KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Defence force (JDF) has announced the promotion of several senior officers effective today.

According to a release from the JDF, Major General Rocky Meade, with the approval of the Defence Board, has promoted two Lieutenant Colonels (Lt Col), two Commanders (Cdr) and one Major to the ranks of Colonel, Captain (Naval) and Lieutenant Colonel respectively.

The promoted officers are Lieutenant Colonels Martin Rickman and Mahatma Williams and Commanders David Chin Fong and Antoinette Wemyss-Gorman while Major Denton Smalling has also been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

See full release below:

Major General Rocky Meade, with the approval of the Defence Board, has promoted two Lieutenant Colonels (Lt Col), two Commanders (Cdr) and one Major to the ranks of Colonel, Captain (Naval) and Lieutenant Colonel respectively effective May 25th, 2018.

The promoted officers are Lieutenant Colonels Martin Rickman and Mahatma Williams and Commanders David Chin Fong and Antoinette Wemyss-Gorman while Major (Maj) Denton Smalling has also been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Brigadier David Cummings, Deputy Chief of Defence Staff and Second in Command of the JDF, is set to retire from the organisation, when he proceeds on pre-retirement leave in July.

Colonel Martin Rickman is currently seconded to the Housing, Opportunities, Production and Employment (HOPE) programme at the Office of the Prime Minister.

He joined the Jamaica Defence Force in 1990 and has since served in several capacities, most recently as the Commanding Officer (CO) for the 1 Engineer Regiment.

Captain (N) David Chin Fong has over 26 years of service to the organization and is currently acting as Inspector General of the JDF. His previous appointments include CO of the Support & Services Battalion, Staff Office in Charge of Personnel & Administration and CO of the JDF Coast Guard.

Captain (N) Antoinette Wemyss-Gorman is Commanding Officer of the JDF Coast Guard and has been a member of the JDF since 1992. Her professional experience includes appointments as Commandant of the Caribbean Military Maritime Training Centre (CMMTC), Acting Commanding Officer of the JDF Air Wing and Deputy Director of Marine Transport at the Ministry of Transport and Works.

Colonel Mahatma Williams joined the JDF in 1993 and is currently acting as Colonel General Staff. He has previously served as CO, Headquarters JDF, 1 Engineer Regiment and CO of the Directorate of Training and Doctrine.

Lieutenant Colonel Denston Smalling has served as the JDF’s Chaplain since his enlistment in 2006. His promotion marks the highest rank that a Force Chaplain has ever attained in the JDF.

Brigadier David Cummings has over 30 years of service to the JDF. His career includes appointments as Adjutant Quartermaster, Col General Staff, CO JDF Air Wing and CO 1 Engineer Regiment (JDF).

As CO 1 Engineer Regiment he oversaw the completion of several large national projects, including the Metcalfe Street Secure Juvenile Facility, and the new Falmouth Police Station. He served for more than ten years at the JDF Air Wing as Second-in-Command. He has also been the Detachment Commander (Station Manager) for the JPS Rockfort Diesel Station.