There continues to be strong interest in the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) national recruitment drive now under way, with figures showing the number of people turning out for the exercise in Port Maria, St Mary, more than doubling by the second day yesterday.

"The recruitment has been going very well. We had more than 1,000 people at the recruitment centre at the Whitehorne Barracks on the first day, and that number has significantly doubled, almost tripling on the second day," revealed Major Basil Jarrett, the army's civil military cooperation and media affairs officer.

He told The Gleaner that he was expecting even larger numbers at the other recruitment centres.

Persons in western Jamaica will have their chance to be selected when the JDF swings into Montego Bay,

St James for another two days of recruiting on Thursday and Friday.

Central Jamaica will get their opportunity on Monday and Tuesday of next week, and according to Jarrett, it is an opportunity for young people to seek a solid career, one that will help in the discipline of the nation.

He pointed out, however, that while the number of people coming out for recruitment was encouraging, it will be a long process before arriving at a final selection, as several factors will be considered in the final analysis - including stringent security vetting, as well as specific academic, medical and physical requirements.

"This is just the start of a very strict vetting process really, but so far it is going as well as can be expected," said the Major.

"We are actually expecting an increase in these numbers coming to us at all the other centres in the coming days, as we move into next week and, of course, with that come some solid recruits. We are encouraged," reasoned Major Jarrett.