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Promotion and Appointments

Promotion

Substantive Promotion – Officers

To be considered eligible for promotion all Officers of the regular Force below the rank of Major (except Officers of the Quartermaster category) are required to pass a professional examination approved by the Defence Board. These examinations, which are arranged by the Headquarters of the Jamaica Defence Force, are held at least twice a year. In addition to passing the appropriate examination, Officers below the rank of Major must have completed the following periods of commissioned service to be promoted to the ranks indicated:

To Lieutenant after 2 years as a Second Lieutenant.

To Captain after 4 years as a substantive Lieutenant.

To Major after 7 years as a substantive Captain.

These requirements apply to Officers of the JDF Coast Guard of equivalent rank.

Quartermaster Officers (commissioned from the ranks) are eligible for substantive promotion after completing the following periods of commissioned service:

    To Captain after 6 years as a substantive Lieutenant.

    To Major after 6 years as a substantive Captain.

Promotions to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and above and the substantive promotion of Officers of the Reserve Force are made through selection by the Defence Board.

Temporary Promotion – Officers

A regular or reserve Officer, other than one in the Quartermaster category, may be granted temporary promotion, after passing the professional examination previously mentioned, as follows:

    To temporary Captain after 3 years as a substantive Lieutenant.

    To temporary Major after 4 years as a substantive Captain.

General Requirements

In addition to the requirements shown above, an officer must be recommended for promotion by his or her Commanding Officer and must have passed a basic fitness test within the previous 6 months.

Promotion – Soldiers

Promotion of soldiers in the Jamaica Defence Force is subject to vacancies and the requirements of the Force. Promotions are based on the following factors:

    Seniority in the current rank.
    Record of conduct.
    Efficiency.
    Physical fitness.
    Qualifications, either from courses attended or from experience.
    Standard of education.
    Time bars where applicable.

The soldier is normally promoted to acting rank and must serve a minimum period of three months before being promoted to substantive rank.

Promotion Boards are held twice yearly and are chaired by the Chief of Staff.