U.S. Embassy’s Security Cooperation Office Partners with GDF on Exchange

Georgetown – The U.S. Embassy Security Cooperation Office, together with representatives from the Florida National Guard, conducted a Non Commissioned Officer and Officer Leadership subject matter expert exchange with the Guyana Defence Force.  The exchange took place at the Guyana Defence Force Base Camp Stephenson on

June 2-5, 2015.  The event covered a myriad of topics such as troop leading procedures, leaders as counselors with effective communication, military decision making processes, and Non-Commissioned Officer and Officer cohesion in combat for GDF soldiers assigned to all GDF forces.

This event was led by CPT Ludger of the Florida National Guard who is assigned as the training officer with 3/20th Special Forces Group.  CPT Gregory Nandlall of the Guyana Defence Forces also facilitated the event.  CPT Nandlall was instrumental in the success of this event as he and his team shared a wealth of knowledge with the U.S. Army team.

The event was highly successful for the Florida Army National Guard and Guyana Defence Force.  The subject matter expert exchange was scenario driven allowing soldiers to exchange best practices in the art of leadership. This event has also set the stage for future leadership subject matter exchanges to take place in 2016.  Next year’s event will focus on enhancing common understanding of senior noncommissioned officers and warrant officers serving in leadership roles, responsibilities, administrative action, tactics, and principles.

The Non Commissioned Officer and Officer Leadership event is part of a longstanding relationship between the Guyana Defense Force and the Florida National Guard through the State Partnership Program (SPP).  Members of the Florida National Guard have had several opportunities this year to share in SPP events such as Sexual Harassment Assault Response & Prevention, Military Police Civil Disturbance, Intelligence Seminar, Health Administration, and Maritime Counter Narcotics Seminar this year alone.  The Florida National Guard Bilateral Affairs Officer CPT Fischer plans to conduct four more events this year.