BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – FOURTEEN young and able-bodied men and women took their first march as official members of the St. Kitts Nevis Defence Force late last week.
Their march and presentation to the public took the form of an official Passing Out Ceremony held on Thursday (Dec. 3) at Camp Springfield under the distinguished patronage of His Excellency Sir Cuthbert M. Sebastian. Prime Minister of the Federation and Minister of National Security Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas delivered the feature address.
The platoon – comprised of 12 men and two women - displayed the skills honed during the 14-week period of intense training. Among the skills displayed before a very appreciable audience were precision drills done without words of command, and the blindfolded stripping and assembling of a rifle by a female and a male.
According to Major Leroy ‘Fishy’ Percival, 18 recruits began the journey on August 17, 2009; however “four lost their way to the promise land”. He explained that two ended their journey prematurely, owing to medical reasons while the other two felt that the training was “too intense, both physically and mentally”.
The recruits endured rigorous mental and physical training and were exposed to a comprehensive programme, which included military and non-military subjects.
Areas of training include: Map Reading and Land Navigation, Field Craft and Infantry Tactics,
First Aid, Physical Training, Jungle Warfare and Conventional Warfare, Internal Security, Statement Writing and Report Writing, Drills, Firearms Training, Basic Seamanship, Time Management, How to give evidence in court, Disaster Preparedness, Peer Pressure, Stress Management, Human Rights, Humanitarian Law, Conflict Resolution, Money Management, Motivational Talk and Unity and Telephone Courtesy.
Recruits, who excelled during training, were presented awards in accordance with their stellar performance.
The categories of award and awardees are:
Best in Pistol Shot – Recruit Kechel Pemberton
Best at Skill at Arms – Recruit Kerchel Pemberton
Most Disciplined Recruit – Recruit Kerchel Pemberton
Best at Field Craft – Recruit TeShell Mills
Best at Military Subjects – TeShell Mills
Best at Map & Compass – Recruit Lynette Pemberton
Best at Drills – Recruit Kadeem Lowry
Best at Physical Training – Recruit Shawn Mitchelle
Most Improved Recruit – Recruit Oval Lake
Best at First Aid – Recruit Raphael Wyatt
Best at Rifle Shot – Recruit Raphael Wyatt
Best Syndicate – Syndicate #2
Woman Recruit TeShell Mills
Recruit Raphael Wyatt
Recruit Shawn Mitchell
Recruit Shamir Dore
Recruit Darius Bedford
Recruit Bevon Davis
Recruit Kechel Pemberton
Recruits Everette Battice, Dimitri Browne and Kejon Caines were also among the successful graduates.
Recruit Raphael Wyatt, who out-performed his ‘squadies’, proved himself worthy of being adjudged the Best Overall Student.
As they concluded their first journey and prepare to serve and protect their country, its habitants and visitors, the newly-inducted soldiers were congratulated on their accomplishment and encouraged to perform their duties without fear or favour.
