Photo: GAF Officials.

GAF Decorates 18 Soldiers

By Ousman A. Marong

Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) has on Friday, 10 January 2020 decorated eighteen (18) soldiers to various ranks.

The decoration ceremony was held at the  army joint headquarters in Banjul and was presided over by Massaneh Kinteh, Chief of Defense Staff alongside with his deputy Major General Yankuba Drammeh and host of senior soldiers.

The decorated soldiers rose to the ranks of Lieutenant-Colonel, Major, and Captain.

Amongst the decorated soldiers 10 were promoted to the ranks of Captain and the other 6 were promoted to the ranks of major while the remaining two (2) rosed to the ranks of Lieutenant-Colonel.

 "Effective leadership at all levels of command is the duty and responsibility of the officer core," said the army chief.

  

Addressing senior officers at the army joint headquarters in Banjul The army chief categorically put it to his men that promotion in the army goes with greater challenges.

"I expect you (the promoted soldiers) to face the difficulties with the right attitude," he cautioned.

He further challenged his men to prepare themselves in order to face the realities associated with their new ranks.

The army chief went on to advise the newly promoted officers to maintain the highest standard of discipline, loyalty, and commitment to national duty and to leave up to expectations.

“I do not doubt your abilities as officers and through your capacities we can make an impact on the reform process of the Gambia Armed Forces,” he stated.

Deputy CDS, Yankuba Drammeh, on the other hand, reminded the officers of their oath.

“This is a very strong oath that we (soldiers) normally take. I believe you will keep up to the promises.  Promotion in the Military is not about mere decoration it goes with additional responsibility with commitment," he said.

A promoted Soldier.

Lieutenant-Colonel Abdoulie Manneh, speaking on behalf of his fellow promoted officers said “to whom much is given, much is expected.”

 

The promoted soldiers also echoed a similar sentiment saying promotion in the army is based on hard work and that hard work goes with promotion.

He hailed President Barrow as the commander in chief of the Armed Forces (GAF) and CDS Kinteh in their quest in promoting them (the soldiers).

The promoted soldiers took seven different oaths which are oaths of office, secrecy, trust, allegiance to the commander in chief of the Gambia Armed forces (GAF), allegiance to the state and allegiance to the people of the Gambia.