HATIAn NATIONALs FTO Pilot program
In October 2022, BOURGONE SYSTEMS INC. CEO received a phone call from Ervino Myles, the consultant for the Prime Minister of The Dominican Republic. He had been in a series of negotiations between the Dominican Republic and Haiti Officials to launch a FTO (Field Training Officer) pilot program. This would include funding a U.S. business to hire U.S. veterans to be a cadre of facilitators to mentor, train and guide a select group of Haitian Nationals who desired to learn the basics of American security fundamentals. The six month training was to convene at the CODEVI compound in the Northwestern Providence of Dajabon, Dominica’.
Bourgone Systems Inc. was one of the US businesses considered and eventually partnered with CODEVI and d’Haiti to take on this unique opportunity. After much thought, meditation and prayer, Bourgone Systems Inc. and the other entities produced a MOU, Service Contract Agreement, and NDA to be reviewed and signed. Not long after, Ervino Myles contacted referred U.S. Veterans and others he professionally worked with while at Homeland Security. November 2022 is when the FTO program started with the first fifteen U.S. Veterans housed and accommodated at the CODEVI compound.
Additionally, d’ Haitian Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, and Mr. Myles personally interviewed and screened each recruit candidate from Haiti. Recruitment was based on interest and desire to positively impact their families, communities and country. Within one week, there were over eighty young adult and middle-aged Haitian Nationals who would be part of making history. This group would be known as the 11-22 Class, denoting the month and year of their training.
After Bourgone CEO, Stinson Brown, visited Dominican Republic for the first-time late November 2022 to meet the training cadre and recruit’s, he had no doubt in his mind this was indeed a divine assignment. All doubts and apprehensions had dissolved.
During my first visit I met with CODEVI owners Fernando Capellan and Joseph Blumberg. Their managers guided me on a tour of their compound. Approximately 20,000 Haitian Nationals are employed working in about eight factories producing a variety of apparel and other products. Even more, a restaurant, bar and lounge area are located adjacent to their lodging units. I also observed a few security posts which could use some leveling-up in appearance, decorum and situational awareness. This would require a collective effort.
The U.S. Veterans provided no less than excellent training and oversight of the pilot program. Periodically, it was necessary to perform ancillary duties; including perimeter patrol, fighting structural fires and tending to the recruit’s minor medical needs. They also went beyond the call of duty identifying living quarters (barracks) for the Haitian Recruits, and connecting water for showers and bathroom facilities. Later, barracks were provided for the small number of female recruits who also had bunk beds, showers and bathrooms. None of this would had been possible without the support of Dominican Republic and d’ Haiti interest.
Once a graduation date had been scheduled for April 20, 2023, I returned to The Dominican Republic, Dajabon Providence to officiate the graduation ceremony. Fifty-two graduates would be marched onto an open field to receive their certificates in front of their families, CODEVI Staff, and Haitian VIP’s and leaders. This will be an experience I will never forget! As the CEO of this company, I am humbled that my company was afforded the opportunity to make a small difference in an unstable Caribbean country.
