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| Home > Info Centre > Publications > Alert 2000 > Profile of a Leader | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Major General J I SIMMONDS is the seventh Officer to command the Jamaica Defence Force since its establishment in 1962. The climb to this top post of Chief of Staff took him some thirty-two years, a service which exceeds the age of many of the soldiers now serving under his command. On joining the Jamaica Defence Force in 1966 this young Kingstonian, Excelsior High School graduate, proceeded on his initial Officer Training in the United Kingdom. He was Commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant in 1967 and he embarked on his career as an infanteer. During his fifteen years of service in the Jamaica Regiment, he advanced to the rank of Major, assuming increasing responsibilities along the way. He served in all three infantry battalions holding appointments of Platoon Commander, Motor Transport Officer, Officer Commanding, and Commanding Officer in the regular Units and that of Administrative Officer in the Third Battalion (National Reserve). In 1982 his promotion to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel brought him to the Force headquarters to shoulder the responsibilities of the Staff Officer for Operations and Training. He held that appointment until 1990 when he was elevated to the rank of Colonel. In this capacity he was the principal Staff Officer advising the Chief of Staff on Operations, Training and Security. He also acted for the Chief of Staff on a number of occasions while he held this appointment.
The General may be regarded as a Soldiers’ General. Over the years he has learnt and understood the peculiarities of the Jamaican Soldier. He speaks a language that the average soldier readily understands and can respond to. This may help to explain the admiration that soldiers have for him.
General Simmonds is Catholic by faith. He has been married to Avril since 1972. Together they have two sons Marcus John and John Oniel a financial manager and medical student respectively. General Simmonds speaks with pride about his family and credits his wife for his success.
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In November 1998 he jumped the rank of Brigadier
and was promoted to Major General and appointed Chief of Staff of the Force. Like his
predecessors, as Chief of Staff he sits as a member of the Defence Board and is
responsible for the operational direction of the Force. He is also an Honourary
Aide-de-Camp to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second. General Simmonds is the recipient
of the Medal of Honour for Meritorious Service.
Within the wider society General Simmonds is known
for his sporting achievements. He has the distinction of having represented Jamaica at
Hockey, Squash and Football and for being the First Jamaican to win the Jamaica Open
Squash Tournament. He serves as a member of the National Council for sports, he is
President of the Jamaica Rugby Association, Vice President of the Jamaica Football
Federation and a Patron of the Jamaica Hockey Association.