JDF Counts down to International Women’s Day

 

IT’S TIIIIIIIIME! HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2023!

International Women’s Day (IWD) celebrates the very essence of women all over the world. This day marks the importance of why women should be treated equally and equitably without any bias or prejudice.

The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) joins in this celebration as we pause to recognize the inspiring and powerful women who serve at all levels within our organization.

We salute all women in law enforcement and all women across the island who continue to support our mandate to create a safer Jamaica.

 

Lance Corporal (LCpl) Stephanie Palmer was born in the parish of Kingston and later moved to Nassau, Bahamas, where she received her primary and secondary level education. It was during this time that she started her early career as a musician.

In August 2018, she began her tertiary journey at Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.

In October 2019, she enlisted in the JDF as the first female Professional Entry Enlisted Rank (PEER) in the Department of Music.

Upon completion of her basic training, she was posted to the Jamaica Military Band (JMB), Support & Services Battalion (SSB) as a Professional Clarinettist and also a vocalist in the JDF Pop Band.

In October 2020, she completed her Junior Leadership Qualification Course (JLQC) and was promoted to the rank of Local Lance Corporal in April 2021.

During her tenure as a musician, she has had the opportunity to perform at most diplomatic and state functions. She is also a part-time instructor at the Caribbean Military Academy (CMA).

We laud the musical talents of LCpl Stephanie Palmer.

Petty Officer Diana Drummond Thomas is the first female Class 1 Coxswain in the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard (JDF CG).

She was born in Moneague, St Ann where she attended the Moneague Primary and Junior High and Ferncourt High Schools. After her secondary studies, she attended the Runaway Bay Heart Academy where she graduated with a certificate in Entertainment Coordination in June 2007.

In February 2008, she enlisted in the Jamaica Defence Force where she has made steady progress in developing her career.

She has successfully completed a Supervisory Management Course and military courses including: Boatswain’s Mate “A” School, C1 Seamanship Course, Military Police Course, Naval Boarding Party Course, Systematic Search Course, Waterside Port Security Course, Safe Boat Course, Advanced Small Boat Operation, Communication & Information Technology Basic Course, Boarding Team Member Course (United States), Patrol Craft Coxswain Course, Military Service Funds Course and Senior Non-Commission Officer Cadre.

She has served in different appointments while at the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard and and other Units including: Class 1 Coxswain, Naval Police at the Port Royal Base, Instructor on Recruit Intakes at the Military Training Wing and an Instructor at the Caribbean Military Martine Training Centre (CMMTC), Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard (JDF CG) HMJS CAGWAY, Port Royal.

She was promoted to Petty Officer on May 1st 2020.

Bravo Zulu Petty Officer Drummond Thomas!

Cpl Julene JARRETT was born in the parish of St Ann where she attended the Watt Town
Primary and Browns Town High Schools.

She began her Military Service as a Recruit on 9th Oct 2011, during her Recruit training she was awarded the best Female Recruit. She attended the 0-C3 Pay Duties and All Arms Service Funds Course where she was the top student.

She was then posted to the Support and Services Battalion (SSB) in April 2014, where she was employed as a Pay Clerk. She was placed at JNR pay cell as an Assistant Pay Clerk. She was then promoted to Lance Corporal due to her exceptional performance.

In 2016, she attended the C3-C2 Military Pay Clerk Course where she was the 1st Runner-up student. In 2017, she attended the C2-C1 Pay duties course where she was also the 1st Runner-up on that Course. In May 2021, she was promoted to the rank of Acting Corporal. She was then transferred to Jamaica Military Pay 2 (JMP2).

Cpl Jarrett’s duties include: Head of Cell for 1 Engt Regt and HSC Battalion and assistant and overseeing JMP2.

Cpl Jarrett is a medal recipient since 2018. She was a member of the Femi Fetal Jamaica Tattoo and she has also represented the JDF overseas.

Today, we recognise Cpl Jarrett, a dedicated female servicemember of the JDF.

Local Corporal (L/Cpl) Tania WILSON was born in the parish of St Ann. She received her primary and secondary education at the Golden Grove All-Age and Ferncourt High Schools respectively.
She was enlisted in the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) in September 2014. On completion of her basic training, she was posted at the Second Battalion The Jamaica Regiment (2 JR).
During her tenure at 2 JR, she was employed as a Rifleman at Headquarter Company (HQ Coy). While there, she developed a profound interest in military communication. Subsequently, she was granted approval to sit a Signals Aptitude Test, the result of which, would confirm her selection to attend a 0 – C3 Radio Operator Signals Cadre.
Between 2017 to 2019, she completed Levels 2 and 3 in Motor Vehicle Repairs at the Jamaica German Automotive School (JAGAS). This certification led to her placement at the Support and Services Battalion JDF Workshop in September 2019.
She is also a certified instructor for the Junior Leader Qualification Course following her successful completion of the Instructor Course 2022/01 in 2022.
L/Cpl WILSON has participated in several military courses including: Junior Leader Qualification, Motor Vehicle Repairs (Diploma), 0 – C3 Plant Operator, and two (2) driving cadres (basic and upgrading).
We celebrate L/Cpl WILSON, a multifaceted servicemember of the Jamaica Defence Force.

 

 

Sgt Simone FRANCIS is from the parish of St. Catherine where she attended the Charlemont High School.
She enlisted in the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) on the 26th January 2003.
On completion of her training, she was posted to the 5 Maintenance Squadron, 1 Engineer Regiment JDF where she worked as an electrician within the Electrical Department.
She was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal in 2005 after successfully completing the Potential Non Commission Officer Cadre (PNCO).
During her tenure at 1ER, she attained the rank of Corporal in 2015 after completing the Junior Non-Commission Officer Cadre (JNCO).
On completion of the Senior Non Commission Officer Cadre (SNCO) 2019 she was promoted to the rank of Sergeant that same year and was then transferred to the Directorate of Training and Doctrine and posted to the sub-unit of CITC.
She was then attached to the Jamaica Combined Cadet Force (JCCF) as a Permanent Staff Instructor (PSI) in 2020.
Sgt FRANCIS is a recipient of the Medal of Honour for General Service with Clasp ‘Jamaica 2018’ and the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.
Over Sgt FRANCIS’ career, she successfully completed various professional military courses locally including: PNCO, Life Guard, Basic Combat Engineer, Electrical Installation Levels 1 & 2 (Certificate), Electrical Maintenance Level 3 (Diploma), Instructor Course, Electrical Installation Inspection Level 4 (Assoc. Degree), Training and Development-Assessor Level 4 (Assoc. Degree) and Electrical Installation Inspection Level 5 (Bachelor Degree).
The JDF recognises a phenomenal servicemember, Sgt Simone FRANCIS.

 

International Women’s Day will be celebrated on 8 March 2023.
The Jamaica Defence Force will begin our celebration of this international Day with features of our female servicemembers.
Today, we feature Corporal Noelle WISDOM.
Corporal Noelle Wisdom hails from the parish of St. Ann.
She is an alumnus of the St. Ann’s Bay Primary and Ferncourt High School. At the tertiary level, she was trained at the Caribbean School of Media and Communication (CARIMAC) and the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.
She has fifteen (15) years of service in the Jamaica Defence Force. Her military career commenced at the 2nd Battalion The Jamaica Regiment, where she served as an Infanteer for seven years.
Currently, she is the Force’s chief photographer, graphic designer, and desktop publisher.
She was integral in the design and build-out of and is the Principal Instructor for the Military Image Technician Course. She has successfully instructed more than forty (40) soldiers for the benefit of the Force’s imaging needs. She has also travelled to several countries to perform military duties as a Military Image Technician.
Cpl WISDOM is the recipient of the Medal of Honour for General Service with clasp 2018.
We applaud Cpl Wisdom for her sterling service to the Jamaica Defence Force.