BDF urged to stay sharp and alert for any eventuality

The Barbados Defence Force (BDF) must continue training its personnel in modern tactics and processes to ensure the safety of the island if it is called upon.

This was the message delivered by Military Advisor to the Chief of Staff, Lt Colonel Carlos Lovell as he addressed graduates of the BDF’s Training and Development Institute at St Ann’s Fort on Friday.

He said the BDF must constantly remain in top form.

“The leadership of the Barbados Defence Force must seek and spare no effort to ensure that our personnel are trained and prepared to face the many challenges present in this volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous operating environment,” Lt Col Lovell said.

“To quote our Chief Of Staff in a recent interview, he said when there is crisis in Barbados, the Government always turns to the Barbados Defence Force to protect our people, our island, and our national interests. Therefore, when called upon, we cannot afford to fail, because if we fail, lives are at stake.”

The military advisor added that high-ranking officers within the BDF fully understood the gravity of their responsibility.

He said constant improvement of skills will always be a priority.

“The BDF staged these courses to empower you graduates with the tools, the skills, and the knowledge, to drastically improve the operational effectiveness of various departments across the Force, because we understand the importance of the individual to the collective,” he said.

“History has taught us that in order for any military to be effective, its personnel must be well trained, trained hard, and trained frequently. That is the only way to keep the proverbial sword sharp.”

The graduates of the BDF’s Training and Development Institute, who include members of the island’s Defence Force and Coast Guard as well as regional security forces, received training in several areas.

The sessions included Regular and Reserve Force Junior Command courses, Media Operations Training, Office Administration and Management, and Assistant Drill Instructor courses.

Lt Col Lovell thanked the graduating contingent for their dedication to their individual training sessions over the past several weeks. (SB)