The mission of the Jamaica Defence Force is to safeguard national sovereignty and to provide for the maintenance of order as required; to prepare for and respond to crisis with appropriate action; to assist with the process of nation building and protect Jamaica’s interest at home and overseas.

The Jamaica Defence Force is constituted under the provision of Section 4 of the Defence Act which states that ‘There shall be established in Jamaica a body of Her Majesty’s military forces to be called the JAMAICA DEFENCE FORCE and shall consist of a regular Force; and a reserve Force to be known as the Jamaica National Reserve’.

The Defence Act has charged the JDF with the defence of Jamaica and maintenance of order in Jamaica and with such other duties as may from time to time be defined by the Defence Board. The Force may also be employed outside Jamaica.

The composition of the Defence Board is set out in the Defence Act and currently comprises the Prime Minister – who has the responsibility for defence matters – as Chairman, the Minister of National Security and Justice, the Chief of Staff of the Jamaica Defence Force and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of National Security and Justice (which Ministry is responsible for defence matters) who is also the Secretary of the Board.

The Defence Board, which is subject to the general authority of the Minister responsible for defence matters, is responsible for most matters relating to the JDF, including command, discipline and administration. Responsibility for the operational use of the Force is vested in the Chief of Staff, subject to overall direction from the Cabinet; however the Prime Minister may give the Chief of Staff directions for operational use of the JDF without Cabinet direction as such.

The Defence Act provides for a Commissions Board to recommend persons to be granted Commissions in the JDF. The power to grant Commissions is vested in The Queen and is exercised on Her Majesty’s behalf by the Governor-General.

Members of the JDF are not, in the strictest interpretation of the law and Constitution of Jamaica, public officers and are not subject to the Staff Orders of the Public Service and the Public Service Regulations. Regulations for the governance of the JDF are made by The Defence Board and the Governor-General.