The First Infantry Battalion was on Tuesday adjudged this year’s Drill Champions when the curtains came down on the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) annual drill competition. The event was held at the Drill Square, Base Camp Ayanganna, Georgetown. The Band Corps came in second while the 3 Infantry Battalion placed third.
The highly contested competition saw participation from nine composite platoons which consisted of ranks from various units. Eleven teams were slated to participate but two were disqualified for failure to meet minimal competition requirements.
This resulted in one female team making it to the finals and being judged according to the fulfillment of requirements which included turn out and bearing, rifle drills, quick marching, and saluting.
The competition was judged by Retired Warrant Officers, Adrian George, Rudolph Lewis, Clay Flatts, Allistain Quang, and Gerald Gilbert. Guyana Police Force Sergeants Jermain Semple and Andy Gillis were also part of the judging panel.
Force Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Class One Raul Rodney in a brief address, noted that the competition tested the standard of drills across the GDF. He observed that there is room for improvement and every effort will be made to ensure this is done.
The FSM is entrusted with the overall responsibility to ensure that drills are of a high standard throughout the Defence Force.
Base Commander of Base Camp Stephenson, Lieutenant Colonel Lloyd Souvenir in closing remarks noted that the competition has provided a platform to identify shortcomings that will be addressed at unit lines. To this end, he encouraged unit Sergeant Majors to work with their soldiers so that the standard of drills is improved.
