Advanced Training Ensures Seamless Coast Guard Leadership

As Rear Admiral Elton Bennett takes on his new role as CEO of the Ministry of Home Affairs, some are asking, what does this mean for leadership at the Belize Coast Guard? Well, Bennett says there’s no need to worry. Succession planning has been a top priority, and senior officers, including the Vice Commandant, have already received advanced training abroad to ensure a smooth transition and strong leadership moving forward.

 

Rear Admiral Elton Bennett, C.E.O., Ministry of Home Affairs

“ So that announcement will have to be made by the Ministry of National Defense and Border Security. What I can tell you is that the succession planning in the Belize Coast Guard is very deep. As a leader, I was charged with ensuring that consideration was given to succession planning, and we did that very well. Not only the deputy was prepared for higher office, but the senior staff over the past year and a half had all had the opportunity to go overseas to do senior staff colleges. So we made an investment two years ago to start to prepare people for higher offices, and that was executed flawlessly. As you’re aware the Vice Commandant Captain Soberanis went away for one year studies at the National Defense University in the United States, and he came back during the summer period this year. So our succession planning was a part of our routine to ensure that officers can be elevated and they’re prepared for their next assignment.”