Bostic drops lieutenant colonel title

Members of the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) have been challenged to protect the institution they inherited and ensure it remains strong for future generations.

It came from President The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, as he addressed the inaugural Commander-in-Chief Parade held in his honour yesterday evening at BDF headquarters, St Ann’s Fort.

Bostic also announced that he would no longer use the military rank Lieutenant Colonel as part of his official title, bringing to a close a practice he said was intended to highlight the capabilities and achievements of members of the BDF.

“You are inheritors of the Barbados Defence Force and the Barbados Defence Force is your inheritance,” he told serving and retired military personnel, civilian staff and members of the Barbados Cadet Corps.

Reflecting on his own journey through the organisation, the President said the BDF had played a transformative role in his life.

“Many years ago, I stood where some of you are standing today – young, unsure and insecure, but hungry for purpose. I raised my hand, took the oath and the Barbados Defence Force took me in. For 26 years, this force was my school, my test and my family. It gave me a career, a foundation and it forged my character,” he said.

Bostic recalled rising through the ranks to become a commissioned officer and ultimately Commander-in-Chief.

“My inheritance began even earlier as a cadet . . . learning how to stand erect, how to speak clearly and with confidence, how to put Barbados before self.”

Throughout his address, he repeatedly referred to the BDF as an inheritance passed from one generation to the next, reminding personnel that they were custodians of a proud legacy built through decades of service.

Bostic, a former Minister of Health and Wellness, highlighted the force’s contributions at home, including support for Crop Over and CARIFESTA events, disaster response efforts following tropical storms and hurricanes, and assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Barbados Defence Force was my source of inspiration, my source of help and this force performed in so many ways during COVID that, to be honest with you, I myself was even surprised at the extent to which the force would have been able to assist the Ministry of Health and Wellness and Barbados,” he said.

He also recounted the organisation’s involvement in regional operations, including Grenada following Hurricane Ivan, Dominica after Hurricane Maria, St Vincent and the Grenadines during the La Soufrière volcanic eruption, and other humanitarian and security missions throughout the Caribbean.

Bostic warned that future challenges would require adaptability and excellence.

“The world will not lower its standards for us because we are small. So you have to be sharp, be smarter, be better than yesterday. The threats you face are evolving. Cyber attacks, climate disasters, transnational crime and disinformation, to mention a few, and so must you.”

He cautioned personnel against becoming obstacles to the institution they were sworn to serve.

“No enemy can destroy the Barbados Defence Force if we do not destroy it from within,” Bostic said as he urged members to reject division, complacency and abuses of authority.

In explaining his decision to no longer use the title Lieutenant Colonel, he said he had deliberately retained it after entering politics to demonstrate the calibre of individuals produced by the BDF.

“When I became a Member of Parliament, I decided that I will go there as a Lieutenant Colonel because the Barbados Defence Force was supposed to be represented.

“The people of Barbados had to understand what this force is capable of doing and who this force is capable of producing,” he added.

Bostic said he also wanted members of the force to see what was possible through dedication and service.

“So I’ve reached this point in my journey, this destination, this office of the President of this country and your Commander-in-Chief. I’ve now determined that this is the time, this is the point, that from my official title, I will drop the Lieutenant Colonel.”

Earlier, BDF Chief of Staff Brigadier The Honourable Carlos Lovell, described the parade as a historic moment for both the republic and the military.

“His Excellency’s journey from cadet to officer to politician and from politician to statesman is without precedent in our history and serves as a powerful reminder that service, commitment and character remain the hallmarks of true leadership,” he said.

The ceremony featured a full military parade involving the Barbados Coast Guard, Barbados Regiment Reserves, a Guard of Honour and detachments from the Barbados Cadet Corps. Bostic inspected the parade before taking the salute during the march past.

Spectators were later treated to a series of operational demonstrations showcasing the evolving capabilities of the BDF. These included displays by the Drone Unit, a motorised showcase featuring Humvees, armoured fighting vehicles, ambulances and troop-carrying vehicles, as well as a dramatic hostage rescue simulation conducted by the Maritime Special Operations Unit. The scenario culminated with a mass casualty response exercise that demonstrated the force’s emergency medical and disaster response capabilities.

As the parade came to a close, the message from the President was that the future of the Barbados Defence Force rested in the hands of those who now wear its uniform.

“You are inheritors of the BDF and the BDF is your inheritance. I now serve you as Commander-in-Chief and together we will guard this inheritance for Barbados and for those who come after us,” he said. (CLM)

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