Jarmila Jackson, Features Writer

Members of the Jamaica Defence Force's (JDF) Second Battalion - the Jamaica Regiment (Charlie Company) at Up Park Camp yesterday as they prepare to leave for Northern Ireland on a training exchange. One hundred and forty members of the JDF are on the exchange, with the British soldiers also scheduled to arrive yesterday - Andrew Smith/Photography Editor

There is a mixture of moods at the square of the base at Up Park Camp, Kingston, as 115 soldiers of the Jamaica Defence Force prepare to board the buses that will take them to the airport. Some are chattering in excitement, others are quietly reflective, but none seem nervous or shaken, regardless of the fact that for a number of them this is their first time they are leaving the country.

The Second Battalion the Jamaica Regiment (Charlie Company) is on its way to a six-week exchange training course in Northern Ireland, where they will be exposed to various methods of British military training. The bulk of their British counterparts, some of whom are already in the island, will arrive almost precisely when they leave.

"All ranks will be represented," said Colonel Paul Collingwood Dunn. "From lieutenant colonel down to private, the hierarchy of the whole company will be there."

Representing the region

He estimated the range of the soldiers leaving to be between age 18 and 27. Soldiers from Belize, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados will also be present.

Out of the total 140 soldiers attending, 25 of whom have already departed, there are only two women - 24-year-old Sashadean Brown is one of them. She has not seen her family in more than a month and was hurrying to make her final phone call to them before leaving the country.

"It's sad, because I haven't seen them in a while, just making a phone call isn't enough, I would like to hug them and maybe get a kiss, but I guess I'll have to wait another six weeks to see them," she said.

Colonel Dunn addressed the group before they left, commanding their attention with authority in his tone.

"You're going to be tired, but keep your wits about you, you are soldiers and you will have to work under these conditions," he said. He was quite serious when he warned that he would leave anyone caught smuggling illegal substances in the hands of the British police. The soldiers will return on July 2.

jarmila.jackson@gleanerjm.com