Current entrants to the joint services are not as patriotic and disciplined as those prior to the 1980s and because of this, Major Leyland Saul of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) said, drills must be used to instil values.

According to a release from the army on Wednesday, the officer made the declaration during a display of silent drills performed by members of the Joint Services, as the penultimate Drill Course for 2003 concluded on the Camp Ayanganna Drill Square last Friday.

Saul was quoted as saying that a conscious effort must be made to raise the standard of drill within the services, since that was one way of promoting strict discipline.

“These qualities are of utmost importance since our public image is persistently rated...you must ensure that our ranks are smartly dressed, and at all times, collective and personal drills are of a high standard whether on or off the drill square,” the officer stated.

The drill course commenced on September 8 and was aimed at training the participants to demonstrate a high standard of personal drill, to develop their confidence to drill a squad using the correct words of command, and to prepare them for the Drill Instructors’ Course. Nineteen service persons graduated, with Sergeant Rawl Rodney of the Training Corps as Best Graduating Student.

According to the army’s release, another rank from the same unit, Sgt Kwasi Isaacs, was adjudged the Runner-up Student, while Sgt John Croker of Defence Headquarters was deemed the Most Improved Student.

In his address to the graduands, Maj. Saul said, “Unfortunately, current entrants to the Services are not patriotic and as disciplined as those prior to the 1980s, and as a consequence, I reiterate that we use the drill square effectively in order to instil our values,” Saul stated.

The course was conducted by the Drill Division of the Training Corps with Chief Instructor and Force Drill Sergeant, Warrant Officer Class Two Ron Marks, who was ably assisted by Staff Sergeants Shawn Croal and Clay Flatts, the release stated.