The Tribune

AFTER nearly three months of rigorous military training, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force’s best female recruit, Victicia Rollins, has credited The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute with helping her pass what was an arduous experience.

Rollins, 24, who graduated from BTVI in 2010 with a certificate in computer repair, said what she learned at the institute even helped her with the initial interview.

“During the interview, I started to have an anxiety attack in front of the six officers, but I remembered what one of my instructors, Mr (Craig) Albury taught me. He told me to ‘take it slow and breathe slowly’. He helped me with my anxiety while speaking publicly to the class during a business plan presentation. I used to have severe anxiety. BTVI helped to boost my confidence,” she said.

Training for the 83 recruits, nine of whom were females, started in early February and finished on May 2. The programme’s curriculum included subjects such as navigation, seamanship, small arms, first aid, firefighting and communications. Mathematics and English were some of the academic subjects covered and the demanding Swedish physical fitness training and swimming comprised the bulk of the fitness programme.

Rollins, a member of woman entry 21, said she learned invaluable leadership skills at BTVI and had to use them while in training.

“While in the computer course at BTVI, I was in charge of a group of eight and I had to deal with varying personalities; it was challenging. While at the base I was captain of the squad for a day and just as I had to tell my team at BTVI to fix a part of a computer, I had to sometimes tell a recruit to clean an area or square off an area. I had to stand my ground.”

It was at BTVI where Rollins said her discipline was put to the test with 8am classes. However, she later considered that pale in comparison to the early morning routines at RBDF’s Coral Harbour base.

“They would get us up at 4 o’clock in the morning to exercise, run four miles, 12 miles, eight miles, pushups, sit ups, etc. It was easy to give up. I had to push myself. It was up to me. The fourth day I was ready to give up but my family, including my parents and godson, kept me going. They are the glue to my life and I ended up graduating on top,” she said with pride.

Reflecting on the award she received for her leadership skills, positive attitude, physical aptitude and exam results, Rollins said although she is honoured, simply graduating was most rewarding.

She had just started her Associate of Applied Science degree in Office Administration in January before being called into training but aims to make time to complete her degree.

Rollins said BTVI has been a stepping stone for her and she is not finished yet. “Going to BTVI made me feel I was doing something constructive with my life. It showed me I can accomplish my dreams. The instructors motivated me like Mr O’Glen Johnson and Mr Anthony Ramtulla; they were hands-on and really helped me to go after my dreams,” she said.