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Despite the allegations of sexual misconduct in the BDF, the show went on at the passing out for new recruits today, complete with a parade, musical interludes, and even a mock battle. 

And while some soldiers actually did pass out, as in FAINTED in the afternoon sun, the majority held strong and many were even recognized by the Governor-General with special awards. And the ceremony seemed to make Brigadier General Steven Ortega wax nostalgic about his own intake. 

Brig. Gen. Steven Ortega, Commander, Belize Defence Force
"Well I'm intake 27, so that was a little while ago and I know how this moment feels like when you're out there in the square and coming off and now being the general commanding force, I also feel that same excitement that I did so many years ago because I know how they are feeling right now, to finally graduate and basically become shoulder to shoulder with the other guys who have been doing this job for so many years. So I'm quite sure it's a great feeling for them. Training has to be hard, your training for war."

Reporter
"Sir in terms of training hard, we saw about 4 to 5 recruits faint in the sun today. Is that normal?"

Brig. Gen. Steven Ortega
"They tense, if you stay relaxed you can withstand most of this but I guess the crowd and everything, the hype of graduation. I know when you graduated you know you get that extra hype and it's just too much adrenaline because if you notice most of them after a while, they pick them up, they walked off because they've died down, do the adrenaline has eased off. If you listen to Minister Martinez's speech, he mentioned formation of our 3rd battalion and these are the framework to start that battalion and we definitely need the man power."

The New recruits will form the basis of the Belize Defence Force’s much needed 3rd battalion.