New BDF recruits train in Pine Ridge
If push ever came to shove at the border they would be the first Belizeans to be sent into harm’s way. But that, in the final analysis, is what being a soldier is all about. Ann-Marie Williams reports on what it takes to make the grade in the BDF.
Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting
Sixty-seven male recruits who have decided that they have what it takes to build a military career are participating in a three-week exercise called “Final Fling.”
Having undergone a week of jungle, the men are now learning more conventional warfare… Learning how to properly attack, defend and patrol open terrain in the Baldy Beacon area of the Mountain Pine Ridge.
Before they do battle, the recruits must test their physical as well as their mental capabilities. According to Commanding Officer, Captain Gilbert Suazo, is a huge challenge.
Capt. Gilbert Suazo, Commanding Officer
“Putting both the physical and the mental aspect together definitely becomes challenging for any individual recruit. For example if you are set in a situation where you will have to defend and at the same time be prepared to withdraw, it is testing your mental capability. And if you have to withdraw, it means that you will have to take all that kit that you have, which is sometimes equivalent to seventy pounds, so the physical demands then comes in. That, both physically and mentally, is challenging any recruit. At one stage they may be defending, but because you are defending, it means that you are preparing your defence, which means digging a foxhole by the trench and that in itself is tedious.”
The recruits started off at 0500 hours that morning with a camp attack. Lt. Oscar Mira is the Platoon Commander
Lt. Oscar Mira, Platoon Commander
“We withdrew to our defensive position where the enemy counterattacked us and we withdrew from Pinol Creek to this location. Here we established a patrol harbour, and the harbour will be here for another three days which will bring us to the end of the conventional phase, which is dry training.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“This is “Final Fling” and as the term suggests, this is the last time that have to make it in the jungle before they go to Baldy Beacon for six days of live firing. And if that weren’t enough, they go back to the classroom for three weeks before passing out.”
Capt. Gilbert Suazo
“Different aspects of map reading, field craft…all those lessons that they have been taught. They will also be brushed up their drill because we have to show the public that we are proud on the parade square when we pass out.”
And what happens if all sixty-seven recruits don’t pass out?
Capt. Gilbert Suazo
“Either that individual is back-termed and wait for another recruit intake, or he is placed to one of the regular rifle company where the officer in charge will then be tasked to ensure that that soldier reach the level before he is actually given what we call a Grade Two Soldier.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“And like any soldier would know, it’s easier to sweat on the training ground than to bleed on the battle field.”
Jesus Cob
“It’s a hard job. Good training. It’s challenging, but that’s why I came here, because I want to learn. I want to save our country from drug dealing, from crimes, drug trafficking.”
Jermains Burns, Recruit
“If you are just doing it say for the money, or if it was your last choice, you’re always going to be disturbed probably by the natural environment that you’re not used to: the flies, the insects. However, I’m a Cadet Officer and I enjoy this job. It’s what I’ve always wanted to be throughout, high school and after college I came directly into the job.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“What’s been the most challenging part for you?”
Jesus Cob
“In the jungle. When you are in the jungle, especially when you are in survival. You don’t have any food and you have to find your own food, go hunting, and eat leaves. To find water you have to walk some kilometres to probably get water. You go and bring water for your buddy, you have to find food, cook vines for example. We retain water from vines. No ration.”
Captain Andre Gab is the instructor who has seen four recruit intakes undergone conventional training.
Capt. Andre Gabb, Conventional Training Instructor
“Well for me, for doing it a couple of times, you could look at some of the soldiers and you could say more or less who will… who this will be a future for them or the remainder you could say this they might do for three years and then they will go. But there are some bright soldiers here. You could say that they will see a future in the BDF.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“What about the people who you severely underestimate, think that they will not really stay long, and they far outweigh the ones you count on? How often does that happen?”
Capt. Andre Gabb
“Very, very few times that would ever happen. I have never seen that happen before in my time. After doing this awhile, you could see who would make it and who would not.”
Ann-Marie Williams for News 5.
The passing out ceremony for recruit intake number forty-one is scheduled to take place in two weeks time.
