The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) yesterday announced the promotion of five senior officers to the ranks of colonel, captain (naval), and lieutenant colonel, effective immediately.

The promoted officers are Lieutenant Colonels Martin Rickman and Mahatma William, Commanders David Chin Fong and Antonette Wemyss-Gorman. Major Denton Smalling has been promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel.

The JDF news release also indicated that Brigadier David Cummings, the deputy chief of defence staff and second in command of the JDF, was set to retire from the force when he proceeds on pre-retirement leave in July. Brigadier Cummings has more than 30 years of service in the JDF.

Colonel Martin Rickman is currently seconded to the Housing, Opportunities, Production and Employment (HOPE) programme at the Office of the Prime Minister. He joined the JDF in 1990 and has since served in several capacities, most recently as the commanding officer (CO) for the 1 Engineer Regiment.

Captain David Chin Fong has more than 26 years of service with the force and is currently acting as inspector general of the JDF.

Captain Antonette Wemyss-Gorman is commanding officer of the JDF Coast Guard and has been a member of the JDF since 1992. Her professional experience includes appointments as commandant of the Caribbean Military Maritime Training Centre, acting commanding officer of the JDF Air Wing, and deputy director of marine transport at the Ministry of Transport and Works.

Colonel Mahatma Williams joined the JDF in 1993 and is currently acting as colonel general staff. He has previously served as CO, Headquarters JDF, 1 Engineer Regiment, and CO of the directorate of training and doctrine.

Lieutenant Colonel Denton Smalling has served as the JDF's chaplain since his enlistment in 2006. His promotion marks the highest rank that a force chaplain has ever attained in the JDF.