Vice Admiral (VAdm) Antonette Wemyss-Gorman is an international trailblazer in military leadership. In January 2022, she became the only female head of an armed force globally when she was appointed Chief of Defence Staff of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF). With 33 years of distinguished service in the JDF; she has been honoured with numerous accolades, including the Order of Distinction (Commander Class), the Medal of Honour for Meritorious Service, the Military Commendation Medal and the Medal of Honour for General Service by the Government of Jamaica.

She currently serves as the Chair of the Women in Peace and Security, Chiefs of Defence Network (WPS CHODs) with notable international awards such as: the Admiral Padilla Order of Naval Medal (Grand Cross) awarded by the Colombian Navy in 2023 and the Officer Legion of Honour Medal (the highest honour that can be awarded to a foreign national) by the French Republic in 2024. She was also listed as one of the Top 10 Women who made History in 2022 by the World Economic Forum and recognized for her leadership with multiple awards from the United Way Women Leadership Initiative, Women in Caribbean Maritime Association and the Mona School of Business Management (University of the West Indies).

A specialist in Maritime Security, she trained at several elite military institutions, including the Royal Naval College in the UK and the US Naval War College. Her career at sea included key deployments to Haiti, the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, Cayman Island, Curacao, and other islands on multiple military and diplomatic missions. 

VAdm Wemyss-Gorman has lead various transformations in the JDF.  She has modernized the standards of the JDF Coast Guard through the establishment of the Caribbean Maritime Training Centre, now School of Maritime Studies in 2012.  As Force Executive Officer, she led the review of the Strategic Defence Review of the Force which charts its course through 2037.  She is also Vice Chancellor of the Caribbean Military Academy and Chairperson of the Jamaica Combined Cadet Force Committee.

VAdm Wemyss-Gorman was appointed Commanding Officer of the JDF Coast Guard and attained the rank of Commander in 2014, making her the first female to command a Unit in the JDF. Her last operational command was Brigade Commander of the Maritime Air and Cyber Command, a unique formation which she was responsible for establishing as the Force was being transformed into a division size.

Other notable appointments include: a secondment to the Ministry of Transport and Works as Deputy Director for Maritime Transport, appointments to the Fisheries Advisory Board, the National Council on Ocean and Coastal Zone Management, and the National COVID-19 Response Advisory Committee.

VAdm Wemyss-Gorman holds a Master’s Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the University of the West Indies (Mona). She remains dedicated to mentorship for young women and girls and in her spare time, she enjoys gardening, and diverse cuisine.