Chief of Defence Staff (Trinidad and Tobago)

Last updated
Chief of Defence Staff
Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force emblem.svg
Emblem of the TTDF
Incumbent
Air Vice Marshall Darryl Daniel
since 25 March 2019
Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Flag.svg Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force
Member ofDefence Council
Reports to Minister of National Security
Appointer President
on the advice of the Minister
Constituting instrumentDefence Act: Chapter 14:01
Formation1 June 1962
First holderPearce Gould
Website Official website

The Chief of Defence Staff is the professional head of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force. He is responsible for the administration and the operational control of the military. The current chief is Air Vice Marshall Darryl Daniel who was appointed on 25 March 2019, Air Commodore and promoted to Air Vice Marshall effective November 01,2020 . Unlike other Caribbean nations, the chief is not called the more common "Chief of Staff". This is due to the strong ties Trinidad and Tobago had to the British equivalent during the establishment of the TTDF. [1]

List of officeholders

No.PortraitName
(birth–death)
Term of officeDefence branchRef.
Took officeLeft officeTime in office
1Lt. Col.
Pearce Gould
1 June 196219641–2 yearsArmy [2]
2 General Sir Richard Hull speaks to officers (Joffre Serrette).jpg Col.
Joffre Serrette
1964February 19683–4 yearsArmy [3] [4]
3Stanley JohnsonFebruary 196819701–2 years
(2) General Sir Richard Hull speaks to officers (Joffre Serrette).jpg Brigadier
Joffre Serrette
197019787–8 yearsArmy [3]
4Commodore
Mervyn O. Williams
1976?19792–3 yearsNavy [5]
Brigadier
Joseph Theodore
199019910–1 yearsArmy [6]
Brigadier
Ralph Brown
199119942–3 yearsArmy [5]
Carlton Alfonso, TTDF Chief (Cropped).jpg Brigadier
Carlton Alfred Alfonso
199419994–5 yearsArmy [7]
Commodore
Anthony S Franklin
199920000–1 yearsNavy
John CE Sandy200020021–2 years
Former TTDF Chief of Defence Staff Ancil Antoine.jpg Brigadier
Ancil Antoine
26 January 200220063–4 yearsArmy [8]
Edmund Dillon TTDF Chief.jpg Major general
Edmund Dillon
20066 November 20114–5 yearsArmy [9]
Brigadier
Roland Maundy
6 November 201120120–1 yearsArmy [10] [11]
Major general
Kenrick Maharaj
201120110 yearsArmy [12]
201120153–4 years
Rodney Smart. Former TTDF Chief.jpg Major general
Rodney Smart
20159 August 20171–2 yearsArmy [13]
TTDF Chief of Defence Staff Rear Admiral Hayden Pritchard.jpg Rear admiral
Hayden Pritchard
9 August 201725 March 20191–2 yearsNavy [13]
Darryl Daniel. TTDF Chief.png Air Commodore
Darryl Daniel
25 March 2019Incumbent5 years, 110 daysAir force

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tatmadaw</span> Armed forces of Myanmar

The Tatmadaw or Sit-Tat is the military of Myanmar. It is administered by the Ministry of Defence and composed of the Myanmar Army, the Myanmar Navy and the Myanmar Air Force. Auxiliary services include the Myanmar Police Force, the Border Guard Forces, the Myanmar Coast Guard, and the People's Militia Units. Since independence in 1948, the Tatmadaw has faced significant ethnic insurgencies, especially in Chin, Kachin, Kayin, Kayah, and Shan states. General Ne Win took control of the country in a 1962 coup d'état, attempting to build an autarkic society called the Burmese Way to Socialism. Following the violent repression of nationwide protests in 1988, the military agreed to free elections in 1990, but ignored the resulting victory of the National League for Democracy and imprisoned its leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The 1990s also saw the escalation of the conflict involving Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine State due to RSO attacks on the Tatmadaw forces, which saw the Rohingya minority facing oppression and, starting in 2017, genocide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Namibian Defence Force</span> Combined military forces of Namibia

The Namibian Defence Force (NDF) comprises the national military forces of Namibia. It was created when the country, then known as South West Africa, gained independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990. Chapter 15 of the Constitution of Namibia establishes the NDF and defines its role and purpose as, " ... to defend the territory and national interests of Namibia".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National War College</span> School in the National Defense University

The National War College (NWC) of the United States is a school in the National Defense University. It is housed in Roosevelt Hall on Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., the third-oldest Army post still active.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force</span> Military forces of Trinidad and Tobago

The Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) is the military organisation 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 Trinidad and Tobago Air Guard and the Defence Force Reserves.

Rear admiral is a flag officer rank used by English-speaking navies. In most European navies, the equivalent rank is called counter admiral.

Brigadier general or brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000 troops.

Air commodore is a air officer rank used by some air forces, with origins from the Royal Air Force. The rank is also used by the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence and it is sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure.

Air vice-marshal is a air officer rank used by some air forces, with origins from the Royal Air Force. The rank is also used by the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence and it is sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">People's National Movement</span> Political party in Trinidad and Tobago

The People's National Movement (PNM) is the longest-serving and oldest active political party in Trinidad and Tobago. The party has dominated national and local politics for much of Trinidad and Tobago's history, contesting all elections since 1956 serving as the nation's governing party or on four occasions, the main opposition. It is one out of the country's two main political parties. There have been four PNM Prime Ministers and multiple ministries. The party espouses the principles of liberalism and generally sits at the centre to centre-left of the political spectrum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maldives National Defence Force</span> National Military of the Maldives

The Maldives National Defence Force is the national military responsible for defending the security and sovereignty of the Maldives. It is primarily responsible per the constitution to defend and protect the Republic, its territorial integrity, its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and the people. Its branches include the Maldivian Coast Guard, the MNDF Marine Corps, and the Special Forces.

China plays an increasing important role of economic and developmental importance in the region and the relations with China have increased steadily over time. The Caribbean's relations with China, are largely defined as either: the People's Republic of China or the Republic of China. As of 2024, nine states in the Caribbean recognized the PRC and four recognized the ROC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera)</span> Award

The Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) is a decoration awarded to members of the Singapore Armed Forces for exceptionally distinguished performance or extraordinary service, or the furtherance of links with overseas forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Air Force College Cranwell</span> Royal Air Force training and education academy

The Royal Air Force College (RAFC) is the Royal Air Force academy which provides initial training to all RAF personnel who are preparing to become commissioned officers. The College also provides initial training to aircrew cadets and is responsible for all RAF recruiting along with officer and aircrew selection. Originally established as a naval aviation training centre during World War I, the College was established as the world's first air academy in 1919. During World War II, the College was closed and its facilities were used as a flying training school. Reopening after the War, the College absorbed the Royal Air Force Technical College in 1966.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Defence College (India)</span> Premier Academic Institute

The National Defence College, located in New Delhi, is the defence service training institute and highest seat of strategic learning for officers of the Defence Service and the Civil Services. This is a very prestigious course attended only by a few hand-picked defence officers of One-Star rank and civil servants of the rank of Joint secretary to the Government of India. Each year, approximately 25 officers from friendly foreign countries like the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Australia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Nepal, UAE and others attend the course.

Major general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general.

Gary Griffith is a former commissioner of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, having served a term in office for the period 18 August 2018 to 17 August 2021 Under the previous government, led by a coalition including the party currently in Opposition, he had been appointed as Minister of National Security in Trinidad and Tobago on Friday 6 September 2013. Between May 2010 and September 2013, he had served as National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister. Griffith was a member of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force for 15 years, where he attained the rank of captain in 1998. He retired his Commissioned Officer position in May 2005. This attainment to the rank of captain was achieved after just six years service, which was an unprecedented achievement. He was the first military officer from this country to return home with a United Nations Peacekeeping Medal. He has also received the Efficiency decoration medal [EDM] for 12 years distinguished service as well as the Meritorious medal for duties performed during the 1990 attempted coup in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tobago Council of the People's National Movement</span> Political party in Trinidad and Tobago

The Tobago Council of the People's National Movement, also known as the Tobago Council of the PNM, PNM Tobago or PNM Tobago Council, is the longest-serving and oldest active political party in Tobago. The party is the autonomous branch of the Trinidad and Tobago People's National Movement operating in Tobago. While its political leader acts in the local capacity, they also serve as a deputy leader on a national level. The party's executives organize for both local and national election campaigns. There have been three PNM Chief Secretaries and administrations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Phillips (Guyanese politician)</span> Guyanese politician and retired military officer

Mark Anthony Phillips is a Guyanese politician and retired military officer who is the prime minister of Guyana and first vice president under President Irfaan Ali since August 2020. He served as the chief of staff of the Guyana Defence Force from 2013 to 2016. He graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in September 1981.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edmund Dillon</span> Trinidad and Tobago military officer and politician

Edmund Ernest Dillon is a Trinidad and Tobago military officer, politician and diplomat. He is the current Ambassador for Trinidad and Tobago to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Dillon was commissioned with the Coast Guard and joined the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment as an officer. He rose through the ranks and eventually became Chief of Defence Staff, a position that he held from 2006 to 2010. He was a Member of Parliament in the House of Representatives for Point Fortin between 2015 and 2020, when he served as the Minister of National Security and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chief of Defence Staff (Guyana)</span> Head of the armed forces of Guyana

The Chief of Defence Staff is the professional head of the Guyana Defence Force. He is responsible for the administration and the operational control of the military of Guyana. The current Chief of Defence Staff is Brigadier Omar Khan.

References

  1. Phillips 1997, p. 30.
  2. "History" . Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  3. 1 2 Figueira, Daurius (July 2009). The East Indian Problem in Trinidad and Tobago 1953-1962 Terror and Race War. ISBN   9781440159961.
  4. Griffith, Ivelaw L. (11 June 2015). The Quest for Security in the Caribbean: Problems and Promises in. p. 107. ISBN   9781317454977.
  5. 1 2 Phillips 1997, p. 31.
  6. "Passing of Brigadier General ( Ret'd) Joseph Theodore" . Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  7. "Senator the Honourable Brig. Gen. Carlton Alfonso" . Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  8. "Brigadier Ancil Antoine" . Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  9. Kowlessar, Geisha. "Dillon says farewell to the Force". guardian.co.tt. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  10. "Minister Griffith Issues Condolences on the Death of Brigadier General Roland Garth Maunday" . Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  11. "Maundy passes the baton" . Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  12. "Maharaj now Brigadier General" . Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  13. 1 2 "New Chief of Defence Staff replaces Major General Rodney Smart" . Retrieved 13 January 2021.