The Basics: Saluting doing it right the first time.

The subject of this article – ‘Keeping the Best in Basics’ – may possibly imply that there has been a move away from the basics or fundamentals in relation to the JDF and a return is required as the move was for the worse. I do believe that to address this alleged decline there has to be a return to some of the basics that have made us the proud, professional and respected, young and small military force that we are.

What are the basics of our force that I am addressing and regard as so important? It certainly, for instance, is not that the JDF does not persist in encasing its officers and Warrant Officers Class One in an uncomfortable leather strap. General Sam Browne invented the Sam Browne in about 1860. At first, when much of an officer’s equipment was made of leather, it was perhaps a reasonable type of belt on which to hang a leather holster, leather pouches and other impediments. As soon as officers started wearing webbing belts for training and operations, it became unnecessary. It is now an anachronism and quite rightly seldom worn by the JDF officer for major force functions. Many will regard and point to this as one possible reason for the perceived decline in standards!

However, it is not change that affects an armed force but rather it must be that the spirit of the force has changed. In the British army the horse eventually became out of date and had to go. But it did not affect the spirit of the mounted troops. A few years later they were responding to the leadership of their officers, riding in vehicles, as willingly and decisive as ever; because the tradition of centuries was firmly implanted.

Rigorous rules of army discipline will always be needed to guarantee an army from defeat, slaughter and, worst of all, dishonour. How we enforce and maintain discipline will change and so long as the aim is clear, honest and sincere the desired result will be the same as prior to the changes. It is not that soldiers now only punctuate sentences with ‘Sir’ after say every ten words, as compared to days gone by when they did so after every four words or less! That does not affect discipline, but rather whether the officer has earned respect; there is a feeling of pride in his unit and that his perception of the force to which he belongs coincides with the remainder of society. This is the retention of basics that I advocate – an understanding by all, members of the JDF and the civil society alike, as to what we are and why it is necessary for us to preserve our special social order within the Jamaican society. This is fundamental to our very existence as a disciplined, competent and professional force. What is this special order and why should it be maintained?

One has to appreciate that the need for military forces runs contrary to fundamental beliefs of the individuality of Man, his liberties and his function of independent reasoning – responding to the dictates of his private conscience. There are many societies in the past and in today’s world that have catered for both these separate orders existing in harmony. However, given that ‘do your own thing’ has gained acceptance in Jamaica and in several other countries, how can one continue to rationalise or accept that a military body such as the JDF should continue to maintain its separate status as an order differing from the remainder of the society to which it belongs and for which it is paid to defend.

Duality of orders

In order to rationalise and preserve the desirable duality of the social orders it is necessary to examine and understand how it evolved. In the past, there was only one social order brought on by the tribal nature of civilisation then, feudal vassalage, slavery or colonial occupation forces. During such periods, the ethos of the ‘protected’ society was the same as that of the military. The societies held the same military virtues as their dogma, as in Sparta or 19^th century Prussia. Today this single order system or form still exists in totalitarian societies where those who govern suppress any ideas that they find unacceptable.

Civilian control

Civilian societies, including that of Jamaica, have come to recognise the military as a disciplined institution – the custodians of their country’s defence. However, civilian society has always been concerned, that the

power of the military may be turned against the prevailing order of society or to adventures not condoned by it. But Jamaicans should have no fear in this regard, as their Defence Force has had a noble tradition and philosophy that respects and accepts the very strict civilian control over the military instrument. Happily, this position has never been challenged by the JDF. Civilian primacy over the military is essential to preserve the balance and integrity of the force.

The JDF has had a noble tradition of being non-partisan. The JDF officer and soldier should never court politicians in an effort to gain political favours or advancement. Such designs are self-serving and short termed. There is no greater divisive force than to introduce party politics into the activities of the force. I guarantee that if this important basic -keeping out partisan politics – is not preserved, the JDF will not survive in a democratic Jamaica.

Offences & punishments

Part V of the Defence Act outlines offences, punishments and an entire system of judicial and administrative tribunals touching the JDF community. This part of the Defence Act applies at all times and in all places and in this respect is unlike disciplinary codes touching members of civilian professions or vocations which operate only in respect of matters affecting their calling directly. Offences against the provisions of this Part of the Defence Act may attract the gravest sanctions, even in cases where the behaviour constituting the offence would not necessarily attract civil or criminal liability under the civilian law. What may be, at worst, minor breaches of contract under civilian law calling only for payment of damages, could under the Defence Act be substantial offences, calling for loss of life or of liberty as punishment. There have been too frequent attempts by over zealous lawyers to challenge the JDF’s tried and proven system of justice. The much-touted ‘natural justice’ provisions are forever in the minds of those who administer justice in the JDF, as we are now regularly challenged in the courts. Again, happily, the courts have tended to rule in the JDF’s favour, understanding the unique nature of the profession. How much longer though, I ask, before these challenges to our system will serve to undermine it and to have us being afraid to administer justice because of fear of being challenged and possibly embarrassed in the courts?

Already there are signs of officers who are beginning to treat the matter of military law as an area of expertise, only to be dealt with and understood fully by trained lawyers. It is an essential basic requirement that those who administer justice, and for that matter leaders at all levels, should become experts in military law and regulations. It is specifically to the military officer that the civilian lawyer should look for guidance. A failure by officers to understand this basic requirement could possibly render them ineffective as leaders and managers.

Diametric opposites

Within the JDF there are orders, regulations or instructions made pursuant to the Act, which lays down rules and principles defining, amplifying, restricting, broadening rights and duties, or in a thousand ways outlining organisation, setting standards of performance or behaviour in the military community.

Many of the rules or principles are either unknown in a civilian society, or diametrically opposite to the civilian ones, so much so that even a most cursory examination discloses a marked distinction between the JDF and the rest of society.

Apart from the legal aspects, I suggest there are many other indications of a separate military order. For example, there are the visible outward signs of identification to a particular group – the uniforms and insignia denoting both a belonging and a status. Then there are the ways of doing things, the style if you wish, often quite alien in many respects to the civilian order. The culture, cast in tradition adds further distinction. There has been a tendency to adopt the more liberal ways of the civilian society, some of which run contrary to military standards and requirements. Standardisation in dress, practice and equipment has given way to the very relaxed and understandably acceptable civilian code. The JDF must preserve these basics – the visible outward signs of identification and not be lured to accept any other.

When all the factors above are taken into account, they show, I submit, the Jamaica Defence Force is indeed a special social order, differing in fundamental respects from the civilian social order prevailing in Jamaica, and very good reason that they should continue to exist with mutual respect and in harmony. It also shows that for the JDF to continue to maintain high professional standards, it must preserve the best of the basics outlined. We must endeavour to persuade our civilian masters that we are what we are because we are a separate though complementary social order.