RBR And JDF Strengthen Regional Ties
Governor Andrew Murdoch and Royal Bermuda Regiment [RBR] leaders met with Jamaica Defence Force [JDF] counterparts during Exercise Rum Runner 2025 to discuss shared defence priorities, gender inclusion, and strategic planning.
A spokesperson said, “His Excellency the Governor and Royal Bermuda Regiment leadership engage Jamaica Defence Force counterparts during Exercise Rum Runner 2025, exploring shared defence priorities, gender inclusion, and strategic planning.
“Opportunities for the Royal Bermuda Regiment to work more closely with the Jamaica Defence Force were explored when high-level talks were held between the two organisations to discuss common goals and challenges.
“His Excellency the Governor, Andrew Murdoch, the RBR’s Commander-in-Chief, was welcomed last week by Vice Admiral Antonette Wemyss-Gorman, the JDF’s Chief of Defence Staff.
“He was joined by Lieutenant-Colonel Duncan Simons, the regiment’s Commanding Officer, Honorary Colonel David Gibbons and Maj [Ret] William Madeiros, the chairman of the defence board.
“VAdm Wemyss-Gorman is known as an international trailblazer in military leadership who, in 2022, became the first woman to serve as CDS for the JDF and the second in history to command a national army.
“She and members of her senior leadership team met the Bermudian delegation while the RBR took part in Exercise Rum Runner 2025, its annual overseas exercise.
“A key area of discussion was the execution of security and defence reviews – particularly relevant for the regiment in light of the Throne Speech commitment this year to refresh the 2014 document produced for Bermuda.
“VAdm Wemyss-Gorman is the force lead and chief editor of the JDF Strategic Defence Review for 2017 – 2037 and led its update in 2021.
“She shared with the Governor lessons learned from conducting the review, notably the need to ensure input from stakeholders that can offer advanced-technology alternatives to existing practices.”
“As work starts on shaping the approach to Bermuda’s security and defence review, over ten years on from the last exercise of this kind, it was invaluable to hear from those involved in the recent Jamaica Defence Force review,” Mr Murdoch said.
“While the JDF is significantly larger than the RBR, as an island nation there are many lessons we can learn from their experiences.
“I was particularly struck by the recommendation that we ensure we tap into those with knowledge of cutting-edge technology to identify potential new options to respond to security and defence risks that we face now and in the future.
“We should look to continue the dialogue we started in this visit.”
The spokesperson said, “Talks at the meeting also included the topic of gender representation so that the regiment may learn from approaches taken by the JDF to ensure women are appropriately considered for training and appointments.
“They also touched on the Jamaica National Service Corps, which was established in 2017 and is the standard mode of enlistment for people joining the JDF to serve as full- time soldiers.
“The JNSC was designed to develop the life skills and character of individuals over a one-year period of service.
“Its framework makes members eligible candidates not only for the JDF but for careers in a variety of uniformed services as well as other public and private sector agencies.”
Lt Col Simons said: “The regiment has a long history of exchanges with the JDF and training in Jamaica dating back to the 1960s. As we had not trained in Jamaica for nine years, it was important for us to re-engage.
“VAdm Wemyss-Gorman’s warm welcome and support for continuing and growing this relationship promises to strengthen both organisations, be it through exchanges of personnel to broaden experience, courses or sharing of best practice.
“The big picture is that on many levels we face similar challenges to the JDF. We hope to deepen our connections, share knowledge and learn from their experience where we can.”
The spokesperson said, “His Excellency the Governor’s brief trip also included a visit to the RBR Band and Corps of Drums, which trained and performed with the Jamaica Regiment Band and the Jamaican Military Band during the exercise.
“He later took part in a patrol alongside infantry soldiers who were based at Titchfield Camp and stopped in on members of the RBR Coast Guard, who were attached to the Second District JDF Coast Guard.
“For information on joining the Royal Bermuda Regiment, visit rbr.bm, call 238- 1045 or contact the Recruiting Team at rbr.recruiting@gov.bm.”
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