#Nassau, August 7, 2018 – Bahamas – A group of young cadets from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Rangers programme are better prepared for the challenges ahead after they successfully completed the 3rd Annual Rangers Leadership Summer Camp.
Conducted at St. George’s High School in Grand Bahama, the Summer Program was broken down into six Personal Development Courses, namely: Ranger’s Advance Officers Training Course, Ranger’s Officers Training Course, the Governor General Youth Award (GGYA) Expedition Qualifying Hike, and Introduction to Photojournalism, Scuba Diving Certification, and the Defence Force Marine Candidate Familiarization Course.
In attendance at the closing ceremony were Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Mr. Eugene Poitier, who brought remarks; Mr. Ivan butler, District Superintendent for the Eastern District of Grand Bahama; Mr. Keith Barr Principal of the school and Commander Chapell Whyms, Executive Officer of the Defence Force’s Northern Command.
“I admonish all of you Ranger Cadets not to let the spark that was ignited during this leadership training be extinguished. Instead, turn that spark into a flame”, said Mr. Poitier. “Maintain your passion for leadership and the quest to excel and achieve. That desire will take you wherever you want to go. Aspire for leadership roles in your schools, churches and other youth programs where you subscribe”.
The 3-week Leadership camp was conducted by the Defence Force Rangers Department, with auxiliary personnel from other departments including the Medical Center, Public Relations, and Commando Squadron, with the assistance of Grand Bahama Scuba Dive Instructors Fred and Malinda Riger.
The students participated in numerous exciting activities throughout the summer program, which included tour visits to various media outlets on the island, several historic and national parks and other places of interest.
During the ceremony, several Rangers received special awards for their outstanding achievements during the program. They included:
Rangers Officer Candidate Course
Best Male Recruit – Sanchez Albury
Best Female Recruit – Tanaj Mckay
Rangers Advance Officer Candidate Course
Most Outstanding Cadet – Lieutenant Dikembe Wilkinson
Rangers Photojournalism Course
Most Outstanding Cadet – Raven Davis
Rangers Dive Course
Most Outstanding – Nathan McIntosh
RBDF Familiarization Program
Most Outstanding Cadet – Kyle Strachan
Commander Defence Force, Commodore Tellis Bethel commended Lieutenant Delvonne Duncombe, Ranger Director, the Rangers Staff and all other individuals who participated during the program. He also expressed the Defence Force’s appreciation for the support of corporate sponsors which included Cable Bahamas, Bahamas Food Services, Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas, Bahama Pure, The Freeport News, and the Rotaract Club of Freeport, and the Principal and staff of the school.
Release: RBDF
Photo Captions:
Header: The group of RBDF Rangers who attended the 3rd Annual Rangers Leadership Summer Camp in Grand Bahama.
First Insert: Rangers Cadet Raven Davis receiving her award for her outstanding work in the Photojournalism Course. Photo shows from left: Lieutenant Delvonne Duncombe, Ranger Director; Ms. Sherry Wood, Open Water Diver and volunteer; Cadet Raven Davis; Mr. Eugene Poitier, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security; and Commander Chapell Whyms, Executive Officer of the Defence Force’s Northern Command.
Second Insert: Rangers Lieutenant Dikembe Wilkinson receiving his award for most outstanding Ranger in the Advance Officer Candidate Course. Photo shows from left: Lieutenant Delvonne Duncombe, Ranger Director; Ms. Sherry Wood, Open Water Diver and volunteer; Rangers Lieutenant Dikembe Wilkinson; Mr. Eugene Poitier, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security; and Commander Chapell Whyms, Executive Officer of the Defence Force’s Northern Command.
Third Insert: Cadet Kyle Strachan receiving his award for Most Outstanding Cadet in the RBDF Familiarization Program. Photo shows from left: Lieutenant Delvonne Duncombe, Ranger Director; Ms. Sherry Wood, Open Water Diver and volunteer; Cadet Kyle Strachan; Mr. Eugene Poitier, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security; and Commander Chapell Whyms, Executive Officer of the Defence Force’s Northern Command.
(RBDF Photos by Marine Seaman Michael Turner)
(For further information please contact the RBDF Public Relations Department or visit our website: www.rbdf.gov.bs, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and view our Youtube channel)
-rbdf-
#GuardOurHeritage
#MarlinSpike
#OperationConservation