Cayman Regiment

On 12 October 2019, the government announced the formation of the Cayman Regiment, a new British Armed Forces unit. The Cayman 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 island 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 Gibraltar Regiment, the Falkland Islands Defence Force and Royal Montserrat Defence Force and is to be linked with the British Army Corps of Royal Engineers. A team of experts from the UK Ministry of Defence and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office will deploy to Cayman 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.[2][3] [4]

On 15 October 2019, Government of Bermuda issued a statement that the Royal Bermuda Regiment is ready to assist the Cayman Regiment and to share their experiences, as the Cayman Regiment builds. [5]

in mid-November 2019, the team from UK's Ministry of Defence from 131 Commando Squadron Royal Engineers, 40 Commando Royal Marines, and Royal Navy arrived in Grand Cayman to begin work on setting up the Cayman Regiment.[6]

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.[7]

In December 2019, Turks and Caicos Islands Governor Nigel Dakin had announced that they will also follow the Cayman Islands in the formation of the Turks and Caicos Regiment. The Turks and Caicos Regiment will operate similarly to the Cayman 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.[8]

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 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 and also a member of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force. The first six Jr. Officers were chosen, these six will be sent for training in mid-February 2020 to Bermuda with the Royal Bermuda Regiment, and thereafter onwards to the United Kingdom 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 with the Royal Bermuda Regiment in early Summer 2020. The Regimental Sergeant Major 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.[9]

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. [10][11]

Normally the commanding officer is chosen from amongst the majors of the Battalion, and is promoted to lieutenant-colonel. As of January 2020, the commanding officer is Lieutenant Colonel Simon Watson.[12]

The first set of junior officer recruits were sent to Bermuda to train at Warwick Camp in Bermuda to train alongside recruits of the Bermuda Regiment for their basic military training. This is a two-week course. On the completion of this course the officer recruits will take on an intense condensed 8 week Officer course at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.[13]

The Uniforms, weapons, and equipment for the Cayman Regiment will be provided by the UK's Ministry of Defence. During the basic training, the recruits are given the same kits as those of the Bermuda Regiment Recruits. This is mainly the British Army's No. 8 Combat Dress Multi-Terrain Pattern 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.[14][15]

• Royal Bermuda Regiment
• Royal Gibraltar Regiment
• Royal Montserrat Defence Force
• Falkland Islands Defence Force