Jamaica’s Defence Board elevates Chief of Defence Staff

Jamaica’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Rear Admiral Antonette Wemyss-Gorman, is set to ascend to the rank of vice admiral (lieutenant general) effective May 10, following the endorsement from the Defence Board.

This significant promotion was formally announced through a media release from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) on Wednesday.

Rear Admiral Wemyss-Gorman, who holds the distinction of being the world’s only female Chief of Defence Staff, assumed the role of CDS on January 21, 2022, marking the culmination of her illustrious 32-year career across various command echelons.

During her tenure as CDS, the OPM lauded her for steering the force with unwavering leadership, fostering trust, and maintaining high morale among soldiers. She has diligently adhered to the Jamaica Defence Force’s (JDF) strategic trajectory outlined in the 2017 to 2037 Strategic Defence Review, spearheading its 2021 update.

Under her guidance, emphasis has been placed on the establishment of the Institute of Cyber Science and the enhancement of military intelligence capabilities, resulting in more precise operations and bolstered support to the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

The OPM underscored Rear Admiral Wemyss-Gorman’s efforts in expanding the JDF’s presence across the island-nation, establishing forward operating bases in key regions like Clarendon, St Catherine, St Thomas, Portland, Westmoreland, and Hanover. Moreover, her proactive engagement initiatives have directly impacted over 35,000 young Jamaicans annually.

Furthermore, her leadership has prompted a review of the Jamaica National Service Corps program, aimed at broadening opportunities for participants. Concurrently, efforts to safeguard the Blue Economy have yielded tangible results, notably in curbing illegal fishing activities.

Internationally, Rear Admiral Wemyss-Gorman has earned the respect of her regional counterparts and solidified operational collaborations through Memorandums of Understanding with the Armed Forces of the Dominican Republic, Cayman Island Coast Guard, and Guyana Defence Force.

Noteworthy achievements include the JDF’s spearheading of an annual multinational exercise to bolster regional security interoperability and its pivotal role in leading the Caricom Joint Task Force’s involvement in the UN-sanctioned multinational security support mission to Haiti.