Guyana Defence Force in National Development
THE GUYANA DEFENCE FORCE IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: CIVILIAN-MILITARY RELATIONS - SOME PERSPECTIVES
The case for the Guyana Defence Force to be involved in national development is enshrine in the birth of the Force and it is articulated as the third part of the Force’s tripartite role: 1. “Defend the territorial integrity of Guyana. 2. Assist the civil power in the maintenance of law and order when required to do so. 3. Contribute to the economic development of Guyana.”[1] The question then has to be, how will the Force be most effective in fulfilling this role. This essay contends that good civil-military relations with government and non-government organisations are critical to the successful fulfilment of this role. To demonstrate the relationship between successful national development activities and good civil-military relations, I will examine areas of development the Force can be most effective and show that the level of effectiveness will be driven by the quality civil-military relations in the said area. What then are the areas of development that the Guyana Defence Force can be most effective? The following areas of development were selected because the military role and level of success is easily measureable: 1. Engineering – infrastructural work; road construction, housing projects for low income earners, etc. 2. Health services – medical outreaches; military doctors, dentists providing service in hinterland areas, etc. 3. Education – military personnel both soldiers and civilians are employed as teachers in hinterland areas where there are limited schools, etc. 4. Economic – military personnel being employed on economic projects; such as the establishment of micro-industries, for example, farming. 5. Administrative – Officers are seconded to administrative positions in government agencies and even the other Services of the Joint Services. 6. Aviation – Augmenting the transportation of people
The case for the Guyana Defence Force to be involved in national development is enshrine in the birth of the Force and it is articulated as the third part of the Force’s tripartite role: 1. “Defend the territorial integrity of Guyana. 2. Assist the civil power in the maintenance of law and order when required to do so. 3. Contribute to the economic development of Guyana.”[1] The question then has to be, how will the Force be most effective in fulfilling this role. This essay contends that good civil-military relations with government and non-government organisations are critical to the successful fulfilment of this role. To demonstrate the relationship between successful national development activities and good civil-military relations, I will examine areas of development the Force can be most effective and show that the level of effectiveness will be driven by the quality civil-military relations in the said area. What then are the areas of development that the Guyana Defence Force can be most effective? The following areas of development were selected because the military role and level of success is easily measureable: 1. Engineering – infrastructural work; road construction, housing projects for low income earners, etc. 2. Health services – medical outreaches; military doctors, dentists providing service in hinterland areas, etc. 3. Education – military personnel both soldiers and civilians are employed as teachers in hinterland areas where there are limited schools, etc. 4. Economic – military personnel being employed on economic projects; such as the establishment of micro-industries, for example, farming. 5. Administrative – Officers are seconded to administrative positions in government agencies and even the other Services of the Joint Services. 6. Aviation – Augmenting the transportation of people
References: Best G. A. R. (2010) Career Development Plan Guyana Defence Force. Guyana Defence Force Best G Granger D. A. (1975) The new road. Guyana Defence Force. Granger D. A. (2005) A brief history of the Guyana Defence Force. Free Press. Huntington, S. (1957). The soldier and the state: theory and practice of civil-military relations. Cambridge, Belknap Press of Harvard University Press. Johnson, J. (1981). The role of the military in underdeveloped countries. New Jersey, Princeton University. Greenwood Press Reprint . Lehmann, D. (1979). Democracy and development in Latin America: Economics, politics and religion in the post-war period. Temple University Press. Smith, K. A. and Welch, E. C. (1974). Military role and rule. Massachusetts, Duxbury Press,. Tachau, F. (1974). The developing nations (What paths to modernization?). New York, Dodd, Mead and Co. Thompson W. S. (1983). The third world: Premises of U.S policy. San Francisco: JOS Press. [2] Granger D. A A Brief History of the Guyana Defence Force, 2005 pg75. [3] Stabroek News Sunday, June 15, 2008. [4] Stabroek News Sunday, June 15, 2008. [5] Stabroek News Tuesday, August 17, 2010. [6] Best G [7] [8] Stabroek News Saturday, April 10, 2010. [9] Best G. A. R Career Development Plan Guyana Defence Force, 2010 pg17. [11] Granger D. A A Brief History of the Guyana Defence Force, 2005 pg74. [13] See Granger D. A A Brief History of the Guyana Defence Force, 2005 pg75.