‘Army Status’ by 2005 for TT Regiment

IF all goes well the current TT Regiment will achieve “Army Status” by the year 2005. “Already we have four battalions, the First and Second, the Service and  Support and the First Engineer which together with the Regiment headquarters have created the framework for an army, now all we need to do is boost numbers and add another battalion,” Captain Al Alexander, Public Relations Officer of the TT Regiment explained. Alexander said, “With training of new soldiers being accelerated we expect to reach this status by next year end.” Cpt Alexander made this statement to Sunday Newsday at the passing out parade for 232 new inductees with all its pomp and fanfare held at the Tetron Barracks on Friday. This comes just three months after the last similar passing out parade. Another passing out  parade is expected in January next year, to be followed by another a few months later —this the PRO explained was part of the regiment’s plan to make it ready for “full Army Status” by 2005.

In his feature address Minister of National Security Martin Joseph congratulated the new officers on their chosen profession and spoke of his ministry’s plans to assist. Joseph added: “The TT Regiment has surpassed “Regiment Classification,” having already created four battalions and has initiated plans for the establishment of three additional battalions as well as two brigades. This coupled with the expanded roles of the regiment has prompted the Defence Force administration to consider the progression of the regiment to ‘Army Status.’ “Likewise, the TT Coast Guard given similar circumstances is moving towards upgrading its Airwing to an Air Guard. This will entail acquisition of additional assets, manpower and infrastructure upgrade which have the full support of my ministry.” The minister also spoke of plans to create a Reserve Unit within the TT Defence Force which will replace the current Volunteer Defence Force and ultimately result in the formation of a Corps of Retired Defence Force Personnel within the unit, resulting in the transference of  skills and expertise ensuring the young soldiers benefit from the wealth of knowledge of their predecessors.