Jamaica Defence Force
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The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) is the overall name given to the combined armed forces of Jamaica.
The JDF is based upon the British military model with organisation, training, weapons and traditions closely aligned with Commonwealth Realm Countries. Once chosen officer candidates are sent to one of several British or Canadian basic officer courses depending upon which arm of service they are slated for. Enlisted soldiers are given basic training at JDF Training Depot Newcastle. As on the British model NCOs are given several levels of professional training as they rise up the ranks. Additional military schools are available for specialty training in Canada, the U.S., and Britain.
The JDF is directly descended from the British West India Regiment formed during the colonial era. The West India Regiment was used extensively by the British 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 reorganised into the Jamaican Infantry Volunteers in WWII. The West India Regiment was reformed in 1958 as part of the West Indies Federation. The dissolution of the Federation resulted in the establishment of the JDF.
The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) 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 element is divided between sea-going crews and support crews. It conducts maritime safety and maritime law enforcement as well as defence-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.
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 neighbourhoods. There has been vocal controversy as well as support of this JDF role. In early 2005, an opposition leader, Edward Seaga, called for the merger of the JDF and JCF. This move has not garnered support in either organisation nor among the majority of citizens.
The JDF units:
- Headquarters, Jamaica Defence Force - divided into the Operations Branch and Adjutant Quartermaster's Branch, this is the main command of the entire JDF. Also part of HQ JDF is the Military Counter Intelligence Unit.
- 1st and 2nd Bn, The Jamaica Regiment - this is the main formation of the JDF, consisting of two light infantry battalions.
- 3rd Bn (National Reserve), The Jamaica Regiment - this is a volunteer infantry battalion.
- 1 Engineer Regiment, JDF - this provides engineering support to the infantry battalions.
- JDF Support and Services Battalion - this provides logistic and administrative support, and is divided into the following units:
- Administration Unit
- Supply Unit
- Training Depot
- Workshop
- Transport Unit
- Provost Unit
- Air Wing - this provides air support for the infantry, and surveillance and maritime patrol, which is used in anti-drug missions.
- Coast Guard - this is the naval arm of the JDF, and has responsibility for maritime law enforcement and maritime safety.
[edit] Bands
The JDF also supports two military bands;
- Jamaica Military Band - this is the band that is descended from the band of the West India Regiment, and was formed in February 1927. It is one of only two units in the world (the other being the Band of the Barbados Regiment) that wears the uniform of the zouaves.
- Jamaica Regiment Band - this band was originally formed as the Band of the West India Regiment formed in 1959 as the military force of the Federation of the West Indies. With the Federation's break up and the independence of Jamaica, it became the Band of the 1st Battalion, Jamaica Regiment. It gained its current name with the formation of the 2nd Battalion in 1979.
