Q. How do I join the National Reserve?

A.

• As an Officer?
• As a soldier?

Be a minimum age of 18 years and a maximum of 28 years (applicants should not yet have reached their 29th birthday).

Be gainfully employed or be able to sustain yourself financially.

Be available on Thursday evenings, first Sundays, third weekends and two weeks of continuous training (Annual Camp).

Joining the National Reserve as an Officer

The applicant should have had tertiary training, and be between the ages of 22 and 28 ideally.

An application in writing should be submitted, complete with a resume, and proof of qualification. Diplomas, degrees, and certificates may be copied and submitted, but the originals will be required at the interview, usually conducted by a panel of senior officers.

The next stage involves a series of medical tests, after which the candidate attends a selection exercise over a three-day period. Here a panel of officers will test and observe the participants in various activities designed to display manner, leadership qualities, creativity, and communication skills. At the end of the exercise, a final interview is held, and the candidate is told the results of these testing.

If successful, a date will be given for the start of basic training.

After basic training, the successful candidate is appointed Officer Cadet, and then moves on to officer training.

Joining the National Reserve as a soldier

The requirements to become a soldier are similar to the Regular Force with some differences, as follows:

Be a minimum age of 18 years and a maximum of 28 years (applicants should not yet have reached their 29th birthday).

Be gainfully employed or be able to sustain yourself financially.

Be available on Thursday evenings, first Sundays, third weekends and two weeks of continuous training (Annual Camp).

The candidate will be required to complete an application form, and upon request, attend medical testing and several other tests that are normally conducted on the same day. Some time is allowed for the tabulation of test scores. After all deliberations have been completed, the successful candidate will be advised and later called in to begin basic training.

Q. Where are applications for the National Reserve submitted?

Infantry – Third Battalion The Jamaica Regiment (National Reserve)

The Training Major
Jamaica Defence Force National Reserve
Curphey Barracks
Up Park Camp
Kingston 5
Jamaica

Telephone: (876) 926-8121-9, Extension 2272

Air Wing – Jamaica Defence Force Air Wing (National Reserve)

SO1 G1 (Personnel and Administration)
Headquarters
Jamaica Defence Force
Up Park Camp
Kingston 5
Jamaica

Telephone: (876) 926-8121-9, Extension 2014

Coast Guard – Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard (National Reserve)

Recruiting Officer
JDF Coast Guard
Port Royal
Kingston 1

Telephone: (876) 967-8031-2