Major General Rocky Meade, with the approval of the Defence Board, has promoted two lieutenant colonels, two commanders and one major to the ranks of colonel, captain (Naval) and lieutenant colonel, respectively. The promotions took effect yesterday.

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

The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) said 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 David Chin Fong has more than 26 years of service to the JDF and is currently acting as inspector general. His previous appointments include commanding officer of the Support & Services Battalion, staff officer in charge of Personnel & Administration and commanding officer of the JDF Coast Guard.

Captain 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, acting commanding officer of the JDF Air Wing and deputy drector 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 commanding officer, Headquarters JDF, 1 Engineer Regiment and commanding officer 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 force chaplain has ever attained in the JDF.

Brigadier David Cummings, deputy chief of defence staff and second in command of the JDF, is set to retire from the army when he proceeds on pre-retirement leave in July, an army release said.