recruiting to do what? What do they do? why do we need 500 more people on the defense force? that is 500 more salaries, benefits and pension plans for our debt. do they prevent illegals from entering the Bahamas? what do they do to justify hiring this many people?

... its a great pre-election move to secure votes and a way to reduce unemployment numbers on the taxpayers dime!

They will be ready when government pushes the populous too far and needs to have its soldiers keep the population at bay.

500 more from an failed education system with a D average for passing, give them a quick training course and access to firearms

'"Through joint operations with national and regional partners, there was an increase with migrant arrests by 33 percent. Illicit drug arrests surpassed 2018 figures by 50 percent. Illegal firearms arrests...."'

Clearly the broadcasting of "migrants arrests" seems to be the very soft govt policy of the continuing the endless cycle of human trafficking

'"Through joint operations with national and regional partners, there was an increase with migrant arrests by 33 percent. Illicit drug arrests surpassed 2018 figures by 50 percent. Illegal firearms arrests...."'

Clearly the broadcasting of "migrants arrests" seems to be the very soft govt policy of the continuing the endless cycle of human trafficking. This terrible human crime is ILLEGAL these are not migrants arrested..they are ILLEGAL MIGRANTS BREAKING THE CLEARLY OUTLINED LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS.....these persons must be clearly informed that they have broken the laws of this sovereign nation !!!!

We all know what's going on here.....Socialist 'Candy Man' Minnis robbing Peter to pay Paul in a desperate effort to buy votes because the economic, national security and social policies of the corrupt and most incompetent Minnis-led FNM government have failed and even oppressed the Bahamian people.

Nothing better than **jobs (paycheques) evidence** that the comrade Imperialists reds thirst for rungin general election bell - way ahead its 5 year electoral mandate - must be taken seriously by any comrades thinking through how best offer voters a potential and credible opposition alternative to whomever the Imperialists reds musters together to contest as the red party's unfortunate of the 39 or so souls - still be named as general election candidates.The colony's chief executive comrade, may yet select test mood voters by calling a byelection - and two highly potential red shirts 2017 won constituencies and to become the **two sacrificial red shirts MP's** are pushing at very forefront me mind? **The first of 500 of 20,000 promised new paycheques - just 19,500 more to join colony's government's PopuulacesPurse's - done overcrowded payroll?** Can' write that if comrade Marvin didn't exist as security minister, you'd would've have wrote him into Imperialists script of characters.Just, **can't.**

It is obvious that none of you above commenters realize the technical and intricate manpower requirements of a growing naval organization with a military commando component which has a mandate to do the job of other countries Army, Navy, Marines and Air survailance. I am sure the commodore can justify his annual manpower needs assessments for the RBDF which also has a high turnover and early retirements rate and is now required to man expanded bases in Ragged island and Inagua along with expanded assistance to Grand Bahama and Abaco after Dorian.. .

It is not a matter of justification ………. it is a matter of efficiency & effectiveness ……… That is what really concerns most Bahamians with our Police & DF ……. We have almost 6,000 total officers now, with 80% of the population on ONE tiny island and we have too much slackness now. Imagine just having more of the same.

Part of the manpower needed is as the result of the high turnover and early retirement seems to be a problem in the effectiveness of any force. Problem seems to lie in the top not recognizing what is happening. Lots of manhours, training recruits, skills to fill the Force and having to repeatedly do so subtracts from money and training for Force to go even higher on a more stable core.

Agreed Bogart. If the RBDF could have lowered its attrition rate from inception, that organization would have easily exceeded the 5000 personnel figure today.

10th May, 1980 coming up soon, anniversary date, a most sad day in the history of the nation when the Bahamas Defence Force boat Flamingo was visciously attacked by the wicked evil Communist Cuba Migs Air attack planes entering illegally into sovereign Bahamian territory and attacking RBDF Flamingo boat. And then gunning down our brothers swimming to survive in the Bahamian waters.

There must be a National Day of Rememberance for our brothers who died and every officer on board in duty of our protection of our sovereign territory. This must be a National Honour of our brothers and sisters who enlist for our nation.!!! This must have every single citizen and resident give recognition to the officers of the nation protection and defence of our sovereign Bahamas nation. Must be honour, sad but fiercely uplifting speeches for our brothers and sisters. The past slmost quietly ceremony must blossom forth NATIONALLY for this event.!!!

The Flamingo incident caused me to Join the RBDF one year later. I served for five years from 1981.

THANK YOU!!! realityckech242 for your service to the Nation.

if the force is a disgrace now with a few good officers then it will soon be even more so to the tune of another 500. Any provision going to be made for the 30 to 40 years of retirement pay that the government will have to pay them.