From Gambia Armed Force Training School to Joint Service Headquarters and Defence Headquarters, the State Guard Battalion on Thursday 8 April 2021, took turn to decorate 189 promoted soldiers to various Non Commission Officer (NCO) ranks. The promoted soldiers were 124 Privates to the rank of Corporal, 40 Lance Corporals to Corporal, 25 Corporals to Sergeant and two Sergeants to Staff Sergeant.

You may recall that the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) high command in 2020 embarked on a massive promotion of its personnel to Junior and Senior NCO ranks. This was done to recognize the hard work, dedication and loyalty of GAF personnel in the NCO core.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Commanding Officer, State Guard Battalion, Colonel Sait Njie congratulated the promotees on their well deserved promotion. He said this while stating that promotion in the military is a privilege meant to recognize the soldier’s effort. “Promotion in the military is a privilege meant to recognize hard work, dedication to duty, discipline and sacrifice. As a cherished and rich military tradition, a decoration ceremony is performed to decorate newly promoted personnel with their new ranks.

Furthermore, he noted that the event was organized to celebrate the achievements and honour the recipient and also encourage and motivate others to excel and perpetuate military values of service before self.

Colonel Njie expressed delights while he states “The promotion of this large number of soldiers, majority of whom are from the lower rank category, is a perfect indication that the authorities do not only care about the welfare and plight of troops under command but also believe in their abilities to perform even better in their next responsibilities”.

He posited that promotion followed a transparent process and military best practice as a promotion board was convened by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Yakubu Drammeh, comprising of trusted and reliable officers and other ranks, tasked to identify soldiers who deserved to be promoted using mainly the principle of meritocracy.

 Colonel Njie encouraged the promotees to always serve as visible role models to your subordinates and colleagues while tasking them to prepare to lead the way at any given situation.

The Commander Republican National Guard (RNG), Brigadier General Turo Jawneh expressed delights to be part of the memorable event while convening the greetings and congratulatory message of the CDS to the promotees and their families on their well deserved promotion. He also prevailed on the opportunity to thank the President and Commander-In-Chief, His Excellency Adama Barrow for approving this promotion as well as several other promotions. The General also recognized the role of families of the promoted soldiers as he thanked them for their astute understanding and support they rendered to their spouse.

General Jawneh posited that promotions are supposed to be normal occurrences in every growing transparent organization, GAF not an exception to this. He however noted that promotions in GAF are guided by the Terms and Conditions of Service (TACOS) of GAF and also in line with international best practices. 

He said the promoted soldiers were promoted based on the recommendations of a board constituted by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) and they were guided by TACOS 1993 and international best practice. “You may all recall that since the down of the new political dispensation, several officers were promoted to various ranks of GAF after undergoing a promotional exam newly instituted as part of a wider reform of the armed forces. Equally, soldiers were also subjected to various exercises and tasks commensurate with their ranks as a requirement to promotions to their next ranks. Therefore, these soldiers were equally subjected to the same conditions like their comrades that were promoted by several boards instituted by their services and the DHQ”.

As the nation approaches its election calendar, the General used the platform to advice soldiers to desist from any political activity and equally desist from tribal inclinations as tribalism has no place in GAF. “I wish to remind you of the political climate, while urging you all to remain vigilant, professional and apolitical in the execution of your separate constitutional duties. Fine, we have the mandate to vote, we have the right to vote but you cannot manifest openly that you are sympathizing with one particular party. Tribalism is no go area as far as the army is concern. Our role I must admit is a noble one and requires total commitment to the ideals of the founding fathers of the country.”

The ceremony culminated in a spectacular military promotion traditional jamboree by welcoming the newly promoted soldiers into their new ranks and roles and also wishing them well by bathing them with water.

 

Source: Gambia Armed Forces