Coral Harbour Base, 17 May (RBDF) – Sub Lieutenant Delroy Dennis is the newest addition to the Officer’s Corp of The Royal Bahamas Defence Force after successfully completing the Officer Candidate School in New London, Connecticut. To continue its effectiveness in meeting its mandate, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force has committed not only to expanding its overall strength but its cadre of professionally skilled and trained managers to lead the military entity.
The rigorous seventeen-week Coast Guard course that Sub Lieutenant Dennis underwent was sponsored by the International Military Education Training Program (IMET), and was conducted at the United States Coast Guard Academy, New London, Connecticut, from Jan 11th through May 9th 2017. The course is designed to educate and train officer candidates to ensure that they possess the moral, intellectual and physical qualities for commissioning, and the leadership potential to serve effectively as officers, or managers in the naval field.
The course curriculum included academic courses as well as modules on leadership and management, nautical science, health and physical readiness, customs and courtesies, military traditions and Coast Guard history
The Academic aspect of the course helped Sub Lieutenant Dennis appreciate a broad spectrum perspective of the United States Coast Guard. It also exposed him to Maritime Law Enforcement, Military Etiquette, Unified Code of Military Justice, Effective Writing and Communication Skills.
The Nautical Science aspect included a two-week underway training cruise that consist of Bridge Watch-keeping and Navigation Law (Rules of the Road), where the officer were required to apply the knowledge of Piloting, Maneuvering Boards, Ship Handling, Shipboard Communication, Celestial Navigation, Tides and Currents, Nautical Nomenclature and The Compass System. The Officer spent time at Station New London where he learned how to coxswain small boats and he also became qualified as a boarding team member. While at Station New London he conducted many routine patrols and exercised a variety of safety and operational drills. Additionally, Sub Lieutenant Dennis attended a two-day training session in Fire Fighting and Damage Control at The US Naval Base in New Port, Rhode Island.
The Leadership and Management section assesses the officer’s Leadership Abilities, Managerial and Conceptual abilities. Evaluations are based on Personal Conduct, Military Aptitude, Situational Awareness and Leadership Positions. He was also responsible for various administrative duties during his tenure at the school. Sub Lieutenant Dennis served in numerous roles, including Officer of the Day, Junior Officer of the Day, Squad Leader. He was also the Drill Assistant who helped with the execution of the Silent Drill at the OCS graduation ceremony.
Sub Lieutenant Dennis graduated from C.I Gibson High School, and enlisted in the Royal Bahamas Defence Force in February 2005 as a Marine Recruit. A certified Military Diver, he successfully completed the Commando Course in 2008. He diligently worked his way up to the rate of Leading Seaman and he attended the Gunners Mate ‘A’ School in York Town, Virginia in 2009. A former Bahamas Novice Body Building Champion in 2010, the young officer attended the Protection of National Leadership School in North Carolina in 2012, where he completed also completed courses in Counter Terrorism and Defensive Driving School. He was previously assigned to the Squadron department and most recently, the Training department prior to attending the Officer Candidate School.
RBDF Photo shows: Commodore Tellis Bethel welcoming Sub Lieutenant Delroy Dennis after the young officer completed his overseas Training at the United States Coast Guard Academy, New London, Connecticut.
From left are Commodore Tellis Bethel, Sub Lieutenant Delroy Dennis and Lieutenant Commander Michael Hanna, Human and Resource Officer, RBDF.
(RBDF Photo by Marine Seaman Kyle Smith)
