115 New Soldiers Join BDF Ranks as Intake 67 Completes Training

Today, the Belize Defense Force added one hundred and fifteen soldiers to its rank and file. This afternoon, government dignitaries and families of the recruits were gathered at the Sir Colville Young Parade Square at Price Barracks in Ladyville for the passing out of intake sixty-seven. The intake consisted of 12 females and 103 males, who spent the last 4 months undergoing rigorous training. It is the second cohort of soldiers since the force increased its educational requirements. BDF Commander Brigadier General Azariel Loria says the change may have impacted the application numbers and explained that measures are being taken to increase next year’s figures. 

Azariel Loria, BDF Commander Brigadier General: “We started with 120 but as time went by, the weeks passed by, some of the participants started to drop out and we had to work the standby list. All in all I think that about three hundred or so got called and this is the result, 115. We were slated to pass out 120 but out of the 120 five were injured and so far 115 made it and our congratulation to them. They are brand new private soldiers now. There are a number of factors. What we have been trying for the past two years, this is the second intake in which we have changed the qualifications or the criteria for the participants to come and join the ranks. We upped the educational qualification. We are no longer asking for a primary school diploma, we’re asking for a high school diploma. The soldiers the recruits they assimilated the material very quickly but there are some aspects in which they couldn’t perform that well in which was the physical. Ankle injuries, knee injuries, and sometimes back injuries. But all in all that was the struggle. It was minor injuries. We are under strength. We have been given authority to recruit 120 recruits for the next five or seven years and so far we have only recruited 240 recruits so we have quite a bit more to go and perhaps next year we will see how we can convince the government to give us another intake or perhaps an intake of more than 120 soldiers.”

As the keynote speaker, Minister of Labour, Local Government, and Rural Transformation Oscar Requena welcomed the recruits and thanked them for taking up the challenge of protecting the nation. 

Oscar Requena, Minister of Local Government and Labour: “Today at the passing out parade of recruit intake number 67 we celebrate not only your achievements but also the dedication and sacrifices each of you has made to become a part of the Belize Defence Force. The journey of recruit intake number 67 began on June 30, 2024 and today it reaches its culmination. Today November 1, 2024. Over the past months your training has been very demanding designed to bring out the very best in you. Transforming civilians into soldiers of strength, resilience and professionalism. Out of the 220 recruits who set out on this journey 115 stand proudly here today having met the challenges head on and earned their place. Congratulations to you ! To you, our new soldiers, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on the path that brought you here today. The early mornings, the long days, and every mental and physical challenge you conquered.”

The recruits will be deployed across the country.