The following are excepts from an editorial in the Bahama Journal, Friday, 15th September 2006: :taped:

Defend And Protect The Bahamas

"(The Defence Force) says that its mission to become a self-sufficient, multi-missioned, world class, maritime organization with the operational capability to respond to threats to national security, as well as to perform humanitarian tasks inclusive of maritime search and rescue, disaster relief assistance and peacekeeping in cooperation with regional partners."

"...under the Defence Act, the Defence Force has been mandated to defend The Bahamas, protect its territorial integrity, patrol its waters, provide assistance and relied in times of disaster, maintain order in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies of The Bahamas, and carry our any such duties as determined by the National Security Council."

"Today, in contradistinction to these brave words, we reference the parlous state of this nation’s Royal Bahamas Defence Force. Information reaching us suggests that the Defence Force is mired in a mess."

"There is talk about defence force vessels that are grossly inadequate, aircraft that are not air-worthy and a high command that seems in over its head. There is also more talk about the extent to which successive governments have neglected their duties as regards this agency."

"Whether true, grounded or not, we can report that there is a deeply held public perception that the Royal Bahamas Defence Force has been corrupted."

"The Hon. Cynthia Pratt (must) do the right thing as far as the Royal Bahamas Defence Force is concerned (by) providing the public with an up to date accounting as to what progress –if any- she and her colleagues have made in their effort to upgrade this vitally important agency."

"In this regard, the authorities would be well advised to ‘get real’ and explain to the Bahamian people that if they want their country to be taken seriously as a sovereign nation, its borders must be defended."


"In the ultimate analysis –then- the Bahamian people can only enjoy goods they are prepared to pay for. The matter involving the Royal Defence Force is one of these needed goods".

http://www.jonesbahamas.com/?c=128&a=10000

It is a well known fact that the men and women of the RBDF are not allowed to form an association (as the police service), strike, or stage work protest or demonstrations. As they are not civilians, they are subject to the provisions of the Defence Force Act 1987. Therefore, their only collective "voice" is in the ballot boxes, when they exercise their constitutional right to vote in the national elections.

Consequently, it is incumbent upon the political leaders and a "concerned" citizenry to ensure that the Defence Force is given appropriate oversight, a realistic budget, the best leadership, the required number of qualified personnel, proper training and equipment to fight the war on drugs, illegal migration and poaching. :bahamas:

It is rather interesting that a recent article in the Tribune gave coverage to the grand opening of the Defence Force Commissary (a store on base where active duty and retired military personnel could purchase food and other items at a considerable discount). Present at this grand opening was the present Commander Defence Force, Commodore Davy Rolle. :cheers:

When asked by a reporter about implementation of the RBDF Review Committee's recommendation, Commodore Rolle kept a stiff upper lip and gave no comments.... It appears that the commodore's only legacy, when he finally "retires", will be that some infrastructural improvements to the Defence Force Facilities were completed under his command.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm???????????????

It is interesting that just last year the RBDF was reviewed by a government appointed Board of distinguished Bahamian Citizens as well as two Canadian Military experts. There were 134 recommendations made in the official report, which remains a "secret" document, as the Minister of National Security refuses to table the results in Parliament. :taped:
In fact, it had been rumoured that a blue panel committee appointed by the government to implement these recommendations have been vigorously searching for a new commodore for the Defence Force. However, reliable sources are now saying that the old commodore has been given two more years. :dgi:
As it has been said that "morale is already at an all time low" at the RBDF, it appears that the political masters believe that the present commodore's two year reprieve cannot do any more "damage". However, it had been said that a majority of marines and officers were looking forward to a "change for the better" and are now demoralized and frustrated by the slow process of implementing the Review Committee's recommendations. :raw:


RELIABLE SOURCES REVEALED THAT A DESCISION HAS BEEN MADE TO "RETIRE" THE PRESENT CAMMANDER DEFENCE FORCE WITH A NEW COMMODORE... :cheers:


GOD SAVE THE QUEEN AND OUR BELOVED BAHAMALAND!!!!!:bahamas:

"Today, in contradistinction to these brave words, we reference the parlous state of this nation’s Royal Bahamas Defence Force. Information reaching us suggests that the Defence Force is mired in a mess."............................. Hmm!

"Today, in contradistinction to these brave words, we reference the parlous state of this nation’s Royal Bahamas Defence Force. Information reaching us suggests that the Defence Force is mired in a mess."............................. Hmm!



GOOD NEWS!!!:sailing: :bahamas:

Defence Force Revitalization Foreshadowed


SEE THE FOLLOWING LINK:

http://www.jonesbahamas.com/?c=45&a=10369

RELIABLE SOURCES REVEALED THAT A DESCISION HAS BEEN MADE TO "RETIRE" THE PRESENT CAMMANDER DEFENCE FORCE WITH A NEW COMMODORE... :cheers:
GOD SAVE THE QUEEN AND OUR BELOVED BAHAMALAND!!!!!:bahamas:

HOW PROPHETIC!!!


New Hope for the Royal Bahams Defence Force...:hammer:

Good save the Queen!

Defence Force Gets New Chief

see the link:

http://www.jonesbahamas.com/?c=45&a=10460

It is a well known fact that the men and women of the RBDF are not allowed to form an association (as the police service), strike, or stage work protest or demonstrations. As they are not civilians, they are subject to the provisions of the Defence Force Act 1987. Therefore, their only collective "voice" is in the ballot boxes, when they exercise their constitutional right to vote in the national elections.
Consequently, it is incumbent upon the political leaders and a "concerned" citizenry to ensure that the Defence Force is given appropriate oversight, a realistic budget, the best leadership, the required number of qualified personnel, proper training and equipment to fight the war on drugs, illegal migration and poaching. :bahamas:

thank God!

It is rather interesting that a recent article in the Tribune gave coverage to the grand opening of the Defence Force Commissary (a store on base where active duty and retired military personnel could purchase food and other items at a considerable discount). Present at this grand opening was the present Commander Defence Force, Commodore Davy Rolle. :cheers:
When asked by a reporter about implementation of the RBDF Review Committee's recommendation, Commodore Rolle kept a stiff upper lip and gave no comments.... It appears that the commodore's only legacy, when he finally "retires", will be that some infrastructural improvements to the Defence Force Facilities were completed under his command.Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm???????????????

That's good enough for me!

Defence Force Gets New Chief[/U]
see the link:
http://www.jonesbahamas.com/?c=45&a=10460

It is now over 100 days since the new Commander Defence Force was presented his instruments of office by the Govenor General... So far, all we can hear in the press is that the new commodore is building a jail at Coral Harbour to incarcerate marines accused of wrong doing, with a view of improving discipline.

However, what is needed is a change in the "culture" of the Defence Force. One can beat a man with a stick relentlesly and he will either conforms because he wants the pain to stop or die from his wombs. But has this beaten man internalised the valules of good military discipline?

The military is a stressful vocation. In fact, the men and women of our Defence Force risk their lives daily as they go to sea and patrol the borders of our archipelago. The sea is an environment not meant for man. Man was was meant to live and work on land. These men and woman return from their patrols, sometimes after spending as much as fifteen days at sea, and have to deal with the same problems as their land-based civilian counterparts.

Now imagine the marine who has been teetering dangerously on the edge of his breaking point for some time now while trying to "keep it together". He has had complaints about job related issues for some time, but his cry has fallen on deaf ears. He fells trapped and powerless.

In a Nassau Guardian article entitled 'Broken-hearted by Your Job' (15 August 2005), by Thea Rutherford, the writer states that the feeling of powerlessness and voicelessness in an orgainisation accounts for many complaints of stress as well as stess-induced ailments.

She further states that according to 'Employee Stress', an article written by David Lee, a consultant on Job Related Stress, most companies do not even realise how much employee stress costs them each year. In fact, research has implicated stress as a factor in 60 -90% of medical problems.

Not only does job-related stess jeopardise employee productivity rates, it also affects the company as a whole. Employee stress contributes to instances of customer service problems, employee violence and stress induced turn-over.

Lee also list absenteeism, as a coping mechanism and worker's compensation claims blaming stress as other costly effects on the company. Stress is also a thief of intellectual capital within the company. Stressed out employees, Lee notes, tends to care less about the quality of their output.

Recognising the value of the your human resoures and their contribution to the job is paramount in a proficient and professional military organisation. "The misson first, but your people always" should be the battle cry!

The lack of recogntion of the inherent value of an indiviudal's contribution can distroy an organisation. Each and every member must feel that he/she is an indispensable, integral part of the organisaton.

The lack of communcation between the leadership and the men and women of an organisation and the desire for a sence of belonging are major factors in employee feelings of hopelessness on the job.

"People tear down themselves and management and the company when they to not feel a sense of belonging". Management as well as the individual employee has a responsiblity to create a work environment that reduces "work related stress" and increases productivity. When this is accomplished then and only then will the true value of military discipline be internalised by its members.

Truth hurts told some hurtful truths.

It's a shame really when you think about the state of affairs for our R.B.D.F. IMHO, ALL governments (PLP - FNM- PLP) are to blame for the gross neglect that the Defence Force has been subject to.

It makes no sense to me at all, to allow our #1 defensive unit to deplete to such a squalid level. I guess no one in governement sat down and thought about how significant the R.B.D.F. is to our country, and economy as a whole.

There is NO respect for the R.B.D.F. and it seems that the Police are getting all of the perks and privledeges. I'm not down-playing the importance of the Police, however, there should be more balance in the way both agencies are managed. And I personally feel that the R.B.D.F. should have a higher level of significance than the Police.

Here's my reasoning:

If someone in Gov. was paying attention 25-30yrs ago, the burden that we are now experiencing on our health and educational system and other areas would not be as severe, if proper measures where taken. This begins with the Defence Force.

1) How much is it costing the Bahamas to educate everyone who's here illegally?

2) How much is it costing the Bahamas to provide health care for people who are here illegally?

3) How much is it costing the Bahamas to repatriate illegals, to find out 3 weeks later that you have to repatriate the same people again?

4) How much money are the Dominicans and other nationals who are poaching in our waters year round are making?

5) How much drugs are filtered into this country due to our sub-standard defensive unit?

6) How many guns are filtered into this country dur to our sub-standard defensive unit?

7) How much has crime escalated over the last 25-30yrs because of these exsisting problems.


I examine this problem like I understand the HIV/AIDS virus. The Defence Force is our Immune System and the listed 1-7 problems represents an aggressive HIV virus proliferating to AIDS status, and if something is not done, and done quickly this country WILL DIE!!! Starting with TOURISM!

Another point.

If you look at the developed countries of this world (U.S., Britian, Japan etc...etc..) whenever their leader is in transit, he is escorted by the MILITARY, not the local police department.

I've never seen George Bush travel w/ the the Broward County Police Department, he's always with secret agents and military personnel. In the Bahamas the PM can not travel unless he have a inspector or high raking officer at his side.

I feel the that PM should travel exclusively w/ Defence Force officers simply because of their military training, and tactics.

In the Bahamas the PM can not travel unless he have a inspector or high raking officer at his side.

And the inspector is only carrying a stick too .. :p

Another point.
If you look at the developed countries of this world (U.S., Britian, Japan etc...etc..) whenever their leader is in transit, he is escorted by the MILITARY, not the local police department.
I've never seen George Bush travel w/ the the Broward County Police Department, he's always with secret agents and military personnel. In the Bahamas the PM can not travel unless he have a inspector or high raking officer at his side.
I feel the that PM should travel exclusively w/ Defence Force officers simply because of their military training, and tactics.


Excellent observation! Let us take this one step further, the Governor General (GG), according to our constitution, is the "Commander-in-Chief" of our Defence Force. We are a constitutional Monarchy, where the GG is our sovereign’s representative. As you well know, Queen Elizabeth II is our head of state and her representative, the GG, is the titular head of the Defence Force. He is entitled to have a senior military officer appointed as his Aide-de-Camp. Protocol demands it!

We must be the laughing stock of the world when we are visited by heads of state and other high government officials and a police honour guard is in place at the airport. In fact, when former Secretary of State, retired General Colin Powell visited the Bahamas, a police honour guard greeted him at the airport. It was said that he quipped, where is your military, don’t you have a Defence Force?

Two other points in regard to this, all commissioned officers, including the Commander Defence Force, Commodore “Butch” Scavella received their commission by the hand of the GG. Have you ever visited Buckingham Palace and saw the Queen in the company of police officers at any official events. The police may be there for crowd control, but a miliary band and a royal guard is responsible for national ceremonial events.

In the hierarchy of protocol, the military takes precedence over a civilian police force. I believe we are probably the only constitutional monarchy in the free world where the police presently take precedence over the ultimate defenders of our nation’s borders, namely, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.

Only the best, well disciplined and well trained Marines should be assigned to Government House as members of the Royal Guard. After all thier primary mission is the safty of our GG and the security of Government house and environs.

Therefore, during the changing of the Guards, only the Defence Force Band should lead the parade of the Royal Guard. Wouldn’t they look grand, with their white uniforms and the British Royal Marines white campaign helmets? I cannot figure out why the government continue to purchase these military helmets for a civilian police service while we have had a standing military for over 25 years. My fellow Bahamians, let's get it right!