And while those youths live by their own laws on the street, other young men and women are choosing lives and careers that require discipline and keeping steadfastly to the rules of others. 52 men and women have joined the regular ranks of the Belize Defense Force. On Friday the men and women passed out at Price Barracks after undergoing 16 weeks of intense training in jungle tactics, survival training conventional combat tactics as well as live firing. Also graduating were 18 members of the jungle warfare instructors course which included 2 Guatemalans, 3 Canadians, 2 Jamaicans and one Barbadian. You may remember we visited with them while they trained in the Mountain Pine Ridge Area.
Addressing the graduating class, new Minister of Defence Cordel Hyde congratulated the BDF in its new initiative of taking up the mantle of training world soldiers.
Hon. Cordel Hyde, Minister of Defense
"The presence today of students from Canada, Jamaica, Barbados, and Guatemala in our jungle warfare instruction course is a manifestation of our efforts at cooperation. The nature of the emerging threats requires that militaries be ready to fight anywhere, anytime. Our tropical climate, pristine jungle, and democratic values provide a unique and ideal environment for our partners to train. In addition to those countries present, this year alone troops from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and Singapore have taken advantage of the opportunity to train in our jungles. We will continue to offer this resource as we seek to make our contribution to the regional hemispheric and global security."
7NEWS produced for broadcast by News Director Jules Vasquez
Edited and Prepared for the internet by Keith Swift
