singled out Guyana for strides made over the past year.
“I think the hemisphere, and specifically the Guyana Defence Force, has made great strides. I think it is important that it’s all about recruiting, training, advancement and [providing] the opportunities for women,” she said.
“They have to be given the opportunities, because if you are never given the opportunity, you don’t ever have a chance to compete.”
Richardson had addressed the importance of integrating more women in the military during her visit her last year. Speaking at the first Caribbean Women, Peace and Security conference, she has underscored the need for more women in the army.
The conference was part of the US’ Women, Peace and Security (WPS) programme, an effort to promote the meaningful contributions of women in the defence and security sectors around the world.
“There are many things women can do in Guyana in the Defence Force. I think it is a matter of highlighting that; just all the opportunities that are available, ” she had said.
She had also noted that seeing other women in leadership and non-traditional roles plays an important part. “I would like to say that you can’t be what you can’t see… I think it is important to see women in non-traditional roles… and I think it is important what opportunities [are there],” she had stated.
Richardson also pointed out that it has been shown that women excel in non-traditional roles when given the opportunity, but that the norm should not be waiting for those sparse opportunities.
“Open up the other fifty per cent of the talent pool out there and give women the opportunity. You have to start now or how else would you create another General Richardson? How else do you create another Antonette Wemyss-Gorman?” she queried.
She noted that many of her accomplishments were afforded because she was in the military. “Sometimes I can’t believe I’m here doing this. I have been able to work at different places; work at our Capitol, work at our White House. I’ve been deployed in combat… I have been able to do many things. I would have never been able to do this, had I not been in the military,” she said.
She believes that women can help to make the security forces stronger and bring a different perspective to problem solving. “I think that women in our security forces make our forces stronger, makes them better, it gives a different perspective on how to tackle the really hard, complex threats that are out there,” she added.
Asked if she felt that Guyana and the rest of the region were making progress, she offered a resounding affirmative.
“I do…. I think as we see women leaders around the western hemisphere… [the numbers will increase].” she said while pointing to military notables in the region such as the Jamaican Chief of Staff Rear Admiral Antonette Wemyss-Gorman, and Colombian Command Sergeant Major Consuela Díaz Álvarez, among others
Rear Admiral Wemyss-Gorman is described as a pioneer servicewoman in the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF). She was the first woman officer to attain a flag rank. She joined the JDF in August 1992 and completed her professional development training overseas at the Britannia Royal Naval College, HMS Dryad UK and at the US Naval War College, the JDF said on its website.
“During her 15 years on-board various classes of ships in the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard (JDF CG), she has sailed the Caribbean, deploying to Haiti in support of JDF troops serving with the CARICOM Contingent in Operation ‘UPHOLD DEMOCRACY’, to the Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Cayman Islands, Curacao, and other islands on multiple military and diplomatic missions. Her last sea command was as Commanding Officer of HMJS SURREY, a 42-metre Offshore Patrol Vessel which she sailed on its maiden voyage from Gorinchem, Holland, to Jamaica in October 2007. She holds a master’s degree with distinction in National Security and Strategic Studies from the University of the West Indies,” the website states.
Wemyss-Gorman was appointed Commanding Officer of the JDF CG, and attained the rank of Commander in 2014, making her the first woman to attain that rank and unit command in the JDF. Her last line command was Brigade Commander of the Maritime Air and Cyber Command, a unique structure which she stood up as part of the transformation of the JDF into a division-sized force.
Meanwhile, GDF personnel explained that when the army does basic reserve training, reservists are given the opportunity to be permanent because they are already in the system. However, some of them might have missed being on roll because they missed the age cutoff dates by a couple of months. To fill that gap, the army runs a special course for those reservists, given that most of them may have already done some military courses.
