Warrant Officer Class One (WO1) Garfield Fitzgerald Rowe was appointed as the Regimental Sergeant Major of the Support and Services Battalion (SSB) in November 2009 after serving in the Second Battalion The Jamaica Regiment as the Regimental Sergeant Major. Warrant Officer Class One is the highest rank of the enlisted corps.  

He was enlisted in the Jamaica Defence Force in May 1985 and posted to the First Battalion The Jamaica Regiment (1 JR) as a rifleman in Delta Company. Having completed the Basic General Duties Clerical Course, he was later transferred to the Battalion Headquarters. Thereafter, he was promoted to the ranks of Lance Corporal in 1989, Corporal in 1991, Sergeant in 1994, Staff Sergeant in 2002 and Warrant Officer Class Two in 2003.  

Garfield Rowe was born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1964. He received his initial education at a basic school in Andover Hants, in England and Allman Town Primary, in Kingston, Jamaica. He received secondary education at Kingston Secondary and Ardenne High Schools.  Whilst at Ardenne High, he was a member of the Jamaica Combined Cadet Force (JCCF) where he attained the rank of Warrant Officer Class One (W01) and was the first cadet to be promoted and appointed Regimental Sergeant Major for the First Battalion, Jamaica Combined Cadet Force.  He continued serving with the JCCF, whilst taking on additional studies at St Georges College before joining the JDF.

Through interest, dedication, and discipline, he has acquired notable skills and qualifications in such areas as Human Resource Development & Organizational Effectiveness; Leadership and Motivation; Training & Instructional Techniques; Planning, Organizing and Coordinating Seminars; and Communication Techniques.

WO1 Rowe successfully completed eight comprehensive military courses, including Basic, Intermediate and Advance Clerical Course; Section Commander Battle Course; Platoon Sergeant Battle Course; Warrant Officer Refresher Course; and Regimental Sergeant Majors Course.

WO1 Rowe has had the distinct honour of being deployed in overseas missions. In 1991, he was sent as part of a peace keeping force to Trinidad and Tobago during the attempted coup of the President.  He continued to work in peace keeping missions when in 1995 he was employed as the first Automation Senior Non-Commissioned Officer in a United Nations Mission in Haiti. 

WO1 Rowe is a very rounded individual having been privileged to serve in various capacities in the JDF. His humbling experience comes from his appointments as a Rifleman, Cook, General Duties Clerk, Chief Clerk, Computer Instructor, Warrant Officer in charge of Cadre Training, Warrant Officer in charge at the JDF Information System Centre, Company Sergeant Major, and Drill Sergeant Major. He also held the appointments as Chief Clerk for the Caribbean Island Security Conference (CINSEC) and the Caribbean Junior Command and Staff Course (CJCSC) in 1997.

RSM Rowe holds three diplomas: one in Supervisory Management and two in Computer Analysis. He is currently pursuing a first degree in Human Resource Management at the University College of the Caribbean.

RSM Rowe is a recipient of the Medal of Honour for Long Service and Good Conduct; General Service Medal for service rendered during the United Nations Mission in Haiti; and the Medal of Honour from the United Nation for duties performed on Operation “Restore Democracy” in Haiti.

RSM Rowe is an avid sportsman. He has a particular passion for football (plays on the JDF Master League Team) and volleyball. He enjoys listening to music and dancing. He is the proud father of four children, two boys and two girls.