- Norman GrindleyMajor General John Simmonds, left, wishes Jamaica Defence Force's new Chief of Staff, Major General (Rear Admiral) Hardley Lewin, good luck at the change of command ceremony at Up Park Camp, Kingston, yesterday.
Petulia Clarke, Staff Reporter
THE NEWEST head of the Jamaican army is resolute. He is leaving no doubt as to the direction he intends to take and has declared that failure has no place in the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF).
"We must clearly understand that in the hour of danger and difficulty, when called upon, failure on our part is not an option," incoming Chief of Staff, Major General (Rear Admiral) Hardley Lewin, said yesterday.
He said that he hopes to transform the JDF into a high quality professional defence force, one characterised by a culture cemented in integrity, honour, courage, discipline, commitment and loyalty.
Major General Lewin, who officially takes command of the JDF today, said that while the army has "a demanding and challenging period up ahead", his vision is to have the Force "valued by the nation."
"My vision is for a defence force that is ready and capable of conducting a range of operations, to protect our national interests and the well-being of citizens," he said. "How we organise, equip and train our force, and how we deal with challenges will be a measurement of our usefulness to the nation."
He was speaking at the change of command ceremony for the Chief of Staff at Up Park Camp, Kingston.
Major General Lewin, who becomes the eighth Chief of Staff since Independence, takes over the position from Major General John Simmonds, who will go on pre-retirement leave starting today after serving 36 years in the JDF.
"I am reminding you that the public expects us to be good and kind," he said. "Good deeds carried out effectively by a majority of the members of this force are easily wiped out by the inappropriate actions of a few. We must seek viable alternatives, and effect the necessary changes to the status quo, while recognising and preserving the good from the past in order to build on the solid base of experience."
He encouraged the members to "continue to extol and promote the virtues of being different, and resist any social trend that creates a corrosive divide between the values of today's society and successful military culture."
And while calling it "an honour to have stood at the helm of the JDF", Major General Simmonds said that the organisation must develop new capabilities, pursue new strategies and embrace the new technologies "that are being spawned by the agile information age". He, however, promised that the new head of the army will have a JDF staffed by patriotic men and women who serve their country with pride.
On April 17, Major General Lewin, who was Colonel Adjutant Quartermaster of the JDF, was named as the new Chief of Staff of the JDF to replace Major General John Simmonds. Prime Minister P. J. Patterson made the announcement following a meeting of the JDF Board at Jamaica House.
Last month, Opposition Leader Edward Seaga welcomed the appointment of Major General Lewin. Mr. Seaga said in a letter to the Major General that he believed Major General Lewin would bring to his new position the leadership, experience and vision required to strengthen 'as well as make the necessary changes for the betterment of the JDF'. He assured Major General Lewin of his party's full co-operation. The new Chief of Staff, up to recently, served as the Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard.
