Supporting Youth Development
BDF Media Release| 21 September 20
Photography and Story credit: Private Kyle Straker
The Barbados Defence Force (BDF) in its continued support to the Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF) has joined their initiative with the Prince’s Trust International Charity. The Trust, originating in United Kingdom, launched their programme in Barbados on the Sunday 18 September 2016 and aims to assist “At Risk Youth” between the ages of 16 – 25 years.
Now in its 4th year of existence, they have reaped many successes in improving the lives of many Barbadian youth with programmes designed to last a life time. Currently, the programme is structured to improve personal skills, team-building skills and the basics to attain and maintain a sure presence in the workforce. This programme encompasses six components which include an introductory week, residential week, community projects, job placements and team challenges.
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The BDF in its support to the initiative, through its maritime unit The Barbados Coast Guard (BCG), assist the programme by providing Safety Of Life At Sea (SOLAS) training for the participants. This year such training was conducted at HMBS PELICAN and Brandon’s Beach. The aim of training is to ensure that all participants are qualified and confident when in the water which will transcend to their general life practices.
Coordinator, for the RBPF Sgt Hallam Jemmott, reiterated the police’s commitment, like the BDF to supporting youth development, especially for those at risk. He hopes, that the training, discipline and life skills attained during this 12-week period will continue to grow from strength as the students move on in various aspects of their lives. Interested persons are encouraged to call 230-1824 for more information or enrollment to the programme.
Commodore (Cdre) Errington Ricardo Shurland was appointed Chief of Staff of the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) on 1 September 2021. He enlisted in the BDF in February 1984 and in a military career spanning over 34 years, has served in various operational and administrative appointments.
Colonel Glyne Grannum joined the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) on 18 October 1985 and underwent career development training at the Canadian Forces Officer Candidate School, Chilliwack and the Combat Training Centre, Gagetown New Brunswick, Canada. He subsequently attended the Infantry Training Centre and the Signal Wing in Warminster, UK (PCBC and RSO Courses respectively), the International Institute of Humanitarian Law in San Remo, Italy; the Lester Pearson Canadian Peacekeeping Centre, the Canadian Land Forces Command and Staff College, Kingston, the Canadian Forces Command and Staff College, Toronto, the National Defence University of the People’s Liberation Army People’s Republic of China and the Centre for Hemispheric Defence Studies, National Defence University, Washington. He also attended a Defence Resources Management programme at National Defence Headquarters, Ottawa, Canada. In addition to being a qualified infantry officer, Col Grannum is a qualified Regimental Signals Officer and a former Operations Officer and Finance Officer of the BDF.
Colonel Banfield joined the Barbados Battalion of the South Caribbean Force in 1941 having just left the Cadet Corps at Combermere School, and was granted a commission as a Second Lieutenant in 1942. He was a Platoon Commander and a Company Commander during the war and served in Barbados, Dominica (as part of the Gale Force), St Lucia and St Vincent.
Warrant Officer Class 1 Colin Marshall is a graduate of the St Michael, and was born on the 5 November 1969 and enlisted in the Barbados Defence Force on 16 August 1994. He was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal in August 1997, Corporal in 1999, Sergeant in 2007, Color Sergeant in 2014, Warrant Officer Class Two in 2017 and Warrant Officer Class One in 2020. He was Most Outstanding Student on Junior Leadership Course in 1998, the Most Outstanding Student on Junior Non Commissioned Officer Cadre in Jamaica in 2000, best at Leadership on the Search Adviser Course in Jamaica in 2007 and the Most Outstanding Student on the Warrant Officer Course in Jamaica in 2015.
