Belize Coast Guard welcomes forty-nine new recruits under Intake Number 12

The Belize Coast Guard today celebrated the graduation of Intake Number Twelve, welcoming forty-nine new recruits into the organization following months of rigorous military and maritime training. The passing out parade brought together family members, senior government officials, security personnel, and international partners as the newest group of Coast Guard officers officially joined the ranks of the organization.  Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard, Rear Admiral Greg Soberanis, described the graduation as another important milestone for the institution and credited both the Government of Belize and the British Army Support Unit Belize, BATSUB, for their continued support in strengthening the Coast Guard’s training capacity and operational readiness.  The commandant also outlined the intensive training recruits undergo before earning the right to serve as Coast Guard officers. According to the Commandant, the program includes physical conditioning, military discipline, seamanship, and national security procedures. 

Gregory Soberanis, Commandant, Belize Coast Guard: “The training is a 12 weeks training, very intense. It is designed for you to go through what we call the forge. It really breaks down that civilian mindset and what we do is that we begin to, from week one, we begin to build within you that military discipline, that desire where you are able to receive commands and be able to build character, a higher level of character within these individuals who in the end will serve the national interests for the country of Belize. So it’s a 12 weeks program like I mentioned and it’s done in phases and you go through the first two weeks is heavily intense and thereafter you begin to learn drill, you begin to learn the military routines and how we conduct operations here in the Belize Coast Guard within our maritime space. So it’s quite intense, it’s quite rigorous but at the end of the day we get maritime guardians, at the end of the day we end up with maritime warriors who can effectively and efficiently serve the maritime interests for the country.”

Several new recruits Zulmi Oh, Daniel Lopez, and Sumrit Sean reflected on the sacrifices, discipline, and determination required to successfully complete the program and expressed pride in now being able to serve their country as members of the Belize Coast Guard.

Zulmi Oh, Belize Coast Guard Recruit: “This is a proud moment and I will use this and I will show discipline and you know how that I am a strong individual now. I want to finish my associates and then try to get a higher rank.”

Daniel Lopez,  Belize Coast Guard Recruit: “The toughest part that I found tough about training was having to get up early every morning from about 3:30 sometimes 4:00 in the morning and you know you gotta do what you gotta do when it comes to the PDI. Petty Officer Class 2 Davis and Seaman Dawson they were the one who kept us early morning also not only that but physically fit.”

Somrit Sean, Belize Coast Guard Recruit: “My goals set in the Belize Coast Guard is to serve the country and to gain more respect and be a different character personality and also to have courage and commitment to the Belize Coast Guard.”

Today’s graduation comes as the Belize Coast Guard continues expanding its role in maritime security, anti-trafficking operations, fisheries protection, and search and rescue missions across Belize’s territorial waters.