Don't call it a shortcut but 16 Belize Defense Force cadets are undergoing a crash course in the military. The soldiers ranging in age from 18 to 26 joined the army specifically to become specialized in fields ranging from medicine to engineering. But first and foremost they will be soldiers and that means military training. 7NEWS checked up on the ambitious recruits today.
Keith Swift Reporting, Email - [keithkswift@gmail.com]
Today's mission is to take this map and make this model but these young men and women in uniforms aren't your regular soldiers on a training exercise - you are looking at the future of Belize's army. These are officer cadets who are learning the ABCs of the military, the basics, as part of their fast-track to a specialized career in the military. Lieutenant Omar Salam is in charge of the training.
Lt. Omar Salam, Training Officer
"We're giving a crash course as to what they can expect when they go overseas. It ranges from map reading, troop leading procedures, and order processing. For these cadets it's relatively mild compared to what recruits go through in the initial phase. Its more a teaching phase to get them prepared for the course that they are going to encounter overseas. So its not as intense however do give them an eye-opener, we call it."
21-year-old Mathew Gillet is one of 16 officer cadets participating in the two week training exercise. He is a graduate of St. John's College sixth form and leaves in September to attend the Cromwell Airforce Academy in England. But before England, Gillet has to survive working in the field.
Mathew Gillet, BDF Officer Cadet
"Its always been a childhood dream to become a pilot and the BDF gave me that opportunity. My academics and hard work has paid off so they accepted me to that program. In the future I see myself only becoming better and serving better to perfect everything; its just perfection that you seek. In the military there is no room for imperfection so its me becoming a better person and more disciplined.
So far it has been nothing but enjoyment. I have learnt a lot. The BDF has given me the opportunity to widen my knowledge. What I am doing here no schooling and no formal education can really prepare me for but when you come here and witness it yourself you will find a better feeling. You come out being a better person overall."
And then there is 18-year-old Kimberly Cain who hasn't even graduated yet from sixth form but is already planning on a career with the BDF. Cain plans to follow in the footsteps of her contemporaries.
Kimberly Cain, Officer Cadet
"I chose to become an officer cadet because I saw Bobby D, the lady that went to West Point the other day. She was telling us about it and was encouraging us to join and it was a free opportunity to get a scholarship, get in shape, discipline and everything.
Currently I have one more year to complete at sixth form in the general studies program. Now that I am an officer cadet, what I will do is since I am still in school I will not join yet as a regular force because I have to complete school and they encourage education so I will join as a volunteer and come in like every other weekend, ever second weekend, to train.
I would like to go to the Naval Academy to get a degree in Coast Guard."
The training concludes at the end of next week.
