TWENTY-one-year-old Camperdown High School past student, Jeffrey Coletas, is the first to admit that the road to becoming a soldier was not an easy one.

“The training was tough, but if you put your mind to it and show determination you will succeed,” Coletas told the Observer, shortly after he accepted the Best Recruit Award at the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) passing-out parade at the Moneague Training Camp in St Ann last Saturday. The Best Runner-Up Recruit award went to Rec Allen A.

Coletas told the Observer that the most interesting and memorable part of his training was the NBC [Nuclear Biological Chemical].

“It was hectic, but I love challenges so it was a walkover for me. I enjoyed the drilling and love to run,” he added.

The former Boy Scout and budding cricketer was nominated for the Best Recruit Award by the training staff, who recognised him as having displayed the best leadership qualities throughout the intake, and also for attaining and maintaining the highest standard in all areas of the recruit training.

Coletas was also named the Catherine Peak Race Winner, finishing in 29 minutes and 24 seconds. Rec Dawkins M was the runner-up.

Another young recruit who captured the spotlight on Saturday was Potential Officer Marcq Lewin, the only son of Chief of Staff Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin. He walked away with the Best Shooter Award out of a total of 96 recruits from Intake 96. The Best Runner-Up Shot Award went to Rec Edwards S.

The Academic Award winner was Rec Allen B, while the runner-up was Rec White K.

Meanwhile, Squad nine, commanded by Corporal L Dennis, won the Athletic Shield; Squad four, commanded by Corporal W Manning, won the Military Shield. The Champion Squad Award went to Squad seven, commanded by Corporal S Gray.

The awards were handed out by Lewin, who urged the soldiers to utilise and apply their training in a civil manner. He also encouraged them to serve the army with dignity.

Lewin’s words were not lost on Coletas.

Said Coletas: “At this time, having passed out as a soldier, I am looking forward to reaching the highest level possible in the army. The Coast Guard and the Air Wing Unit is where my dreams are; I think I would do well in those areas.”

Training began at the Newcastle Training Camp on August 20. The recruits received training in weapon handling, map reading, drill, first aid, field craft and military tactics over 14 weeks, with the objective of transforming them from civilians into trained military professionals who could be easily integrated into the regular force.

Training Officer Lieutenant MBE Stewart, in an address to the soldiers, urged them to set “the challenges” of present-day Jamaica without fear or favour. He encouraged them to keep the core values of the JDF – ‘courage, commitment, honour, integrity, loyalty and discipline’ – forever embedded in their hearts.

The passing-out parade was witnessed by relatives and friends and other dignitaries.