The Jamaican Military System
(Plus The Application Form)

New! See the real Jamaica in VIDEOS!
Click Here and see why over 140,000 fans are raving about my YouTube Channel!

Source:NationwideNews

The Jamaican Military, known as The Jamaica Defence Force, was constituted in 1962. It was developed from the West India Regiment (WIR), a British colonial regiment which dates back to 1795.

That was the time the first West India Regiment was formed in the Windward Islands of the Eastern Caribbean.

By 1799, the number of battalions rose to twelve, with many being disbanded during the following century.

Troops for the WIR were recruited from freed slaves in North America, slaves purchased in the West Indies and slaves from Africa bought off slave ships.

To gauge the strength of the WIR, records tell us that in 1807, the British Parliament freed some 10,000 black slaves who were soldiers in the WIR.

The West Indies Regiment was used extensively by the British Empire in policing the empire from 1795 to 1926. Other units in the JDF heritage include the early colonial Jamaica Militia, the Kingston Infantry Volunteers of WWI and reorganized into the Jamaican Infantry Volunteers in World War II.

The West Indies Regiment was reformed in 1958 as part of the West Indies Federation. The dissolution of the Federation resulted in the establishment of the JDF.

Today, The Jamaican Military comprises an infantry Regiment and Reserve Corps, an Air Wing, a Coast Guard fleet and a supporting Engineering Unit.

The infantry regiment contains the 1st, 2nd and 3rd (National Reserve) battalions. The JDF Air Wing is divided into three flight units, a training unit, a support unit and the JDF Air Wing (National Reserve).

The Coast Guard is divided between sea-going crews and support crews. It conducts maritime safety and maritime law enforcement as well as defense-related operations. The support battalion contains a Military Police platoon as well as vehicle, armourers and supply units.

The 1st Engineer Regiment provides military engineering support to the JDF. The Headquarters JDF contains the JDF Commander, Command Staff as well as Intelligence, Judge Advocate office, Administrative and Procurement sections.

Their core responsibilities are:

• To defend Jamaica against military or paramilitary threats.
• To provide military aid to the Civil Authorities, namely relating to: Restoration/maintenance of law and order; Counter-narcotics operations; Search and Rescue (SAR); Casualty Evacuation; Humanitarian and disaster relief operations; Defence diplomacy; Nation building projects; Contingency planning; and State ceremonial duties.
• Maintaining the integrity of Jamaica’s waters and airspace by demonstrating sovereignty over the territorial space and protecting the rights and interests in the maritime and aeronautical areas of jurisdiction (including marine environmental and fisheries protection).
• Counter Terrorism Operations by monitoring and analyzing potential terrorist activities, and preventing or responding to terrorist incidents, including Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) detection, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD).

In recent years the JDF has been called upon to assist the nation's police, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) in fighting drug smuggling and a rising crime rate which includes one of the highest murder rates in the world.

JDF units actively conduct armed patrols with the JCF in high-crime areas and known gang neighborhoods. There has been vocal controversy as well as support of this JDF role.

For more on the Jamaica military service, including career opportunities or general information, please visit their new website.

Sources:
http://www.jdfmil.org/overview/background/background.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_history_of_Jamaica

Pages Related To The Jamaican Military

• The History of Jamaica
• Laws of Jamaica
• Colleges in Jamaica
• Q&A on Government Information
• Jamaican Culture
• Our Jamaica Blog
• And even more...Search Here

Make sure you subscribe to my free monthly e-zine My Island Jamaica Digest (MIJD) and stay with the latest from Jamaica!

Back to Facts about Jamaica from The Jamaica Defence Force Applicaton Form
Back to Homepage from the Jamaican Military

Back To The Top Of This Page

New! Get My Latest Book👇🏿

You asked, I've answered! You no longer need to save for months or years, to enjoy paradise! JAMAICA On A Budget is your passport to experiencing what I call 'The Real Jamaica' on a budget! I spilled the beans! sharing my top tips on finding cozy accommodations and secret gems, only the way a native could! Click Here to pick it up on my e-store and start saving now!

See The Best Of Jamaica - In Videos!

My channel reaches over 140,000 subscribers worldwide and has leveraged over 11 million views, sharing, what I call 'The Real Jamaica'. Subscribe today and join our family of viewers.

Read More ...

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.

New! Experience The REAL Jamaica!
Book Your Private Tour here and experience Jamaica the way we (locals) do!

---

P.S. Didn't find what you were looking for? 
Still need help?

Click Here to try our dependable and effective Site Search tool. It works!

Or, simply click here and here, to browse my library of over 500 questions and answers! Chances are someone already asked (and got an answer to) your question.

---

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY Book Local Tours

Book Your Vacation Travel TIPS and Cautions

Watch My Videos!

NEW! 

Join the growing list of well-thinking,  Jamaica-Loving folks in our vibrant Private Community

👇🏿

Featured Video!

Travelling To Jamaica? 

Read this BEFORE you go

👇🏿

Recent Articles

• 
• 
• 

1. Jamaican Oats Porridge Recipe! Simple and Delicious

   Apr 19, 24 01:49 PM

   
   Yes! Oats porridge, the breakfast of champions! This simple dish is a go-to for most of us. Don’t you want to give the Jamaican Oats Porridge recipe a try?

   Read More

2. Jamaican Passion Fruit Juice | Refreshing, Delicious, Nutritious!

   Apr 18, 24 05:14 PM

   
   Summer is fast approaching. We’ll need many refreshing drinks to take through the warm sunny weather. Why not add Jamaican passion fruit juice to the list?

   Read More

3. Lime Cay Jamaica | A Jamaican Beach Adventure!

   Apr 18, 24 10:21 AM

   
   I am convinced some of the most pristine beaches in the world are right here in Jamaica. Here’s one you might not have heard of, Lime Cay Jamaica!

   Read More

4. The Iberostar Rose Hall Beach All-Inclusive Hotel

   Apr 17, 24 04:33 PM

   
   In Montego Bay, hotels are a dime a dozen. It’s sometimes hard to choose where to stay. If you are considering Iberostar Rose Hall Beach, here’s what to expect.

   Read More

5. Must Have Experiences In Jamaica...That Don’t Include The Beach

   Apr 17, 24 11:25 AM

   
   Jamaica boasts many beaches, of which we are immensely proud. But, take a step back from the sand and sea for some other must have experiences in Jamaica.

   Read More