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When the BDF was created in 1978 - this country's security situation very different from the present day: Belize was a young nation struggling to gain recognition against the territorial claim of a bellicose and bullish Guatemala. Now, that modern chauvinism has morphed into post modern confidence building – and instead of zealously guarding our borders, the BDF jointly patrols it with their Guatemalan counterparts – and instead of ejecting poachers and squatters – their cases are taken to the OAS Adjacency Office for adjudication.

Like it or lament it, that is the current state of play, and the fact is you're more likely to find a rough and ready BDF soldier manning a city hotspot, or hammering zinc on a post hurricane hovel than you are to find him warding off settlers west of Jalacte. But, while some may fuss about it – few remark on the easy transition that this professional force has made – from jungle brothers to disaster first responders and uber-cops.

And that's the news of the BDF at 30 - a fighting force that's capable of jungle warfare but often used to keep the peace in urban war zones. Jacqueline Godwin found out more at an anniversary event at the Price Barracks today.

Jacqueline Godwin Reporting,
Today's official ceremony was held to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the Belize Defence Force that was formed on January first, 1978 to preserve the territorial integrity of the country. Especially at a time when situations were very tense between Belize and Guatemala

Sir Colville Young, Governor General of Belize
"Only month before Belize had been at the brink of an arm conflict with Guatemala. The infant BDF stepped into that precarious time to prepare for their role in the defense for our country's independence and territorial integrity along with the British military presence. All that the Belize Defence Force has achieved in its thirtieth year of existence, all the Belize has become in her twenty sixth years of independence our new industry and jobs. Our new houses and roads our new skills and quality of life advancements."

But all these accomplishments says the governor general stand in the shadow of Guatemala's unfounded claim to Belize. A claim Sir Colville Young says is now ours to end. But the GG says BDF's continued positive engagement with their counter parts along the western border has helped to maintain peace between both countries.

Sir Colville Young, "In a reduction in the violence in the border area. It has also contributed to the peaceful removal of the illegal village of Santa Rosa from Belizean territory. I understand that a second of the removal of the village will take place on Monday."

The final phase of the removal is scheduled later this month.

Today there are just under one thousand BDF soldiers standing shoulder to shoulder. The men and women who have taken on the ultimate commitment to defend Belize may never get to fight any bloody battles in their lifetime but they have been vigilant at home in their attack against other forces infiltrating our water ways, air space and neighborhoods.

Sir Colville Young,
"A part from its regular duties including border patrols, confidence building measures with Guatemalan army and involvement in the anti drug and anti contraband activities members of the Belize Defence Force perform a civic by assisting the police to curtail crime and violence. This is probably the single most pressing concern in Belize today. It must be confronted as a family issue, a neighborhood issue, a community, and a national security issue. Crime and violence, crime in particular, strikes at the very heart of our society."

The soldiers were lauded for their hard work, effort, discipline, commitment and patriotism. A number of soldiers however were recognized for their years of service and awarded them with medals of good conduct. We do not know how much longer our military men and women will remain under the command of Brigadier General Lloyd Gillett who was not yesterday to give us an answer only to say that he is proud of them and the growing respect of the public to the BDF.

Brigadier General Lloyd Gillett, BDF Commander
"They have seen the BDF helping to maintain law and order, security, stability and prosperity in the country. In fact I think BDF now is a part of the infrastructure for economic development of the country. We gave trained a lot of people who've left the BDF and are now working in the private enterprises. We have a lot of young people that are being trained abroad that will bring back valuable skills that will then contribute to the economic development of Belize."

Commander Gillett's diplomatic approach to service has resulted in a consistent support of international assistance to the BDF.

Brig. Gen. Lloyd Gillett, "What we've tried to do over the last couple years is to inform these other countries that the more that we can strengthen the security of Belize City the more we contribute to their security and to the security of the region. And I think that they have seen in the BDF a force that is dedicated, committed to ensuring that Belize is safe from all who might want to cause us harm and cause them harm.

I think from the inception, the BDF has had contributions from many countries around the world. Britain was quite instrumental and over the years they have given us quite a lot of material. Recently we've been getting material from the United States and other countries. We have to continue to always make the BDF an attractive place for young people to come and serve. As Belize develops economically, a lot of people will be getting higher paid jobs in other sectors of the economy and we need to try and attract these young bright minds so that we have the intelligence infrastructure to take the BDF to the next level."

Ad if you would like to see what the Belize Defence Force has to offer, you can visit the soldiers at Price Barracks in Ladyville over the weekend. That is when the BDF will hold its annual two day fair. Jacqueline Godwin for 7NEWS.

If you want to go to the fair, busses will leave Belize City every half hour to Price Barracks in Ladyville starting at 9:00.