Woman marine named RBDF Headquarters Marine of the Year

Woman marine named RBDF Headquarters Marine of the Year
Leading Woman Marine Arlene Mackey receives the RBDF Headquarters Marine of the Year award from Commodore Raymond King on December 11, 2020 at Defence Headquarters, John F Kennedy Drive. (RBDF PHOTOS: ABLE SEAMAN FREDRICK RUSSELL)

Two other woman marines also awarded

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Leading Woman Marine Arlene Mackey was recognized as Marine of the Year for the Headquarters Department on December 11, 2020, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RDBF) announced today.

Mackey, a 16-year-veteran, according to an RBDF statement, was presented with a plaque and other awards from Commodore Dr Raymond King during a luncheon reception at the RBDF Headquarters on John F Kennedy Drive.

Woman Marine Terrell Johnson receives the RBDF Headquarters Marine Seaman Award.
Able Woman Marine Tara Coleby receives the RBDF Headquarters Able Rate Award.

“Also receiving awards were Able Woman Marine Tara Coleby and Woman Marine Terrell Johnson, who were overall winners in their respective rates,” the statement read.

“Leading Woman Mackey, a member of the Accounts section, was chosen from a pool of marines assigned to the Headquarters Unit for outstanding and dedicated services throughout the year. She was both humbled and surprised [by] the award, and thanked her comrades for helping her with this achievement in her career.

“As the Royal Bahamas Defence Force continues to encompass duties that call for a career of sacrifice, the organization says ‘Bravo Zulu’ to all officers and marines who continue to guard the territorial integrity of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.”

Also in attendance during that luncheon were the permanent secretary in the Ministry of National Security and the first five Bahamian commanders defence force.

The awards were “in keeping with King’s strategic intent of developing a professional and high- performance workforce focused on excellence and succession planning”, the RBDF said.