Training – Profiles

“As long as I can remember, I always wanted to join the army, not having the slightest idea what the military was all about. Like most other teenagers, my fantasies got the better of me and I had all intent on making my dream a reality.”

“As a youngster I often make-believed and pretended to be a soldier, however, this feeling never left me. Everyone in my family saw it coming and there were no surprises when I decided to enlist in the Jamaica Defence Force. July 22 was the highlight of my life and to-date I have no regrets. The experiences at Newcastle have been very fulfilling and indeed a learning process that is ongoing.”

“Cpl Mathias (Centre), my squad corporal at all times goes to lengths to ensure that we learn and understand all that is taught to us in training. For my instructors, this is more than just a job, having to live and operate in the same environment, they go to the extremes to ensure that we keep on track because ultimately they are responsible for the soldiers produced at the end of the training period.”

 

You can make it, just one more sit-up and it’s over.  “All it takes is a little self discipline at times. Laziness does not become a recruit and with that attitude you will never make it. I have been told that tiredness is all in the mind, and I have found that to be true. When you decide that you cannot go any further, just a nudge or a push from another recruit may get you going again. Especially after a hectic physical training session, when it is all over you feel so accomplished and satisfied that you made it and it was just because you did not give up”

Recruit Ellis during a Barrack Room inspection.

Pte Ivan Ellis is now serving in Charlie Company, 2JR as a rifleman.