By Brent Dean ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ brentldean@nasguard.com:
An increase in manpower and a more decentralized leadership structure in the Royal Bahamas Defence Force are some of the changes new Commodore Roderick Bowe sees in the future of the organization he has taken command of.
"Actually the government has agreed to help us to obtain additional assets – they have done so with the aircraft already – and they are looking at procuring another additional 10 vessels. So in that light, I think we are going to need additional personnel which they (the government) have agreed to as well," said Bowe at his first news conference as commodore on Thursday.
Bowe took over from Commodore (Ret.) Clifford Scavella on Thursday. Scavella has accepted the appointment as ambassador to Haiti.
The RBDF celebrates it 30th anniversary in March. The need for increased manpower in the force is, in part, related to the its age. Members of the RBDF who joined at or near its creation are reaching retirement.
"We are at this stage now – at this stage in our careers – where persons would have done 25 years of service, or 30 years of service, and have that opportunity for the first time to move on," Bowe said.
The new commodore said 15 people left the force last week. He did not say the specific number the organization will increase by.
Captain Tellis Bethel has been named the first deputy commander of the RBDF.
Bowe said he intends to "reach out" to Bethel and other senior officers to form an informal executive management team for advice and assistance when necessary.
"At this juncture I think we need to realign, we need to readjust, how the organization is structured," he said.
As one of his initial tasks, Bowe said he intends to set up a project management team to assess the recommendations made in a strategic review of the force in 2005 for the purpose of implementation.
Bowe said another of his first tasks will be the review of the RBDF military justice system to ensure that discipline is maintained in a manner that is fair, transparent and impartial.
He also apologized on Thursday on behalf of the force for the failing of some of its members to live up to acceptable standards of conduct over the years. He pledged to do all within his power to ensure that discipline is maintained within the organization.
"For my part, I commit to doing my very best, with the full support of the men and women of this organization, to ensure that we do not stray from the standards of integrity and professionalism which the government and citizens of this country rightly demand of us as members of a disciplined force," he said.
Saturday January 23, 2010
