The Guyana Defence Force (GDF), in collaboration with the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC) and the Regional Security System (RSS), recently concluded the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Course (NCOPD) with a graduation ceremony at Base Camp Ayanganna. The programme underscores the continued commitment of regional partners to strengthening professional military education and leadership development across Caribbean security forces.
The ceremony was held in the presence of Colonel General Staff, Colonel Kenlloyd Roberts, MSM, who represented the Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, MSS.
Conducted over six weeks, the course brought together twenty-eight participants from regional security organisations, including the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Police Force, and RSS partner nations—Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Grenada. The programme forms part of a broader regional initiative aimed at enhancing the leadership capacity and operational effectiveness of Non-Commissioned Officers.
Instruction was delivered by facilitators from WHINSEC and the RSS Training Institute, with the GDF serving as host. The training combined classroom-based professional military education with practical exercises and collaborative learning. Core focus areas included leadership development, communication, decision-making, ethics, human rights, and the rule of law, critical competencies for modern military and security environments.
Addressing the graduates, Command Sergeant Major Douglas Jones of the United States Army Security Assistance Training Management Organisation emphasised that effective leadership is defined by trust, accountability, and example rather than rank alone. He underscored the importance of mentorship, sound decision-making under pressure, and adherence to professional standards in shaping capable leaders within the Non-Commissioned Officer corps.
The importance of multinational training was also highlighted, with emphasis on its role in strengthening interoperability, fostering professional relationships, and reinforcing a shared commitment to regional security and stability.
Remarks delivered on behalf of the RSS by Deputy Chief of Staff of the Barbados Defence Force , Captain (Navy) Mark Peterson, , further underscored the central role of Non-Commissioned Officers in translating strategic intent into operational outcomes. He noted that in an evolving regional security environment, characterised by transnational crime, illegal trafficking, maritime threats, and disaster response demands, modern NCOs must demonstrate both technical competence and strong leadership.
GDF Force Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Class One Christopher Harmon, encouraged graduates to uphold the standards and principles reinforced during the course, stressing that leadership must be consistently demonstrated through discipline, professionalism, and example.
The successful completion of the NCOPD course marks another step in advancing professional military education within the region and strengthening collaboration among Caribbean security forces. By hosting the programme, the Guyana Defence Force reaffirmed its commitment to developing capable leaders and enhancing regional security partnerships.
