September 19-2011.
Serving In The Military And Upward Mobility!
It Is All About What Level You Occupy!
In the military, your future could be great or terrible, because of the level that you occupy at any given time in the ranking system.
When I was a teenager, I loved watching ceremonial parades on Armistice Day, or the parades that the Guyana Volunteer Force had on the Queen's Birthday. And often wished to be part of that institution some day. I got my chance for the first time in the Guyana National Service in the 1970's as a Serviceman. The lowest rank in the staff member's category. This organization was par-military, formed specifically to co-op youths ages 16 and older to be pioneers.
The mission was formulated by the political party in government at that time (the P.N.C), which felt that the development of our hinterlands for population re-settlements, agricultural development, exploration, and even defense, was of paramount importance in the national agenda. This institution operated similarly to any military institution, except that the highest ranking officers were the Director General, Deputy Director General, and Asst. Director General. These positions could be equated to:
* Director General = A Brigadier
* Dep. Dir. General = Dep. Brigadier/Director General:
* Asst. Director General = Asst to the Brigadier/Director General.
We also had Camp Commanders in the ranks of Majors and Captains.
These positions depended upon the volume of personnel, and the importance in the strategic and operational value that was placed on them.
Operations/Divisions:
* Training Camps/Induction Training:
* Cotton Production Camps/fields:
* Cash Crops, Animal Husbandry;
* Special wrecking crews or defense units:
* Supply Stores/Warehousing:
Educational Preferences:
Most positions in the staff corps required some past experience/s and related qualifications. And there was also some transfers from The Guyana Defense Force personnel, to operate in specific areas of expertise, in the management of this new institution. And the internal military hierarchy and seniority procedures were expected to be followed and respected.
I recall working under the command of several individuals who may not have completed their secondary education. They often gave ridiculous instructions, shirked their responsibilities, and ignored procedures, because they felt they were entitled to certain privileges, or was superior to my rank in the system.
The political influence of the Ruling Party in government also played a major role, in appointing officers to the higher ranks too. And those who were affiliated with the party's membership was seen as special, and in most cases given preference in promotions, over other enlistment personnel or transferees.
The Pioneer Corps:
The pioneer corps was the backbone and work horse of the institution. These individuals were settled in the hinterlands, housed in billets/barrack like housing units. Males and Females were separately housed and supervised. Spent several months in those camps, worked long hours, did the prescribed military drilled according to military expectations. The planted and reaped cotton, legumes, and other cash crops, which was transported to the city for export or sale by the governmental agencies and outlets at the time.
This was very hard and sometimes back breaking toil. But they were expected to perform well under these circumstances. With supplementary sessions of political philosophy/socialism being taught to them as an impetus in keeping with the National Political Agenda. Most of these pioneers were in their teens or adolescents. And I wondered just how many fully understood the ramifications of those exercises, and responsibility.
Some died from accidents while using firearms during training. But mostly out of in-experience and some lack self-discipline too. These pioneers were expected to serve three to five years, and when released on graduation, would have acquired some basic skills that would enable most to find entry level work in the public or commercial sectors, if they chose that path. Some also chose to pursue higher education via The University Of Guyana, The Critchlow Labour College, and The Georgetown Technical Institute, upon graduation from the GNS.
Conclusion:
What I have found from my experience was that the military requires a certain kind of mentality in individuals, if you intend to make a career of it. And for those who expect to gain some skill or skills, to use after they leave that institution, may find it very difficult to do, because one is almost never in total control of his/her choices or desires.
Circumstances, needs, and institutional priorities determine who will rise to the top, who will get specific posts or positions, and who will get promoted upward.
The internal politics of the military or para-military institutions differ slightly from any civilian or governmental bureaucracy!
Derryck Griffith.
