Promoted to Rear Admiral – Gary Best departing a military that is set for transformation

Last Updated on Saturday, 26 December 2015, 21:01 by GxMedia

Elevated from Commodore to Rear Admiral, outgoing Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Chief- of-Staff, Gary Best is one month away from retiring from a force that he said is set for transformation and modernisation, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

Today, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces President Donald Ramotar and Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon who is also Secretary to the Defence Board invested the Chief- of -Staff with the insignia of the rank of Rear Admiral.

The confirmation of Rear Admiral, a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a Commodore, took place at the Office of the President in the presence of his spouse Delicia Best, other senior army officers and members of the Defence Board.

Colonel General Staff Bruce Lovell, Retired Director of Prisons Dale Erskine, world renowned bodybuilder and former army colleague Hugh Ross, and opposition Members of Parliament Joe Harmon and Winston Felix were also present.

In brief remarks President Ramotar extended the Guyana Government’s gratitude to Best for the years of service he has given to the force, and the country, towards the security of the sovereign nation.

Serving for six years as Chief-of-Staff, the Rear Admiral extended gratitude to the Government for entrusting him with confidence and to the cadre of officers including members of the Coast Guard, who he has been working with over that period.

“On behalf of the Officer Corps both regular and reserve and civilian employees at the Guyana Defence Force, I extend a heartfelt thanks to you Mr. President and the Government of Guyana for confirming me with this rank and as I proceed into retirement I shall wear it and represent it distinguishingly,” Rear Admiral Best said.

He is scheduled to begin retirement on September 17