The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Colonel Ulric Pilgrim Officer Cadet School (CUPOCS) has commenced training for its 57th Standard Officer Course (SOC), a cornerstone programme designed to produce officers capable of leading and administering platoons while upholding the Force’s core values and standards. Since its commencement on January 29, SOC 57 has progressed into its eleventh week. The cadets have successfully completed the demanding Regimentation Phase—a transformative stage that tests their discipline, endurance, and commitment.
From the original cohort of 44 Officer Cadets, 26 have remained resolute in their journey toward officership. Among them are representatives from partner regional and national institutions, including three from the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force, two from the Belize Defence Force, three one from the Guyana Police Force, and two from the Guyana Fire Service. The remaining Cadets are from the Guyana Defence Force.
Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, MSS, at yesterday’s opening ceremony congratulated the group for reaching this significant stage in their training. Reflecting on his own experience as an Officer Cadet over three decades ago, he reminded them that they are now deserving of the honour of wearing the GDF uniform. Brigadier Khan drew a powerful analogy between officer training and the process of building a house from the ground up, noting that this journey is about constructing new leaders—not patching old habits. He told the cadets that the evolving nature of modern warfare requires more than tactical competence; it demands officers who are versatile, technologically astute, and intellectually agile. In an age where cyber threats, misinformation, and asymmetric warfare dominate the strategic landscape, he emphasized the necessity for officers to embrace technology not merely as a tool, but as a vital dimension of modern military operations.
Brigadier Khan also underscored the importance of being adaptive leaders, lifelong learners, and effective managers of people. While the training course focuses on technical and tactical development, it is the GDF’s Values and Standards—duty, discipline, identity, integrity, and loyalty—that remain the enduring foundation of military service. These principles, he said, must not only be memorised, but lived through every choice and challenge.
Commanding Officer of the Training Corps, Lieutenant Colonel Dominic Shepherd, encouraged the cadets to seize every moment of the course with energy and resolve. He reminded them that challenges are not obstacles, but stepping stones in their personal and professional development. He also extended gratitude to the instructors who continue to shape cadets into tomorrow’s leaders through their mentorship, discipline, and commitment.
Officer Commanding Major Kareem Graham announced the introduction of the Training Singularity Project (TSP) to enhance the GDF’s data-driven training. TSP aims to develop Four Dimensional (4D) officers—Bureaucrat, Operator, Administrator, and Technocrat—by expanding skills on SOC #57 through the Training Reform Assessment Project (TRAP). Graduates will take C3 and staff roles to identify performance gaps, update the syllabus, and continue learning via the Continued Military Education (CME) initiative.
Additionally, Second Lieutenant Princess Mc Pherson, a graduate of SOC #54, has made history as the first female to serve as Principal Instructor at CUPOCS. In this groundbreaking role, she is proudly helping to shape the future commanders of the Force.
As Headquarters CUPOCS continues to guide the mental and moral preparation of the cadets, the SOC 57 cohort stands as a testament to the GDF’s dedication to excellence in leadership training. With a renewed focus on values, innovation, and strategic foresight, these future officers are being forged not only to meet the challenges of today, but to lead confidently into the demands of tomorrow.
