Coral Harbour Base, July 2, 2019 – Bahamas – A total of 54 students became full-fledged Rangers on the island of Eleuthera after they were recently inducted into the Royal Bahamas Defence Force’s (RBDF) Rangers Program.
Held on the school grounds of the North
Eleuthera High School, Lower Bogue, relatives and friends assembled to witness
the induction of the young students who successfully completed the training.
The students represented 3 high schools on the island, namely; North Eleuthera
High School, Harbour Island All-Age School and Samuel Guy Pinder All-Age
School, Spanish Wells.
In attendance at the ceremony was the
Member of Parliament for North Eleuthera, the Honorable Howard Mackey, as well
as the Commander Defence Force, Commodore Tellis Bethel.
Also in attendance were Chief Councilor
Desmond Johnson, North Eleuthera District; Terrance Davis, Chief Councilor
Harbour Island; Robert Roberts, Chief Councilor Spanish Wells; and other
Government officials.
Bringing keynote remarks was Commodore
Bethel, who congratulated and commended the graduates on behalf of the Minister
of National Security, the Hon. Marvin Dames, and himself for successfully
completing 8 months of vigorous training in preparation for this day.
According to Commodore Bethel, the RBDF
Rangers has been in existence since 1995 and has expanded to include some 1500
members, with over 24 schools in new providence and 29 schools in 8 family
islands. The Rangers program was introduced to the island of Eleuthera last
year, and the students are taking full advantage of the opportunities.
“We partner with government, non-government
and private sector agencies such as BAMSI, GGYA, and the Bahamas National Trust
to ensure maximum benefits and certifications for our Rangers,” said Commodore
Bethel. “We have over 30 rangers who will be travelling this month to hocking
college in July in Ohio to engage in certification programs such as renewable
energy, welding and firefighting and 4 rangers from Eleuthera will be a part of
this program. Right now 46 rangers are participating in the rangers band camp
in New Providence, of which 3 Rangers from Eleuthera are participating in this
camp. ”
Special Awards were presented to a number of students. These awards included the overall Minister of National Security Award, which went to Astralia Carey from Harbour Island All-Age School; the Commander Defence Force Awards were presented to Michaella Lockhart and Mahalia Lockhart of North Eleuthera High School and Madison Wilson of Harbour Island All-Age School; and the Rangers Director Award was presented to Don Johnson of North Eleuthera High School.
Photo Caption:
Header:Rangers platoon in formation at the Passing out Parade ceremony of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force’s (RBDF) Rangers Program in Lower Bougue, Eleuthera.
(RBDF Photos by Ranger Cadet Mona Toussaint)
(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)
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