Major (Maj) Zavian A PHIPPS, serves as the Acting Commanding Officer at the College of Professional Military Education (CPME), where he is responsible for advancing the academic and professional development of the force.

Major Phipps began his distinguished military career in 2006 when he joined the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF). After completing Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. His exemplary performance earned him the Physical Fitness Award and recognition as the runner-up International Honour Graduate during the Infantry Basic Officer Leadership Course. His exceptional achievements secured him a place at the prestigious US Army Ranger School.

His early military assignments included serving as a Platoon Commander in the First Battalion The Jamaica Regiment (1JR). He later qualified as a Basic Operator for the Special Operations Unit, the Counter Terrorism Operations Group (C-TOG), where he held roles such as Troop Commander, Training Officer, Operations Officer, and Acting Officer Commanding.

Major Phipps has served in various leadership capacities throughout his career, including Adjutant in the Support and Services Battalion, Acting Officer Commanding of the Military Police Company, Training Officer and Directing Staff for the Caribbean Junior Command and Staff Course, Aide-de-Camp to the Chief of Defence Staff, Officer Commanding Alpha and Headquarters Company of the Second Battalion The Jamaica Regiment, Directing Staff at the Tactics School, Combat Training Centre in Gagetown, Canada, Detachment Commander at the Caribbean Institute of Professional Military Education, Officer Commanding Charlie Company of the First Battalion The Jamaica Regiment, Second in Command of the Jamaica Joint Task Force – Haiti, and Contingent G3 Operations for CARICOM Joint Task Force – Haiti.

His comprehensive military education spans numerous specialized courses, including the Young Officer’s Course in Jamaica, the Caribbean Junior Command and Staff Course, an Advanced Special Operations Officer Course in China, a United Nations Staff Officer Course in Guatemala, and a Managing Defence in the Wider Security Context course in Antigua.

Major Phipps holds an impressive array of academic qualifications, including a Master of Science in Security and Risk Management from the University of Leicester, UK, a Master of Science in Human Resource Management, a Master of Business Administration (MBA), and a Master in Management and Team Management (MIM) from ENEB School of Business, Barcelona, Spain.

He is a recipient of the Military Commendation Medal and the Medal of Honour for General Service. His career reflects a steadfast commitment to leadership, military excellence, and continuous professional development, making him a distinguished figure in the Jamaica Defence Force.