Jamaica Defence Force

Jamaica Defence Force
Jamaica Defence Force badge
Founded31 July 1962; 62 years ago (1962-07-31)
Service branches
  • The Jamaica Regiment
  • Maritime, Air and Cyber Command
  • Support Brigade
  • Caribbean Military Academy
  • Jamaica National Reserve
HeadquartersUp Park Camp, Kingston, Jamaica
Websitejdfweb.com
Leadership
Commander-in-chiefKing Charles III
Prime MinisterAndrew Holness
Minister of National SecurityHorace Chang
Chief of Defence StaffVice Admiral Antonette Wemyss Gorman
Personnel
Military age16 years of age for selection process, 17 years of age is actual serving age (as of 2007)
Available for
military service
747,043, age 16–49 (2005 est.)
Fit for
military service
523,550, age 16–49 (2005 est.)
Reaching military
age annually
27,729 (2005 est.)
Active personnel5,950[1]
Reserve personnel2,580[1]
Expenditure
Budget$238 million[1]
Related articles
RanksMilitary ranks of Jamaica

The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) is the combined military of Jamaica, consisting of an infantry Regiment and Reserve Corps, an Air Wing, a Coast Guard fleet and a supporting Engineering Unit.[2] The JDF is based upon the British military model, with similar organisation, training, weapons and traditions. Once chosen, officer candidates are sent to one of several British or Canadian basic officer courses depending upon the arm of service. Enlisted soldiers are given basic training at JDF Training Depot Newcastle. As in the British model, NCOs are given several levels of professional training as they rise up the ranks. Additional military schools are available for speciality training in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

  1. ^ a b c International Institute for Strategic Studies (25 February 2021). The Military Balance 2021. London: Routledge. p. 418. ISBN 9781032012278.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference EurasiaReview2016-12-11 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).