The defence of the

British Virgin Islands ) , anthem = "God Save the King" , song_type = Territorial song , song = " Oh, Beautiful Virgin Islands" , image_map = File:British Virgin Islands on the globe (Americas centered).svg , map_caption = , mapsize = 290px , image_map2 = Bri ...

is the responsibility of 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 ...

. The history of the islands is relatively free from armed conflict, and people of the

have served in foreign militaries with great distinction. Foremost amongst these is

Samuel Hodge Samuel Hodge, VC ( 1840 – 14 January 1868) was a West Indian soldier in the British Army and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth soldiers ...

(grandson of notorious historical figure,

Arthur William Hodge Arthur William Hodge (1763–1811) was a plantation farmer, member of the Executive Council and Legislative Assembly, and slave owner in the British Virgin Islands, who was hanged on 8 May 1811, for the murder of one of his slaves. He was t ...

), who won the

Victoria Cross The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest and most prestigious award of the British honours system. It is awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the British Armed Forces and may be awarded posthumously. It was previously ...

, Britain's highest military honour, whilst serving in the Gambia Campaign for 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 ...

. There are neither British Forces nor any military installations based on the islands. The

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 ...

may visit the islands from time to time during defence engagement in the region. Since 2020, the Royal Navy has deployed the offshore patrol vessel

HMS Medway Eleven ships and a shore establishment of the Royal Navy have been named HMS ''Medway'', after the River Medway. * , a 60-gun fourth rate launched in 1693, rebuilt in 1718 and hulked in 1740. She was beached in 1748 and a sheer hulk and was brok ...

in the Caribbean for general patrol duties and for sovereignty protection missions for all British territories in the region.

Virgin Islands Cadet Corps

The island has Army Cadet Corps since 2009, but they are not members of the

, but rather a youth organization with ties to the

Royal Virgin Islands Police Force The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force is the territorial police force of the British Virgin Islands. The United States Virgin Islands Police Department is responsible for policing the U.S. Virgin Islands. History The RVIP was formed in 1967 ...

and neighbouring Caribbean military and/or cadet organizations.

References

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