Cayman Regiment
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

The Cayman Islands Regiment is the home defence unit of the British Overseas Territory of the Cayman Islands. It is a single
territorial A territory is an area of land, sea, or space, particularly belonging or connected to a country, person, or animal. In international politics, a territory is usually either the total area from which a state may extract power resources or a ...
infantry Infantry is a military specialization which engages in ground combat on foot. Infantry generally consists of light infantry, mountain infantry, motorized infantry & mechanized infantry, airborne infantry, air assault infantry, and mar ...
and
engineer Engineers, as practitioners of engineering, are professionals who invent, design, analyze, build and test machines, complex systems, structures, gadgets and materials to fulfill functional objectives and requirements while considering the limit ...
battalion A battalion is a military unit, typically consisting of 300 to 1,200 soldiers commanded by a lieutenant colonel, and subdivided into a number of companies (usually each commanded by a major or a captain). In some countries, battalions a ...
of the British Armed Forces that was formed in 2020.


History


2019

On 12 October 2019, the government announced the formation of the Cayman Islands Regiment, a new British Armed Forces unit. The Cayman Islands Regiment was planned to become operational in 2020, with an initial 35–50 personnel of mostly reservists that are locally recruited and likely initially trained as engineers. The expected growth of the Regiment is expected to see an increase of personnel to several hundred. One of the main goals of the Regiment would be humanitarian relief, responding to natural disasters on the islands as well as regionally to events such as hurricanes. However, the Regiment is to be assisted by the UK Ministry of Defence and Foreign and Commonwealth Office and is likely to be in the form of logistical advice and support and further along include operational training and equipment. It was said to be in ways similar to the
Royal Bermuda Regiment The Royal Bermuda Regiment (RBR), formerly the Bermuda Regiment, is the home defence unit of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda. It is a single Territorial Army (United Kingdom), territorial infantry battalion#British Army, battalion tha ...
, the
Royal Gibraltar Regiment The Royal Gibraltar Regiment is part of British Forces Gibraltar for the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. It was formed in 1958 from the Gibraltar Defence Force as an infantry unit, with an integrated artillery troop. The regiment is ...
, the
Falkland Islands Defence Force The Falkland Islands Defence Force (FIDF) is the locally maintained volunteer defence unit in the Falkland Islands, a British Overseas Territory. The FIDF works alongside the military units supplied by the United Kingdom to ensure the security ...
and
Royal Montserrat Defence Force The Royal Montserrat Defence Force is the home defence unit of the British Overseas Territory of Montserrat. History Raised in 1899, the unit is today a reduced force of about forty volunteer soldiers, primarily concerned with civil Defence and ...
and is to be linked with the
British Army The British Army is the principal land warfare force of the United Kingdom, a part of the British Armed Forces along with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. , the British Army comprises 79,380 regular full-time personnel, 4,090 Gurk ...
Corps of Royal Engineers. A team of experts from the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office will deploy to the Cayman Islands before end of year for operational needs assessment, to begin the advisory and support roles and to determine a suitable location to base the Regiment. On 15 October 2019,
Government of Bermuda Bermuda is the oldest British Overseas Territory, and the oldest self-governing British Overseas Territory, and has a great degree of internal autonomy through authority and roles of governance delegated to it by the national Government (the Bri ...
issued a statement that the
Royal Bermuda Regiment The Royal Bermuda Regiment (RBR), formerly the Bermuda Regiment, is the home defence unit of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda. It is a single Territorial Army (United Kingdom), territorial infantry battalion#British Army, battalion tha ...
is ready to assist the Cayman Islands Regiment and to share their experiences, as the Cayman Islands Regiment builds. In mid-November 2019, the team from the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence from
131 Commando Squadron Royal Engineers 131 Commando Squadron Royal Engineers is an Army Reserve unit and part of 24 Commando Regiment Royal Engineers. It provides engineering support to 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines (3 Cdo Bde RM) and is the largest Army Reserve Commando unit. The ...
,
40 Commando 40 Commando RM is a battalion-sized formation of the British Royal Marines and subordinate unit within 3 Commando Brigade, the principal Commando formation, under the Operational Command of Commander in Chief Fleet. Their barracks are at Norton ...
Royal Marines, and
Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the United Kingdom's naval warfare force. Although warships were used by English and Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were fought in the Hundred Years' War against ...
arrived in
Grand Cayman Grand Cayman is the largest of the three Cayman Islands and the location of the territory's capital, George Town. In relation to the other two Cayman Islands, it is approximately 75 miles (121 km) southwest of Little Cayman and 90 miles (1 ...
to begin work on setting up the Cayman Islands Regiment. In mid-December 2019, recruitment for junior and commanding officers began, with the commanding officers expected to begin work in January 2020 and the junior officers to begin work in February 2020. In December 2019, Turks and Caicos Islands Governor
Nigel Dakin Nigel John Dakin (born 28 February 1964) is a British diplomat currently serving as Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands. He assumed office on 15 July 2019 in a swearing-in ceremony before the territory's House of Assembly. On 15 December 2 ...
had announced that they will also follow the Cayman Islands in the formation of the
Turks and Caicos Regiment The Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment is the home defence unit of the British Overseas Territory of the Turks and Caicos Islands. It is a single territorial infantry battalion of the British Armed Forces, formed in 2020. Background The Turks a ...
. The Turks and Caicos Regiment will operate similarly to the Cayman Islands Regiment and the Royal Bermuda Regiment and the roles of the Regiment will also be the same as their British Overseas Territories counterparts. The Turks and Caicos Regiment also will be assisted by the UK Ministry of Defence and Foreign and Commonwealth Office.


2020

In late January 2020, the first set of senior officers and junior officers were chosen. The Commanding Officer was announced to be Lieutenant Colonel Simon Watson, who was formerly an Officer for the
Royal Dragoon Guards The Royal Dragoon Guards (RDG) is a cavalry regiment of the British Army. It was formed in 1992 by the amalgamation of two other regiments: The 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards and the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards. Based in Battlesbury Bar ...
. The Second in Command is Lieutenant Colonel Simon Spiers. The Staff Judge Advocate and Regimental Legal Advisor is Major Andre Mon Desir, who was the Supreme Court Judge in
Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago (, ), officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, is the southernmost island country in the Caribbean. Consisting of the main islands Trinidad and Tobago, and numerous much smaller islands, it is situated south of ...
and also a member of the
Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force The Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) is the military organization responsible for the defence of the twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. It consists of the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment, the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, the Tr ...
. The first six junior officers were chosen, these six will be sent for training in mid-February 2020 to
Bermuda ) , anthem = "God Save the King" , song_type = National song , song = "Hail to Bermuda" , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , mapsize2 = , map_caption2 = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = , es ...
with the
Royal Bermuda Regiment The Royal Bermuda Regiment (RBR), formerly the Bermuda Regiment, is the home defence unit of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda. It is a single Territorial Army (United Kingdom), territorial infantry battalion#British Army, battalion tha ...
, and thereafter onwards to the
United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
for additional officer training at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. An additional 50-60 personnel will be recruited and will also be sent for training in
Bermuda ) , anthem = "God Save the King" , song_type = National song , song = "Hail to Bermuda" , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , mapsize2 = , map_caption2 = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = , es ...
with the
Royal Bermuda Regiment The Royal Bermuda Regiment (RBR), formerly the Bermuda Regiment, is the home defence unit of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda. It is a single Territorial Army (United Kingdom), territorial infantry battalion#British Army, battalion tha ...
in early Summer 2020. The
Regimental Sergeant Major Regimental sergeant major (RSM) is an appointment that may be held by warrant officers class 1 (WO1) in the British Army, the British Royal Marines and in the armies of many other Commonwealth and former Commonwealth nations, including Australia ...
is Warrant Officer 1 David Shelton, who has had 13 years of non-commissioned officer experience in the British Army with operational tours of duty, training, and recruitment. In early June 2020, five of the junior officer cadets began their officer training at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and the recruitment of the 50 additional personnel began.


2021

In late 2020 into early 2021 saw the Recruitment of Cohort 1 of 2021. A Short Term Training Team was deployed to Grand Cayman to assist the Regiment with the training of the recruits as well as to deliver kit. In the Summer of 2021 saw the Recruitment of Cohort 2 of 2021 which also saw another Short Term Training Team also deployed from the UK to assist. Also during the Summer of 2021 saw the Regiment acquire logistical vehicular equipment by way of three HX-60 MANS Trucks, two Unimog Ambulances, one Volvo Front Loader, and one Kratcher Tactical Field Kitchen trailer. In 2021 the Cayman Islands Regiment also saw the official publication of the Defence Bill in the Cayman Islands Parliament.


Commanding officers

As of January 2020, the commanding officer is Lieutenant Colonel Simon Watson.


Recruitment and training


Commissioned Officers

The first set of junior officer recruits were sent to Bermuda to train at Warwick Camp alongside recruits of the
Royal Bermuda Regiment The Royal Bermuda Regiment (RBR), formerly the Bermuda Regiment, is the home defence unit of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda. It is a single Territorial Army (United Kingdom), territorial infantry battalion#British Army, battalion tha ...
for their basic military training. This is a two-week course. The first set of Junior Officers then gone on to an intense condensed 8 week Officer course at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. The following sets of Officer Cadets were sent directly to the 8 week course at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.


Non-Commissioned Officers & Recruits

Upon passing through the selection process recruits attend a 14-day non-residential Basic training camp. The basic training gives the recruits the following requisite skills: weapon training, first-aid, radio communications, drill, basic navigation and fitness. Since 2020 the Regiment has taken on several cohorts with 1-2 new cohorts a year. As of Mid-2021 the Regiment has over 100 members, and is still growing. Further training is given to the members after basic training, this not only further skills gained by the members but also provides promotions through the ranks.


Uniforms


Clothing

The uniforms, weapons, and equipment for the Cayman Islands Regiment will be provided by the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence. During the basic training, the recruits are given the same kits as those of the
Royal Bermuda Regiment The Royal Bermuda Regiment (RBR), formerly the Bermuda Regiment, is the home defence unit of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda. It is a single Territorial Army (United Kingdom), territorial infantry battalion#British Army, battalion tha ...
recruits. This is mainly the British Army's No. 8 Combat Dress
Multi-Terrain Pattern The Multi-Terrain Pattern (MTP) is the standard camouflage pattern of the British Armed Forces. As part of the British Ministry of Defence's (MOD) Personal Equipment and Common Operational Clothing (PECOC) programme, three new camouflage patter ...
Personal Clothing System – Combat Uniform (PCS-CU). The PCS-CU mostly consists of a windproof smock, a lightweight jacket, and trousers with a range of ancillaries such as thermals and waterproofs. Recruits are also issued with British Army Standard Issued Brown Combat Boots. Regimental Personnel also have the No.2 Service Dress, This is (part of Future Army Dress (FAD) programme)a khaki Jacket and Trousers with Fawn dress shirt with tie and dress shoes. No.3 Warm Weather Dress, This is a white Tunic with dark blue Trousers with a red stripe at the sides. No.4 Warm Weather Service Dress, This is for the Officers its similar to the No.2 however in a Stone colour. The No.13 Barracks Dress, This is similar to the No. 2 without the jacket and could be worn with green 'wolly-pully' jumper or woollen jersey.


Ranks

Ranks of the Cayman Islands Regiment are exactly the same as the rest of the
British Army The British Army is the principal land warfare force of the United Kingdom, a part of the British Armed Forces along with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. , the British Army comprises 79,380 regular full-time personnel, 4,090 Gurk ...
: Commissioned Officers Non-Commissioned Officers


Equipment

Cayman Islands Regiment uses the following vehicles:


See also

*
British Army Training and Support Unit Belize British Army Training Support Unit Belize (BATSUB), the successor of the former British Forces Belize, is the name given to the current British Army Garrison in Belize. The garrison is used primarily for jungle warfare training, with access to o ...
*
Cayman Islands Coast Guard The Cayman Islands Coast Guard is the maritime security and search and rescue agency of the British Overseas Territory of the Cayman Islands. It was formed in late 2018 under the umbrella of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service and was offic ...
*
Overseas military bases of the United Kingdom Overseas military bases of the United Kingdom enable the British Armed Forces to conduct expeditionary warfare and maintain a forward presence. Bases tend to be located in or near areas of strategic or diplomatic importance, often used for the bui ...


References


External links


Cayman Islands Regiment
{{The British Army Regiments of the British Army British colonial regiments Military of the Cayman Islands Military units and formations established in 2020