* H. E. Governor-General, Sir Arthur Foulkes * Government Ministers
* Permanent Secretary Ministry of National Security, Carl Smith
* Commander Defence Force, Commodore Roderick Bowe
* Deputy Commander Defence Force, Captain Tellis Bethel
* Host Senior Pastor, Pastor Lyall Bethel
* RBDF Chaplain, Reverend Prince Bodie
* Other Member of the Clergy
* Senior Officers, Officers, Warrant Officers, Senior Rates & Junior Rates of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force
Good Afternoon
I am pleased once again to join the men and women of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, their families and friends in this Annual Church Service here at Grace Community Church.
Together we have come to give God thanks for His guidance and protection for the past year and to seek His continuing guidance and favour in the year ahead, in the demanding and potentially dangerous calling of protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country.
Last year, the anniversary celebrations of The Defence Force were held under the Theme: “A Higher Call to Service”. So encompassing and timely was that theme that I was tempted to suggest that it be used yet another year. I trust that it has, or will become a part of the mindset amongst the Officers and Marines of the Force, and hopefully the entire population of The Bahamas.
This past year we have seen changes in the Administration of the Force, including the addition of new posts to allow for a smoother running of the Force. There have been shortened deployment times and Officers and Marines have had more opportunities to embrace training in local, regional and international arenas.
You have continued to patrol the waters of The Bahamas to deter and apprehend foreign poachers who plunder our marine resources and illegal migrants, who are trying to escape from their own countries’ problems. Your unabated efforts at deterring and apprehending those engaged in the nefarious activities of drug trafficking and illegal firearms smuggling are commendable.
My ministry remains supportive of the further growth and development of the Defence Force. We understand the wide range your role encompasses from sentry duties at diplomatic missions, assisting with disaster response and relief, patrolling our waters, to manning of light houses and other navigational aids around The Bahamas. Additionally you assist in keeping our Bahamian high school students dedicated, disciplined and determined to be model citizens through the Force’s Ranger Programme. Through this, you have inspired many young Bahamians.
The Government is pleased with the positive direction in which the Defence Force is heading. The archipelagic nature of our country makes the management of our borders and the protection of our shores most challenging. Notwithstanding these challenges, the Government will continue to provide the necessary resources for the Force to fulfill its mandate, including the acquisition of more manpower, more practical and tailored assets, the establishment of satellite bases in strategic places and a decentralized organization.
There are currently 1060 Officers and Marines in the Force, but we recognize that increasingly more persons are reaching 25 years of service and becoming eligible to retire. While all eligible will not exercise their right to retire, 57 officers and marines retired last year. As such, the government will ensure consistent recruitment beginning with 60 new recruits next month.
Significant investment will also continue to be made in the development of the Defence Force’s human capital. The training will ensure that a skilled cadre of personnel is available to replace personnel retiring or resigning from the Force.
Implementation of the policy of decentralization of the Defence Force from New Providence to islands throughout The Bahamas is ongoing. The network of Bases now includes HMBS Matthew Town in Inagua, and Bases in Grand Bahama, Exuma and Abaco. A more suitable and permanent location is being explored for the Grand Bahama Base and steps continue to be taken for the establishment of a Satellite Base at Gun Point, Ragged Island.
The decentralization policy has brought to the forefront the dilemma of Defence Force personnel who, for family and other reasons, do not want to be deployed on Bases outside of New Providence. It must be understood, however, that the Defence Force is primarily a sea-going organization intended to guard and protect the vast territorial waters of The Bahamas. As such there can be no escaping of the requirement to be posted at sea at certain periods of one’s career within the Defence Force if one hopes to be rewarded with up-ward mobility.
Over the past three (3) years, considerable focus has been given to building the Defence Force into then effective and efficient sea-going Force it is intended to be, and instilling the discipline and providing the education and training necessary for these purposes.
The Government is committed to the acquisition of additional sea-going assets to keep pace with the capacity of the Defence Force to effectively crew and utilize the assets. And, going forward, a prerequisite for recruitment to the Defence Force is a pledge to serve at sea.
At the Annual Church Service last year, I reminded the newly appointed Commodore and Senior Command that they were expected to provide exemplary leadership. A culture of change and continuous improvement now seems to be firmly embedded within the Defence Force. I am pleased to publicly state that, as Minister of National Security, I have been most satisfied with the outstanding leadership that has been brought to the Defence Force. You have been strict, practical and fair in governing the Force and you have held every Officer and every Marine to the highest standard of personal conduct and integrity in the performance of their duties and in their conduct on and off duty.
Indeed, a number of Defence Force Officers who had earlier resigned their Commissions and Marines that left the Force made requests to be reinstated as they themselves have been inspired by the new leadership to serve once again on the Force. I must emphasize that the re-enlistment of Officers and Marines will only be accommodated to acquire needed expertise and will not be at the expense of the up-ward mobility of personnel who remained engaged on the Force.
The Command of the Defence Force is to be commended for implementing the initial phase of the Defence Force Reserves. We look forward to the development of the Reserves into an entity that has among its ranks honourably discharged Marines and Bahamians with specialist and professional expertise not readily available in the regular Force.
While this is a challenging period for all those involved in National Security it is also one of the most exciting times in the history of the Defence Force as it undergoes significant transformation and upgrade. There is a brighter future ahead, a future which will see the continued modernisation of the Defence Force as an organisation which continues to lead by example in the commitment to public service.
I take this opportunity to say thank you to all those past and present Officers and Marines, who have given of their time, energy and skills in the service of The Bahamas. In doing so, I also would like to convey the sincere thanks and appreciation of the Prime Minister, Government and people of The Bahamas, for your dedicated and exemplary service.
I urge you to continue to be confident in your abilities, be proud of who you are and the institution that you represent. There will be challenges ahead but you must continue to wear your uniforms with pride and honour, as we remain committed to serving and securing the citizens of this nation. I impress upon you the absolute necessity to be honest men and women of integrity, loyalty, discipline and professional competence. You must never compromise these virtues.
I also take this opportunity to recognize and commend all the families, especially spouses and children, as well as friends, and thank them for the support and encouragement, which I am sure, have helped you to stay the course.
I thank you all and once again reiterate that we are grateful. May God continue to bless you and our Bahamaland.