Brig. Gen. David Jones, Commander, Belize Defence Force
"Today we are having most of the representatives of the different formations of the BDF on parade, but the most important thing is the day we are reflecting on the 37 years in existence since the formation of the Belize Volunteer Guard and the Volunteer Force into the Belize Defence Force which occurred on the 31st of January 1978. The recruits are going to pass out today. We've had over 100 candidates who took the selection board. The selection exam has been over 17 weeks now, finally today is the day they complete training and I am sure they are looking forward to this day because they are now trained soldiers after this parade. So, we have 83 of them. Including in those 83 are 4 officer cadets, who are potential officers that will be sent out later on to do course to become officers in the Belize Defence Force."

The open day happens tomorrow and the public is invited to have a look at a variety of displays from the various formations.

And while the Force is celebrating 37 years, it's also recovering from a bruising breach of security. Over 2,500 rounds of ammunition were stolen from one of their ammunition stores and today our colleague from LOVE FM asked Cornel Shepherd what they've learned one week after the discovery of mass theft:

Lt. Col. Raymond Shepherd, Chief of Staff - BDF
"Our investigations thus far has revealed that our systems and procedures are robust, but it is the personnel that is supposed to safeguard those systems and procedures, that has failed us, by not adhering to the procedures that were set in place and because of that several people will face military discipline in the form or charges."

Reporter
"Now, in terms of the recovery of the missing ammunition, has there been any kind of leads to say where those might be right now or?"

Lt. Col. Raymond Shepherd, Chief of Staff - BDF
"Not that I will be able to say at this moment because the investigation is still ongoing and I wouldn't to say anything that would jeopardize that investigation."

Reporter
"As it pertains to news coming to our center of two soldiers actually being detained after a bullet proof and a magazine being found in their dorm, can you comment on that?"

Lt. Col. Raymond Shepherd, Chief of Staff - BDF
"Yes, there was in fact the detention of two soldiers. Both of them are Lance Corporal. They were detained on Wednesday and this is a part of the ongoing investigation, where we got information and we conducted a search of the accommodation that they occupied and in that accommodation we found a bullet proof vest and a magazine for a M16 rifle. As a result, they were handed over to the police department with the view of them being charged criminally for those offence."

Additionally, one sergeant who was a part of the 14 person team securing the ammunition's store has been arrested and remanded on an unrelated firearms charge.