Web Site of the Jamaica Defence Force

In what could be described as perfect weather conditions, one hundred and thirteen young men commenced their journey into the Jamaica Defence Force at a Passing Out Parade on 11 December 2009 at the Moneague Training Camp, St Ann.

Family members from near and far came out in their hundreds to see their love ones graduate after spending fourteen weeks in training.

The crowd grew excited as the Training Depot Sergeant Major; Warrant Officer Class Two Clinton Brown brought the parade to attention. The spectators were in awe as he halted the men on the Battalion square.

It wasn’t long before he handed over the parade to the Training Officer Lieutenant Stephen Brown who was waiting in the wings. Lt Brown took over as the men awaited the arrival of the Reviewing Officer Major General Stewart Saunders.

Major General Stewart Saunders (Chief of Defence Staff and Reviewing Officer)
congratulating members of Intake 101 at their graduation ceremony.

After about fifteen minutes the master of ceremony Major Ricardo Blackwood advised the gathering that the Reviewing Officer would be arriving via helicopter.

Soon after, the helicopter with Major General Saunders touched down with the parade at full attention.

The Reviewing Officer was met by the Commanding Officer the Second Battalion the Jamaica Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Sewell, who escorted him to the saluting dias to be presented with the General Salute.

After he received the General Salute he then went on to inspect members of Intake 101. This was done to the sweet playing of the songs, “Lignum Vitae” and “Jamaican Airs”, by the Jamaica Military Band and The Corps of Drums of the Second Battalion the Jamaica Regiment.

Scores of family members and friends came out to see their loved ones Pass
off the Parade Square as trained soldiers at the Passing
Out Parade at Moneague Training Camp.

The Training Officer then invited the Reviewing Officer to make a presentation to members of the Intake who excelled in different areas in Training.

One of the most significant awards handed out was that of Best Recruit. This was awarded to Private Michael Williams of number one platoon, who is from Shelly Road Bamboo, St Ann.

“I would say the training was reasonable, everything that we did applies to combat training which helps to build ourselves,” said a proud Private Williams.

Other individual awards were given for Runner-up Best Recruit, Academic Award, Runner-up Academic Award, Best Shot, Runner-up Best Shot, Catherine’s Peak Race winner and Runner-up Catherine’s Peak winner.

Private Michael Williams collecting his trophy from the Chief of Defence Staff,
after copping the top award “BEST RECRUIT” at the
Passing Out Parade of Intake 101.

He welcomed them to the JDF’s family and told them that they have entered the Force at the best and worst of times.

Best because they have survived and been successful at the training regime they were subjected to, but worst of times because the levels of criminality and violence being experienced in our society require that the JDF is at the forefront in assisting the Jamaica Constabulary Force in the maintenance of law and order.

He implored them to heed the JDF’s core values and to let these values be a constant influence in their lives.

Blessing was offered to the Recruits by the Force Chaplin Reverent Captain Denston Smalling.

The parade ended with the recruit marching off the square with the playing of the song “Auld Lang Syne”.

Lieutenant Stephen Brown, Training Officer, along with the instructors Staff
and members of Intake 101 marching off the square, after giving a fine
display of drill to everyone present at the graduation ceremony.