Commodore Gary Best decorates Col. Algernon with her new Badge of Rank.

In a history making moment, the promotion of Guyana’s first female Colonel was today announced. Leading the Guyana Defence Force’s promotions list is Substantive Colonel, Windee Algernon, who has been elevated in rank from Substantive Lieutenant Colonel.

The army said in a statement that her promotion was  in accordance with Part III Section 16 of the Defence Act Chapter 15:01, of 1977.

Demerara Waves Online News (www.demwaves.com ) was told that Colonel Algernon goes into retirement shortly.

Guyana Defence Force Chief-of-Staff Gary Best announced that, Commander-in-Chief President Donald Ramotar has approved Colonel Algernon’s promotion along with that of 68 other Officers of the Force. Colonel Algernon’s elevation to her new rank is also quite significant since she is the first full-serving member of any of the Caribbean’s armed forces to hold such an appointment. 

Colonel Kemraj Persaud who was elevated to that rank on January 1, 2011, has been confirmed in his rank while Substantive Lieutenant Colonels Enoc Gaskin and Frances Abraham have been elevated in rank to Acting Colonel.

Acting Lieutenants Colonel Lawrence Fraser and Ronald Hercules have been confirmed in their rank while Substantive Major Fitzroy Warde has been elevated in rank to Substantive Lieutenant Colonel.

Substantive Majors Ramkarran Doodnauth, Gary Baird, Godfrey Bess, Julius Skeete, Sherwin Anderson and Omar Khan have been elevated in rank to Acting Lieutenant Colonel while Acting Major Raul Jerrick has been confirmed in his rank.

Meanwhile, 13 Substantive Captains have been elevated in rank to Acting Major and seven Acting Captains have been confirmed in their rank.

Eight Substantive Lieutenants have been elevated in rank to Acting Captains while Substantive Lieutenant Kevin Moore has been promoted to Local Captain.

Eight Acting Lieutenants have been confirmed in their rank while eight Second Lieutenants have been elevated in rank to Acting Lieutenant.

In the Coast Guard, Substantive Sub Lieutenant Adrian McLean has been elevated in rank to Acting Lieutenant (CG) while three Acting Sub Lieutenants including one female have been elevated in rank to Substantive Sub Lieutenant.

In the GDF Reserve, Substantive Major Clifton Innis has been elevated in rank to Acting Lieutenant Colonel while Acting Major Irshad Alli has been confirmed in his rank.

Three Acting Captains have been confirmed in their rank and Acting Lieutenant Dwayne Mitchell has been elevated to the rank of Substantive Lieutenant.

The newly-promoted Senior Officers received their new badges of Rank at a simple yet significant Badging Ceremony at the Officers Club at Base Camp Ayanganna this morning.

The Commander-in-Chief and Chief-of-Staff have extended congratulations to all the promoted Officers.

The announcement of the promotions among the Force’s Other Ranks will be made shortly.