Eighteen-year-old Officer Cadet Fianna Maria Tading has become the first woman in the history of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to be selected for training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom.
The GDF announced Tading’s selection while also reporting that Lieutenant Colonel Eon Murray had completed the 46-week Advanced Command and Staff Course at the United Kingdom Defence Academy.
Tading, who is five months into the Standard Officer’s Course Number 58, is originally from Moruca, Region One, and now resides at Strathspey, East Coast Demerara. She completed her secondary education at Bladen Hall Multilateral School.
According to the GDF, her interest in military service developed after a teacher recognised her potential and encouraged her to apply for officer training.
“Life was a bit tough for us growing up, and I always wanted a better future for myself and my sisters. When I learnt how challenging the officer course was, I decided that it was a challenge I wanted to take on,” Tading was quoted as saying.
After completing the initial assessments for potential officer cadets, Tading began training on the Standard Officer Course. The GDF said her performance during the first five months led to her consideration and eventual selection for Sandhurst.
Tading described the opportunity as unexpected but said she intended to make full use of the training.
“I intend to give my best, learn as much as I can and return better prepared to serve the GDF and share what I have learnt,” she said.
She credited her sisters, particularly her older sister, Jarilene Henry, whom she described as her “rock and constant support”. Tading said she hoped her selection would encourage other young Guyanese, especially women, to consider careers in the military.
Meanwhile, the GDF said Murray successfully completed the Advanced Command and Staff Course Number 29 alongside military officers, civilians and international participants from 47 countries, including Albania, Canada and Saudi Arabia.
The post-graduate programme prepares military officers and civilian participants for senior appointments in the defence and security sectors. It covered operational art, strategy, leadership, staff work and defence management, along with joint and inter-agency coordination, ethics and accountability.
As part of the academic component, delivered in collaboration with King’s College London, Murray earned a Master of Arts in Defence Studies, focusing on global international affairs.
Murray previously served as Commanding Officer of the GDF Training Corps and as Adjutant General. He also holds an undergraduate degree in Public Management from the University of Guyana and a postgraduate degree in Leadership and Innovation from the University of Edinburgh.
The GDF said Murray’s training would support its work in policy development, modernisation, command and staff functions, and professional military education.
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