Jamaica Defence Force facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jamaica Defence Force
Jamaica Defence Force badge
Established	31 July 1962; 62 years ago (1962-07-31)
Parts	The Jamaica Regiment Maritime, Air and Cyber Command Support Brigade Caribbean Military Academy Jamaica National Reserve
Headquarters	Up Park Camp, Kingston, Jamaica
Leadership
Commander-in-chief	King Charles III
Minister of National Security	Horace Chang
Chief of Defence Staff	Rear Admiral Antonette Wemyss Gorman
Serving soldiers
Military age	16 years of age for selection process, 17 years of age is actual serving age (as of 2007)
Available to be a soldier	747,043, age 16–49 (2005 est.)
Fit to be a soldier	523,550, age 16–49 (2005 est.)
Reaching military age annually	27,729 (2005 est.)
Active employees/soldiers	5,950
Reserve personnel	2,580
Expenditures
Budget	8 milion
See also
Ranks	Military ranks of Jamaica

The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) is Jamaica's military. It includes an army, an air force, a coast guard, and special support units. The JDF is set up like the British military, with similar training and traditions.

If you want to become an officer in the JDF, you might train in places like the United Kingdom or Canada. Regular soldiers get their basic training at the JDF Training Depot Newcastle in Jamaica. As soldiers move up in rank, they receive more special training.

A Brief History of the JDF

West Indian soldiers, c. 1861

The JDF has a long history, going back to the West India Regiments. These regiments were formed when Jamaica was part of the British Empire. They helped protect Jamaica and other British islands in the Caribbean.

Over time, these groups changed. During World War I and World War II, there were groups like the Kingston Infantry Volunteers. In 1958, the West India Regiments were reformed as part of the West Indies Federation. When this Federation ended, the JDF was officially created in 1962.

The JDF works to keep Jamaica safe. Its units often patrol with the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) in areas where crime is higher. This helps maintain peace and order across the country.

Key Parts of the Jamaica Defence Force

The JDF is made up of several important parts:

• Headquarters, Jamaica Defence Force (HQ JDF) - This is the main command center for the entire JDF. It helps plan and manage all operations.
• The Jamaica Regiment - This is the main ground force, like the army. It has five battalions (groups of soldiers) that focus on combat and land operations.
• The Support Brigade (Sp Bde) - This group provides important help to the soldiers. It includes units for health services, military police, and engineers who build and repair things.

A Jamaica Defence Force soldier (left) with a Sergeant of the Royal Bermuda Regiment in the Blue Mountains in 1996

• The Maritime, Air and Cyber Command (MACC) - This command handles operations on the sea, in the air, and in cyberspace. It includes the Coast Guard, the Air Wing, and special intelligence and cyber units.
• Caribbean Military Academy (CMA) - Started in 2019, this is a military university. It's the first of its kind in the Caribbean, training future military leaders.
• The Jamaica National Reserve (JNR) - This is a reserve force. These are people who train part-time and can be called upon to help if needed.

Military Bands

The JDF also has two special military bands:

• Jamaica Military Band - This band has a long history, going back to 1927. It's one of only two units in the world that wears a unique uniform called the zouave uniform.
• Jamaica Regiment Band - This band was formed in 1959. It plays for the Jamaica Regiment and helps with military ceremonies.

JDF Army Equipment

The JDF uses various types of equipment for its ground forces.

JDF Air Wing

A Super King Air similar to this one is used by the JDF

Roundel of Jamaica Defence Force Air Wing

The JDF Air Wing uses different aircraft for patrols, training, and rescue missions.

Current Aircraft

Past Aircraft

The JDF Air Wing used to operate several other aircraft, including the Aero Commander 500 family, BN-2 Islander, Beechcraft Duke, Beechcraft King Air, Cessna Skymaster, Cessna 185 Skywagon, Cessna 210, DHC-6 Twin Otter, Eurocopter AS355 Écureuil 2, Bell UH-1 Iroquois, Bell 47G, Bell 212, Bell 204/205, and the Bell 222UT helicopter.

Air Wing Incidents

On July 1, 2009, a JDF Air Wing helicopter had mechanical problems and crashed at Up Park Camp. The captain, co-pilot, and a crew member were injured.

JDF Coast Guard

Jamaican naval ensign

The JDF Coast Guard protects Jamaica's waters. It was added to the JDF in 1963 and was first called the Jamaica Sea Squadron. Its first boats were three old torpedo recovery boats from the United States.

These boats were named HMJS Yoruba, HMJS Coromante, and HMJS Mandingo. The British Royal Navy helped train the new unit. In 1966, the name changed to the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard. As of 2016, about 241 people worked in the Coast Guard.

Coast Guard Equipment

Jamaican Coast Guard patrol vessels

The Coast Guard uses various vessels to patrol the seas and enforce maritime laws.

Ranks in the JDF

Just like in other militaries, the JDF has different ranks for its members. These ranks show a person's level of responsibility and experience.

Officer Ranks

These are the ranks for officers in the army, navy (Coast Guard), and air force.

Rank group	General/flag officers										Senior officers						Junior officers								Officer cadet
Jamaican Army
					Lieutenant general		Major general		Brigadier		Colonel		Lieutenant colonel		Major		Captain		Lieutenant			Second lieutenant			Officer Cadet
Jamaican Coast Guard
					Vice admiral		Rear admiral		Commodore		Captain		Commander		Lieutenant commander		Lieutenant		Lieutenant (junior grade)			Sub-Lieutenant			Midshipman
Jamaican Air Wing
													Lieutenant Colonel		Major		Captain		First Lieutenant			Second Lieutenant			Officer Cadet
Rank group	General/flag officers										Senior officers						Junior officers								Officer cadet

Enlisted Ranks

These are the ranks for enlisted personnel (soldiers who are not officers) in the army, navy (Coast Guard), and air force.

Rank group	Senior NCOs																						Junior NCOs						Enlisted
Jamaican Army																													No insignia
	Warrant officer class 1						Warrant officer class 2		Staff sergeant		Sergeant												Corporal				Lance corporal		Private (or equivalent)
Jamaican Coast Guard																																			No insignia
	Master chief petty officer 1						Master chief petty officer		Chief petty officer		Petty officer												Leading seaman						Able seaman						Ordinary seaman
Jamaican Air Wing																													No insignia
	Warrant officer class 1						Warrant officer class 2		Staff sergeant		Sergeant												Corporal				Lance corporal		Private (or equivalent)
Rank group	Senior NCOs																						Junior NCOs						Enlisted