Two GDF officers elevated to the rank of colonel

(Georgetown, Guyana. August 6, 2018)

Substantive Lieutenant Colonels Trevor Bowman and Godfrey Bess have been promoted to the rank of Substantive Colonel. Their promotions, which took effect from July 1, 2018, was announced by Chief-of-Staff Brigadier Patrick West in accordance with Part III Section 16 of the Defence Act, Cap. 15:01 of 1977, following approval by His Excellency the President and Commander in-Chief.

Chief-of-Staff Brigadier Patrick West congratulated the newly promoted Colonels after decorating them with their new badges of rank. He urged the officers to continue on their path of excellence. Brigadier West also expressed appreciation to Mrs. Gee-Gee Bowman and Mrs. Shondelle Bess for supporting their husbands’ careers.

Brigadier West revealed that Colonel Bowman has been appointed to Inspector General, while Colonel Godfrey Bess will hold the post of Quartermaster General. The two appointments, the Chief-of-Staff noted, demand high levels of responsibility, accountability, and greater efforts to ensure that a standard is upheld throughout the Force. Brigadier West expressed confidence in the officers and encouraged them to continue giving their best, not only for the development of the GDF, but also in service to the people of Guyana.

Colonel Bowman acknowledged that with his new rank comes increased expectations. He thanked his creator and acknowledged his reliance on God’s guidance and providence as he progresses in his career. He also expressed appreciation for his wife’s tremendous support particularly when duty calls for him to be in locations far away from home. He thanked his superiors for having confidence in him, as he supports the further development of the Guyana Defence Force.

Colonel Bess thanked his wife and family for their selfless and invaluable support. He also thanked the GDF, the Chief-of Staff and the Commander-in-Chief for their confidence in his ability to get the job done. Col. Bess also thanked his fellow Officers and the Ranks with whom he worked and who, he acknowledged, had enabled his success on the journey to military excellence. He pledged to stay dedicated and committed to the continued pursuit of excellence for the GDF.