The Royal Bahamas Defence Force welcomes in ninety (90) recruits after months of hard work and successfully graduating from New Entry Training at the Coral Harbour Base.The entry which comprised of seventy (70) males and twenty (20) females is the most recent group to join the Defence Force after seventeen (17) weeks of arduous basic military training.Prime Minister, the Honourable Phillip Davis Q.C, who was in attendance, carried out an inspection of the parade, accompanied by the Minister of National Security, The Honourable Wayne Munroe, Q.C. and Commander Defence Force, Commodore Dr. Raymod King. In his address to the newest squad of Defence Force Marines, Prime Minister Davis commended them and expressed his gratitude to them on behalf of the nation on their decision to become guardians of The Bahamas.“You could have chosen a less demanding path, but instead you chose a career of service, and for that you have my gratitude and – I feel confident in saying — the gratitude of your fellow citizens.”He also forewarned them of the obstacles which lie ahead of them.“The true measure of your character will be evident not when you navigate calm waters, but turbulent ones. I urge you to put aside any complacency, and instead develop a reputation for accepting the hardest challenges. If you understand that when you face difficulties, you are being shaped for a purpose, you will rise to the moment every time.”With family and friends present in support, the newly graduated recruits displayed precision military foot drills, weapons drills, and a physical fitness display as per tradition. In addition to this, there was a marching band and drumline performance by the new entrants.The Training Department, commanded by Commander Valentino Rolle provided a training programme that covered professional disciplines such as Navigation, Seamanship, Weapons Handling, Defence Act and Regulations, Military Martial Arts, Survival, Firefighting and Communications.Recipients of Special Awards were as follows:The Best Female Recruit Award recipient was McKeshia Nabbie and the Best Male Recruit was Judah Brown.As the new entry marched off the parade ground they marched onto a new way of living, a culture, as the newest addition to the Royal Bahamas Defence Force. Photos by Able Seaman Michael Turner.
