Warrant Officer Class 1 Owen Smith Regimental Sergeant Major Jamaica Defence Force Air Wing

The Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) for the
Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Air Wing

Warrant Officer Class One (WOI) Owen Smith, is affectionately known as ‘Vicious’. RSM Smith enlisted in the Jamaica Defence Force in August 1969 after graduating from Kingston Technical High School.

A member of the 9th Intake of men trained by the JDF, RSM Smith said that he has had a ‘fulfilling career’ having served in many units of the JDF to include the 1st Battalion The Jamaica Regiment, Support and Services Battalion, 1 Engineer Regiment (JDF) and the Third Battalion The Jamaica Regiment, before serving at the JDF AW. The positions which RSM Smith held in these major units indicate that he is a well-rounded and responsible individual. Some of these positions were Platoon Sergeant, Permanent Staff Instructor, Colour Sergeant, Regimental Quartermaster and Unit Sergeant Major. WOI Smith was appointed RSM of the JDF Air Wing in 1993.

His interests and hobbies are boxing, hockey, running, football, cricket and swimming. RSM Smith represented the JDF and his Units in all of these sports. When asked how he got his nickname “Vicious’, he replied that he got it from Colonel (retired) Nester O’Gilvie because of his agility and no-nonsense attitude on operations.

RSM Smith is married to Clemelin and they have two children, Owen Jr and Rachida.