58 GAF Personnel Complete Drill and Duties Course

By Kebba Jeffang Fifty-eight members of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) graduated on Tuesday, 24th March, 2015 after three weeks intensive course on drill and general duties that aims at increasing efficiency in their professionalism at a ceremony held at the Armed Forces Training School in Fajara organised by the Royal Gibraltar Regiment (RGR).Speaking at the ceremony, Col. Kawsu Sanyang, the Commanding Officer of the Guard Battalion, noted that the training is important for the fact that it is the first of its kind in the home soil for GAF members. He said the armed forces have fewer drill experts due to lack of such courses in the country. He urged the graduates to make best use of the knowledge by creating impact for quality delivery. He thanked the instructors from the Royal Gibraltar Regiment for sharing valuable knowledge with the armed forces personnel. WO2 Alvarez Kenny, the British Army instructor expressed delight for spending 3 weeks with the young Gambian soldiers. He described the training as exceptional while assuring that RGR will continue to endeavour to make sure Gambia Armed Forces continue to receive quality trainings. Mr. Kenny disclosed that plans are under way to facilitate the trainers’ training for the GAF personnel so that they can be responsible for training themselves without their intervention. “I can inform that all the graduates have passed the course while most of them higher grades,” said WO2 Kenny. Lt. Col. Samba, the training commander also speaking at the ceremony said the course is in line with the training directives of 2014/15 of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). He said the training is two folds, drill and duties courses respectively. Lt. Sanyang indicated “the primary importantance of drill is to prepare people for battle and maximum fire power and therefore cannot be over emphasized. The knowledge is useful to both GAF and their respective units since they will share it with their colleagues,” said Sanyang. For his part, Mr Colin Crorkin, the British Ambassador to Banjul said the relationship between the two countries is cordial. He pointed out that within three months in his tenure as UK Ambassador; the graduation is the second ceremony he witnessed as the first one was training for the GAMCOY 18 which was preparing for departure to Darfur. He assured that they can still be looked up to for better capability. He concluded by noting that his 11 month stay has witnessed good relation between the Gambia and the United Kingdom. Representing the CDS, CDRE Sillah Kujabi said the 58 personnel have successfully completed the drill and duties course. He said the course is the first time in the Gambia conducted by the Royal Gibraltar Regiment and that it is consistent with CDS Training Directive 2015. He said the aim is intended to broaden the drill skills and knowledge of the participants. In congratulating the participants, he said “your determination enables you all to surpass the intensity, challenging and physically demanding of the course. I urged all of you to share what you have gathered with other colleagues. This can further boost the drill performances of your respective units during ceremonial functions such as honorary guards, guards of honour, independence and 22nd July parades and as well as inter unit and inter service drill competitions respectively.” He finally thanked the personnel of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment for their patience and commitment during the training while thanking the UK through itsAmbassador. Best recruit (male) receiving award from CDRE Sillah Kujabi Best recruit (female) receiving award from British ambassador]]>