KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, Senator Pearnel Charles Jnr, says that recruitment of Jamaicans into the new youth arm of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) — the Jamaica National Service Corps (JNSC) — could begin as early as this month.

“We do know that the Chief of Defence Staff (Major General Rocky Meade) and his team are putting in place the systems to start the programme as early as this month, subject to the passing of the Bill,” he told the Senate yesterday afternoon.

The Bill was passed after a lengthy debate in the Senate, piloted by Charles. It was unanimously accepted by both sides of the House of Representatives on April 12, piloted by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who is also the Minister of Defence.

It creates a third arm of the JDF, similar to the regular force and the National Reserves, into which about 700 Jamaicans are expected to be drafted this year, increasing the army’s annual intake to 1,000.

JNSC soldiers will be remunerated accordingly, be separate in identity and fully provided for in law. Those who do not meet the enrollment requirements will be directed to other programmes, such as the Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP), for further skills training.

The programme is one of several initiatives introduced by the government to reduce unemployment and idleness among Jamaica’s youth population.

Balford Henry