Curtland Melville

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By Kiana WilburgAfter successfully surviving a nine month-transformation course, 15 cadet officers (12 Guyanese and 3 Belizean) were duly rewarded with  badges of promotion in rank yesterday at the Drill Square, Base Camp Stephenson, Timehri.Their promotion came upon their completion of the Standard Officers’ Course #46.The course initially started with 24 officers, but 9 of the candidates either withdrew for varying reasons.The Guyanese officer cadets promoted to ensigns were; Obitre Hymiah, Alvin Holladar, Malivai Forde, Dishon Harris, Steffhon Branche, Curtland Melville, Carlos Moore, Shaeed Zaiboon, Neil Asregadoo, Simon Gordon, Lawrence King and Kevin Salaru. The three Belizeans are Noel Lanza, Marion Hernandez and Austin Flores.‘Best graduating officer’ Ensign Simon Gordon (centre) flanked by relatives and Chief of Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips (right).The best graduating officer of the course was Simon Gordon whilst the runner-up was Marion Hernandez.The Cadet course, according to some of the senior officials, is not one for the faint-hearted.“This course is mentally and physically demanding. It turns the boy into a man and prepares him to deal with a crisis with limited resources. Only the fittest survive and it takes more than a brave soul to endure the rigours of this course,” one official explained.The course is made up of three parts, but of the three, Hernandez and Gordon agree that the most grueling part of the programme was the Jungle training exercise.During this part of the course, the cadets are required to remain wet at all times and are only allowed a “lighter” and a cutlass in order to survive in the jungle for several days.In most cases, they were also required to do most of their work with just one hour’s rest or sometimes none at all.And even the diet is different. It is unimaginable to think that during this part they would have to consume worms, beetles and even drink animal blood.In the end, Gordon said that the course is something that he is extremely proud to have surpassed.“While I am really happy to have passed this course successfully and emerging as the best graduate, it goes without much saying that the journey was no easy one.”The 19-year-old expressed that the thought of being a step closer to his ultimate dream of one day becoming a Commander gave him enough fuel to withstand the trials of the course.While Officer Cadet Hernandez did not have his family by his side yesterday, he knew within his heart that his relatives are extremely happy and proud of him.The 21-year-old Belizean also expressed that it was very hard to adapt to the Guyanese diet. He said, “Unlike my culture, Guyanese consume a lot of rice. But I got accustomed to it after awhile.”As it relates to the training, “It was more like they train you to be a Spartan. No amount of pep-talk by your colleagues could even begin to prepare your mind for this gruesome exercise. But mentally I tried my best to be ready. I attended University and got my associate degree in Biology and Marine Science and since then I just wanted to become an Officer of the Army. Unfortunately, our country does not have a cadet school and so I applied, and when the time came I got through and they sent me to Guyana.”Whilst the two outstanding performers of the course deemed the jungle training as the most testing, Major Eon Murray disclosed that the hardest part would definitely be initial regimental stage.“The course is a developmental programme and there is the initial regimental stage which progresses into other stages, where they are trained as platoon commanders. But I would say that the regimental stage is the hardest because it is the stage where you have to convert the civilian into a military person. That stripping process is the most difficult, because not everyone can truly embrace the reality when they have to leave the ‘civilian pleasures’ behind.”“The second stage will now see the officers going through some administrative work and in two months time they will become second lieutenants.”Moreover, a topic of discussion during the reception was the inspiring address given by the Chief of Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips. While the Brigadier in his presentation congratulated the graduating officers, he stressed upon them the importance of discipline, character, intelligence and leadership. These qualities he explained must form the pillars of any officer’s career. He also charged them to always respect the law as well as the people of the country.With this in mind, the 15 graduating officers made a vow yesterday to honour and live by the values that have been instilled in them.