Government officials were in attendance for the swearing in ceremony and the change of command parade. It was an historic moment as Jamaica now officially has the only female in the world actively serving in her position.

Newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff, Rear Admiral Antonette Wemyss-Gorman, says her efforts in piloting the army’s role in Jamaica’s national security apparatus will be anchored in the military’s five pillars of transformation. The swearing in ceremony was held recently at king’s House in St. Andrew. Following the swearing in, on Friday the Jamaica Defence Force held the change of command parade at their headquarters. 

Governor-General, Sir Patrick Allen, presented Admiral Wemyss-Gorman with the instrument of appointment and presided over her taking and subscribing the oath of allegiance and oath of office. She succeeds Lieutenant General Rocky Meade, who retires from the JDF after a career spanning 38 years, the last five as CDS.

In assuming command of the organization Admiral Wemyss-Gorman acknowledged the opportunity she seized to join the JDF in 1992.

Prior to her promotion, Rear Admiral Wemyss-Gorman served as JDF Executive Officer for two years, during which she provided force development guidance in support of the Chief of Defence Staff’s transformation vision.