Warrant Officer Class One (WO1) S V Groucher

Master Chief Petty Officer Class One (MCPO1) Stephen Groucher joined the Jamaica Defence Force  in September 1987 after graduating from the McGrath High School.  On completion of his initial recruit training at the Training Depot in New Castle,  he was attached to the Second Battalion Jamaica Regiment as a rifleman.  After spending three months at Charlie Company, he was posted to the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard, which was renamed as the First District Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard (1^st Dist JDF CG).

On completion of his basic seamanship course he was attached to HMJS Holland Bay (P5) as number four seaman.  After the first year on board cutter Holland Bay he was transferred to the operations and communications department where was trained as a marine radio Operator.  At this department he was trained in areas such as Maritime Law Enforcement, Maritime Broadcasting, Maritime Navigation, Search and Rescue GMDSS and in other areas of maritime training.

He served as Radio Operator on all Bay Class Point Class, Fort Class, Hero Class and County Class Vessels, he also served as Chief Radio Supervisor, Regulating Chief Petty Officer and Officer in Charge of Outstations.  MCPO1 Groucher attended and successfully completed several military courses which include Potential, Junior and Senior Non Commissioned Officers courses, Warrant Officers course, Regimental Signals Instructors course, Advance Drill Course.

He also a Man Power, Personnel Training and Education course at the NETSAFA International Training Naval Air Station in Pensacola Florida United States of America  an Supervisory Management Course at the Management Institute of National Development (MIND). 

After serving 23 yrs at the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard.

He was promoted the rank of Staff Sergeant and transferred to Support and Services Battalion, Up Park Camp in July 2010 where he served as the SNCO in charge of communications at the Communication and Information Systems Company.  He was promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer Class Two in July 2013 and posted to the First Battalion The Jamaica Regiment as the Regimental Signal Warrant Officer.  He was promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer Class One in July 2014 and posted  to the Support and Services Battalion where he serves as the Acting Platoon Commander of the Communication Platoon at the Communication and Information Systems Company and the Forces Signals Warrant Officer.  He was later served as the Regimental Sergeant Major at the Directorate of Training and Doctrine from January 2019 to February 2020.  MCPO1 Groucher currently serves as the Regulating Master Chief of 1^st Dist JDF CG.

He is the proud recipient of the medal of honuor for meritorius service in 2017 the medal of honour for General Service in 2019 and Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.

MCPO1 Groucher is married with two children, he enjoys making furniture.  His hobbies are playing football, nature walks and swimming.