Lieutenant Colonel John Mohanlall has become the first Guyana Defence Force (GDF) officer to graduate from the United States (US) Army War College Resident Education Programme. The GDF announced the achievement on Sunday, extending congratulations to Lieutenant Colonel Mohanlall on the successful completion of the programme. Upon completion, Mohanlall was awarded a Master of Strategic Studies degree and designated a Senior Service College Graduate. The programme, conducted at Carlisle Barracks in Pennsylvania, provides advanced professional military education at the strategic level and prepares senior military officers, Government officials and international fellows for leadership, command and advisory responsibilities. During the programme, Mohanlall completed graduate-level coursework and strategic research covering national security, military research, defence management, joint operations and international affairs. His studies also focused on complex national, regional and global security challenges.

The GDF said the qualification adds to its pool of officers with advanced strategic expertise and will contribute to the Force’s work in strategic planning, defence management and institutional development. It noted that the knowledge, analytical skills and professional relationships gained through the programme will strengthen the Force’s capacity to address evolving defence and security challenges. Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Omar Khan, MSS, along with officers and ranks of the GDF, commended Mohanlall for the achievement and extended best wishes for his continued service to the Force. The GDF said the development of strategic expertise remains important as Guyana’s national security environment continues to evolve, with Mohanlall’s qualification strengthening the senior leadership capacity of the Force.