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November 2001

Military Welcomes New Security Minister and Reminisces on the Past
JDF Recruits 150 for Training
Units in the Jamaica Defence Force put their best foot forward
Joint Police and Military Operations Intensifies
Remembrance Day in Jamaica
JDF Soldier Finishes in Top 10 in CAC Cross Country Championship

Military Welcomes New Security Minister and Reminisces on the Past…

Honourable K D Knight

In Jamaica it had become almost commonplace for matters of national Security to be mentioned in the same breath as the name of the Minister of Government who, up to 31 October 2001, had portfolio responsibility for the Ministry of National Security and Justice. It is not surprising that the Honourable Keith Desmond Knight’s name, popularly referred to as K D Knight, was synonymously linked to national security issues since he has been in charge of that Ministry since February 1989. As national security minister, Minister Knight had responsibility for the day-to-day administration of the Jamaican military. He became a familiar face and a familiar name to the troops. However, since November, the military now reports to a new security Minister, Dr Peter Phillips.

The Honourable K D Knight has been reassigned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. Dr Peter Phillips, who is described in the Financial Gleaner of 26 October 2001 as “affable” and a “bright light” takes over the reigns as national security minister, having been reassigned from the portfolio of Minister of Transport and Works.

Dr Peter Phillips

While the military welcomes Dr Phillips, it may be some time before he becomes a familiar figure to the soldiers. By default of Minister Knight’s nearly 13 years tenure as national security minister and his relationship with the military prior to his ministerial position, most of the soldiers presently serving in the Jamaica Defence Force have had no experience with any other Government minister.
Minister Knight has administered over military affairs through three Chiefs of Staff. During his administration as security minister, Minister Knight has overseen over 25 intakes of soldiers’ for training and about 3,000 men and women joining the military, roughly the size of the active military Force today. Prior to being a minister, in his professional capacity as an attorney-at-law, K D Knight defended many soldiers at their courts martial. Further, the soldiers identified with him as he too has had military training and served as a member of the Jamaica National Reserve.

“He was appreciated by the soldiers,” noted an officer who recounted that following public controversy in July regarding the military’s role in assisting the Police in maintaining law and order, Minister Knight visited Up Park Camp and met with the soldiers. “It was nice to see that he went to their level,” said the Officer. “ He spoke with the soldiers. He asked them, ‘What were your concerns?’”.