New unit in Defence Force to deal with relationship problems

WITH its ever growing list of reports and/or allegations of romantic relationships between senior and junior officers, the TT Defence Force has formed a new unit to deal with the problem. The unit, labelled “The Plans, Doctrines, Policy and Project Unit” (PDPPU) is  headed by former aide de camp to former president Arthur NR Robinson and former head of the Civilian Conservation Corps, Major Phillip Spencer. It was formed last year, but got going only yesterday. The unit is one of  several bodies formed within the Defence Force in the last two years to deal with rising challenges and problems.

In an interview yesterday, Bridgadier Ancil Antoine, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) admitted that within the last two years several challenges had crept into the military.  He cited the fraternising of officers of different ranks, the input of spouses of officers in the army, psychological and psychiatric treatment for officers, retaining a chaplain, a doctor, and other professionals being some of the challenges. “The army is a two tiered system and it is important that we put things in place to deal with that. Because of this we have not only created the PDPPU but have also created the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Family Support Team (TTDFFST).This team is made up of spouses of the officers who make recommendations and suggestions to the hierachy for the comfort of their mates  providing the opportunity for families to work together.

“These suggestions and recommendations are collected, looked at and accepted in part or whole or restructured if necessary and then enforced. The most recent being our annual children’s Christmas party and the first one of its kind that was held in Tobago last year.” The Brigadier made these statements to Newsday at a Team Building Workshop held at the Ministry of National Security’s head office, Temple Court, Abercromby Street, Port-of-Spain yesterday morning under the auspices of the TTDFFSU. Consultant Nieve Smith Thomas was the moderator for the session. The TTDFFSU was created three years ago following an Armies of the Americas conference in Chile attended by then CDS John Sandy who, after realising all was not right in the local military and what the creation of this agency has done for armies in different countries directed Lieutenant Colonel Roland Maundy to conduct a study of the lives of TTDF officers. Following the study the TTDFFST was set up by Brigadier Antoine.

The Brigadier also alluded to the fact that they have recognised the issue of officers getting frequent mental and physical breakdowns. To address this, besides the availability of an on-call psychiatrist  and psychologist, they have also created “a sick call” where the health of officers is checked daily. He added that proper training for all officers to deal with the increasing stress of the job is a main focus. The Interagency Task Force, the training  and the work of his officers also came in for high praise.