Chief of Defence Staff (Jamaica) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chief of Defence Staff
Incumbent Rear Admiral Antonette Wemyss Gorman since 21 January 2022
Appointer	Prime Minister
Formation	31 July 1962
First holder	Paul Edwin Crook [de]

The Chief of Defence Staff is the most important military leader in Jamaica. This person is in charge of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF). They make sure the Jamaican military is well-managed and ready for action. It is the highest military job in the country.

Leaders of Jamaica's Military

The role of the top military leader in Jamaica has changed names over the years. First, it was called the Chief of Staff. Later, it became the Chief of Defence Staff.

Chiefs of Staff (1962–2007)

From 1962 to 2007, the main military leader was known as the Chief of Staff. Here are the people who held this important position:

No.	Picture	Chief of Staff	Took office	Left office	Time in office	Ref
1		Crook, PaulBrigadier Paul Edwin Crook [de] (1915–2004)	31 July 1962	1965	2–3 years
2		Smith, DavidBrigadier David Hartman Smith	1965	1973	7–8 years
3		Robinson, DunstanBrigadier Dunstan Fitzgerald Robinson (born 1944)	1973	1973	0 years
4		Green, RudolphMajor General Rudolph Edward George Green	1973	1979	5–6 years
5		Neish, RobertMajor General Robert James Neish	1979	1990	10–11 years
6		Brady, PeterRear Admiral Peter Lorenzo Brady	1990	1998	7–8 years
7		Simmonds, JohnMajor General John I Simmonds	1998	2002	3–4 years
8		Lewin, HardleyRear Admiral Hardley M Lewin	2002	2007	4–5 years
9		Saunders, StewartMajor General Stewart Emerson Saunders	2007	2007	0 years

In December 2007, the name of the position changed. It became the Chief of Defence Staff.

Chiefs of Defence Staff (2008–Present)

Since 2008, the top military leader in Jamaica has been called the Chief of Defence Staff. Here are the people who have held this title:

No.	Picture	Chief of Defence Staff	Took office	Left office	Time in office	Ref
1		Saunders, StewartMajor General Stewart Emerson Saunders	2008	9 October 2010	1–2 years
2		Anderson, AntonyMajor General Antony Bertram Anderson	9 October 2010	1 December 2016	6 years
3		Meade, RockyLieutenant General Rocky Ricardo Meade (born 1963)	1 December 2016	21 January 2022	8 years
4		Wemyss Gorman, AntonetteRear Admiral Antonette Wemyss Gorman (born 1972/1973)	21 January 2022	Incumbent	3 years