Q. Is there are planned career path for persons who join as soldiers?

A.

As a soldier progresses and shows leadership skills, promotion through the ranks to Warrant Officer and even to a Commission could follow. In trade areas of the Force, civilian qualifications are acquired which, should they decide to leave, will enhance a soldier’s prospects for employment outside the Force.

Q. What are the rank structures in the Jamaica Defence Force?

A.

Commissioned Officers
Ranks	Coast Guard Equivalent
Major General	Rear Admiral
Brigadier	Commodore
Colonel	Captain(N)
Lieutenant Colonel	Commander
Major	Lieutenant Commander
Captain	Lieutenant Senior Grade
Lieutenant	Lieutenant Junior Grade
Second Lieutenant	Sub Lieutenant
Officer Cadet	Midshipman

Q. Why does Jamaica need a military?

A.

The military is regarded as the country’s last line of defence. The military is the ultimate force by which the state may apply force or the threat of force to protect its existence. Like a good investment policy the JDF stays in a state of constant readiness, poised to take immediate action in any national emergency.

Q. What purpose(s) do the Jamaica Defence Force currently serves?

A.

The training and constant readiness for our purpose makes the JDF capable of performing diverse national roles, which includes, principally:

• To defend Jamaica against external aggression and internal civil disorder.
• 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).

Q. How is the Jamaica Defence Force organized?

A.

The Jamaica Defence Force is organised into units and small fighting teams. Currently the Force comprises eight major units, which are augmented with a civilian staff. They are as follows:

• A Headquarters (with the Intelligence Unit and Information Systems Centre)
• Three Infantry Battalions (Two Regular and One Reserve Battalion)
• Support and Services Battalion
• JDF Air Wing (with a reserve element)
• JDF Coast Guard (with a reserve element)
• 1 Engineer Regiment (JDF)
• A civilian staff