Cayman to create military regiment
(CNS): The Cayman Islands is taking its first step towards having its own armed defence force, the governor’s office has announced. The revelation that the UK has agreed to help Cayman develop its own military regiment came as Mark Lancaster, UK Minister of State for the Armed Forces, was visiting the jurisdiction. Officials said the step towards a reservist defence unit has been under discussion by Britain and Cayman for some ten months. The aim is to improve security and disaster management here and in the region.
Speaking at a press briefing at the airport hanger on Friday evening, Premier Alden McLaughlin said the idea of a local reserve force goes back to the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan. He said the 2005 PPM administration, in which he served, had explored the concept based on the regiment in Bermuda, but at that time the UK did not support the idea.
Lancaster, who was also at the conference wrapping up his visit, told the press that he began to see the advantages himself when he came to the region and saw the Montserrat regiment in action. As a result, he proposed the idea should move forward for the Cayman Islands.
Governor Martin Roper confirmed that it would be an armed unit but made up of reservists who would be volunteers. While it would fall under his area of responsibility, he stressed that the aim was to make it a local force in partnership with government. He spoke about the regiment being closely linked to the Corps of Royal Engineers and its main purpose was humanitarian.
“We are not creating an army here,” Roper said.
No budget has yet been identified but the premier said he didn’t think it would necessarily be expensive, as those serving would be part-time and only deployed when disaster was to strike in Cayman or in the region. He said it is unlikely it would have more than five permanent staff, with everyone else being paid a per diem when they were called up.
The senior officials stated that both Cayman and the UK would know more about the details soon after a planned scoping exercise by British civilian and military experts. Representatives from the defence ministry and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are expected to come here before the end of the year to conduct an operational needs assessment to find out what will be needed to move this project forward.
Once if gets off the ground, it will be the third overseas territories regiment in the region but not the last, as the governor said the Turks and Caicos Islands has also expressed an interest in a similar type of regiment.
In a press release about the announcement. officials said Britain is expected to provide the logistical advice and support in the first instance but will go on to provide operational training and equipment.
“The UK enjoys a close and historical bond with the Cayman Islands and through helping to establish the Islands’ first regiment we are strengthening this relationship even further,” Lancaster said. “We are committed to the safety and security of the Overseas Territories. Having recently worked with regional partners on the response to Hurricane Dorian, we have demonstrated both the depth of that commitment and value we place on our partnerships in the Caribbean.”
Roper described it as an exciting new initiative, which was an example of the strong and enduring Cayman and UK partnership.
“The establishment of the Cayman Regiment will help reinforce hurricane assistance and disaster relief capability in the Cayman Islands as well as the other Overseas Territories and across the region,” Roper stated. “It will also help bolster security more generally and help to develop skills amongst Cayman’s young people and provide a further avenue for the cadets when they reach the age of 18,” he added.
McLaughlin said he was pleased that the UK was now keen to support the initiative.
“Having a specially trained regiment in Cayman would have a positive impact on youth development and leadership on the Islands,” he stated. “It will also give a boost to security and increase our resilience on disaster management and the support we could offer across the wider Caribbean. I am pleased that the UK are keen to support this initiative and we welcome their expertise and involvement,” he added.
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Category: Politics
Bermuda has some sort of National Guard I believe.
A small group of certain Caymanian men armed up and ready to do the bidding of CIG. What could go wrong? They will make sure we all find out.
Are gays allowed to join this army ?
I hope so. You all need something to do.
Great. Step up and be part of what you desire from the UK.
This can also provide some well-needed discipline for young Caymanians. Make one year of national service (service in the armed forces) mandatory. It would break the entitlement culture.
Great – get a load of the waster 16 year olds… knock them into shape, give them some discipline that their parent(s) never gave them and a chance in life… currently their only plan is “i is Caymanian – I don’t need to work”. In fact – I’ll go one furthest make national service compulsory for all 18-21 yr olds not in full time education…. boom… go Alden – grow a set and do something for these kids that are graduating waste of space
Why?
Really Alden..the port now this..you are some leader..Can’t wait for 2021..
Independence talks… we cant become independent without a military.
Coup d’etat talks … we can’t have a coup d’etat without a military.
Who the hell do you think you could defend yourself against? A dozen yardies with auto weapons could take your lazy asses in a heartbeat. Get real, you haven’t got your mythical Coastguard sorted yet, a regiment, omg, all you’ll be used for is marching around Heroes Square with the overweight and ill fitting uniforms of the Fire Dept. If you want to join an Army, join a British Army regiment, the Royal Marines, Royal Navy or Royal Airforce and put yourself in harms way for real.
Why not concentrate on a an effective Marine Police Unit of more than the current number of under 20, covering all shifts. Utilise other marine agencies For inshore Coastguard and enforcement tasks, (Port Authority, DoE etc..) expand the firearms units, give better training to all police officers for home defence and crime prevention instead of going for the lowest standard so as to accommodate under educated and unmotivated candidates.
If Cayman can’t recruit enough local police officers of a high enough standard and rely on those from a 3rd world neighbouring country, can’t get enough marine police officers that can even swim, have a CBC that’s fundamentally flawed and filled with self entitlement, a Fire Dept that is riven with back stabbing and a Prison Service populated by even more foreign staff, how will you put together an effective military force?
Looters after the next big hurricane hits. Did you see what happened in Bahamas? Same will happen here.
The same thing I was going to say but you beat me to it!!
Exactly. It’s coming.
What a bunch of Bullsh*t this is. Utter waste of funds. You can establish security and disaster management without an armed military unit.
Governor is way out of touch with the reality of the needs of this country. Same old Colonial Toy Soldier mentality.
WHY???
WHAT FOR???
For independence SMH
To spend money foolishly!
To keep all you trouble makers in line as your very anti-government rhetoric is very destabilizing and against good goverment.
Fml. Independence soon come?
It will come when mr. dart is ready for it.
Will the Cayman Islands become one of the British Armed Forces’ overseas garrisons? How many troops/reserves are we talking about? Will this increase the probability of Grand Cayman becoming a military target? Will the military base reflect a benefit for the Cayman Islands?
That’s just the tip of my questions. How about this one: Was this change directed by the Crown, or suggested and adopted?
I remain open to exploring the ramifications of this change. I know that I am glad every hurricane season to know that Her Majesty’s ships are about and vigilant for our safety. I am glad for the implied protection of the Crown, and believe that it is right that it is a two-way street.
Big question: Do we have a choice?
Disclosure: I clicked on the the “Fascinated” emoticon.
Big Beau, There you go again. What are you possibly thinking? A military target from who? China? A takeover of South Sound by the Chinese?
No, we have no choice. Mother will decide what is best for the children in the colony. Looking at what happened in Bahamas, we need the British military when the next Ivan hits and the looting starts after the hurricane. I have zero faith in the local police to protect us.
Have you not noticed? The Chinese are very quietly taking over South Sound.
Amazing what you can do with laundered money.
Yep, there I go again — asking pesky questions.
Can’t take me anywhere. 😀
It’s a facet of situational awareness, my friend. Right now, we are invisible for the most part to the world’s notice (IRS excepted). I like it that way.
I’m not against the idea, you understand; I am perhaps more than a bit leery of Caymanian open-ended organisational quagmires. Hopefully, if this is to pass, it will be created with care and sustainable funding.
There is a significant difference between pesky questions and intelligent questions.
What an absolute load of hog wash. The last thing Cayman needs and another absolute waste of public funds.
How come we never heard of this before? It’s been 15 years since Ivan and this is the first we’re hearing of this hair brained idea.
Definitely time for a complete sweep of every single one of them in the next election, if we last that long.
What about the story made you conclude that this is something that the CIG came up with?
Big Beau, You need to read more carefully and closely. The article says that the discussions between the British and Cayman have been underway for ten months. Work on your reading skills before commenting on everything.
Yes. Like me having “discussions” with my children about their grades and chores. Hint: It is NEVER their idea. It is also not their choice while they live under my roof. Get me?
Did you by any chance notice the looting after the recent hurricane in Bahamas?
Just in time for WWIII. It started with Ukraine then moved to Iran and now the final brick was Turkey in Syria.
Let me get this straight, you think the next global conflict is going to erupt because the authoritarian far right Turkish government is killing Kurds in Syria
Yeahhh
Totally
the devil is not so terrible as he is being painted
Says the devil….smh
Who is going to pay for this?
expats as usual….
We’re heading into Jamaica #2 faster than I though.
You wish.
I think fixing the dump is a much better idea!
CNS This has to be fake news!.
“Cayman to develop it’s own military regiment”!? Lordt what am I hearing ya!
Great! Need to start rounding up those conservative Caymanians who are the first ones to dessent to government policies. We have over 150 cctv camaras on the streets, and the UK’s Labour government soon to go back into power.
Let me assure you, whoever you think you are. The proliferation of security cameras is very socialist. Have you read how China is using surveillance? Are they conservative? I think not.
But then again, this left-right paradigm is as jaded as your tired comment.
There are TWO divisions within humanity, God’s children and the devil’s.
You choose.
Which are you?
Perhaps you don’t know that the senior leaders of the People’s Republic Of China are all billionaires. Are they socialists? Socialists in wolves clothing.
The Chinese buying real estate in Grand Cayman are all card carrying members of the Party. Although they are millionaires and a few billionaires too. Got to love socialism. Think before you choose.
Worth checking Mark Lancaster’s military service because he’s not your average lard-arsed British MP –
Between 1988 and 1990 he served in the British Army on an extended gap year Commission in Hong Kong with the Queen’s Gurkha Engineers before going to university. He then transferred his Commission to the Army Reserve where he continues to serve as a colonel in the Royal Engineers, commanding an Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit. He has been on active service three times in Kosovo (1999–2000), Bosnia (2001–2002) and Afghanistan (2006). He is currently Deputy Commander of 77th Brigade.
– anyone who did EOD, whatever their rank was, in those three locations (I’m familiar with the first two) gets my instant respect.
Probably MI6. Listen pal, we don’t want your aggressive jocks over here. Leave us alone.
6:41 Let’s declare independence then.
You will want them after the looting starts after the next Ivan hits. Did you not see the fear of people when the looting started in Bahamas?
Your a fortune teller??
10:46 What about the looting here after Ivan? We had to call in outside troops to put a stop to that.
Fix The Dump first! To do so, hire Japanese only! Capping=cosmetics is not equal to fixing. Relocation is not an option. New waste management system must be state of the art.
CIG, even if they wanted to, would not be able to handle it.
Only innovative approach in small islands waste management must be employed.
Japanese KNOW HOW! Hire the best! This country’s livelihood depends on state of the art waste management system! Spare no expense!
Secondly, Implement 21st century Public Transport System.
Armed defence force is not a priority, in fact it is optional. Unless they are trained in environmental disaster response. The chance is certain that The Dump would create one. Sooner than you think.
Like the lame RCIPS?
Perhaps fitting then they should be stood in front of the one RCIPS unit that has balls then.
You think the RCIPS will stop the looting when the next big hurricane hits?
Wait. The RCIP are looters?
No because majority of Looters will be same nationality as Police force and they’ll break down Airport fence again to jump on a flight back home with goods & then be allowed back in later on as they did after Ivan.
Its about time. We pride ourselves on being so much more advanced than most Caribbean Islands, yet in so many inportant areas such as safety and security we are so far behind the others.
Another area we need to get a grip on is our Cost of Living. Mr. Premier could you please URGENTLY put your focus on PRICE CONTROL and our HUMAN SERVICES. The cost of living in Cayman is killing us.
The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. Once our social fabric is gone and it is going fast, no amount of security defences will bring us back. Wake up and take action now please.
…and $10 Minimum Wage!
Great move. We need to get ready for the next big Hurricane Ivan which will hit us in the next few years and will probably be even bigger than Ivan.
You saw that too?
Next step is for the US to put a military base in eastend,
We need education and healthcare, we don”t need an army.
Finally such positive news and long overdue. This is no doubt a positive step in the right direction for our safety, security and development as a country.
Think of all the healthy young men who’ve been incarcerated because of minor crimes they’ve committed in their youth and didn’t have an outlet to serve in the military or national reserve. We’re UK citizens so I believe every healthy able bodied Caymanian male and female should have to serve from 18 years to 50 in the military for at least 2years. I’m honest that I don’t always with the PPM yet good job.
Kman, We are not a country but a colony or overseas territory.
Give criminals guns? Yeah, great idea.
Here we go. This is the next step in creating a force to keep any piss poor dictator in power. Don’t believe for a second that there would be any hesitation to use this “military” to quell any anti dock protests or any other self serving projects put forward by the government in power. Be careful here.
Why not expand on the work of the Cayman Islands Cadet Corps, established over 17 years ago?
Fix the dump!
i keep hearing you say that. Please suggest how it should be fixed.
Nobody knows. It’s sort of unfixable at this time. Because…
The existing Dump:
1. Can’t relocate it. That’s not even for discussion.
2. Can’t burn it. The entire island would be heavily contaminated with deadly byproducts.
3. WtE plant, the way they operate it in Japan, see the video, IS PRACTICALLY IMPOSSIBLE in the CI. You won’t trust Caymanians to run an atomic plant, won’t you? A modern, state of the art WtE plant isn’t much different.
4. Capping won’t prevent leachate and management cost would be astronomical. A long-term monitoring system must also be implemented. Landfill caps do not lessen the toxicity, mobility, or volume of hazardous wastes, but they do limit migration. Both management and monitoring would require educated, skilled and experienced professionals. In Cayman the jobs would be given to Jacks of all trades and consequences could be catastrophic (such as an explosion).
Once solution for the existing Dump is found, new, state of the art waste management system should be up and running. And the way things look right now it is not going to happen in the near future. As if this is not depressing already, add to the mix future problems with sargassum disposal, taking into account that decomposing sargassum seaweed generates toxic fumes that have been linked to hydrogen sulfide poisoning and also corrodes copper in air conditioning units, plumbing, and electrical systems.
But if nothing is done now, it would get much worse, so solutions must be found. To do so, the brightest minds who have proven expertise in the waste management field on small islands must be employed. I suggest Japanese.
Everyone else would just spend money achieving very little.
Unfixable at this time? Hell we have been talking about moving the DUMP for 30 years. When is the right time? When Mount Trashmore is the highest mountain in the Caribbean?
Dart owns it and will be converting trash to energy soon doofs
Move it to the East End where it was originally suppose to have gone to before some politicians got cold feet.
The is amazing. Wow first the cruise piers now this. Can things really get any better in our beloved islands. Thank you Governor Premier and Minister.
This is the biggest load of bull shit yet. These fools only interest is to destroy our islands and culture. Alden your a disgrace to these islands.
Criticism should always be accompanied by solutions, reasonable and reachable solutions.
That is the kind of bull shit that really helps, unlike your own.
For 30 years there have been all sorts of reasonable and reachable solutions for THE DUMP. It is bull shit like apologists such as you which prevents movement on the problem.
Sounds like the Boy Scouts.
First mission – liberate Expatistan (commonly known as Crystal Harbor). Of course normal scouting equipment (woggles) will not suffice to achieve mission objectives, therefore artillery and heavy armour may be required to avoid a long siege – particularly if a land corridor to Camana Bay/the new Fosters deli section is established by the occupying regime.
On the other hand, a swift, shock & awe amphibious assault up the canals may work – if executed at the right time (9pm on a Friday night when all the occupiers are pissed).
Of course all members of the SAS (Special Alden Service) should be eligible for the highest military honour, the MC (MKeeva Cross).
I completely understand your analogy, however the Boy (or Girl) Scouts should not be used in it. You use an organisation which fosters togetherness and skills to compare to works within our country that you don’t agree with.
Much as I agree with your sentiment, I have to say very poor choice.
I guess you missed that the comment was total sarcasm.
I read and understood it just fine. You were off-base in your comparison.
I hope to God their orders come only through the Governor.
They will, that’s the plan.
Watch out Cayman Brac, we coming to occupy your ass!
I thought they had already occupied ours. It sure feels like it. Every time I sit down, I am uncomfortable. Your horrible politicians are so money-motivated. Is that all there is to life?
And I hope that competent people is heading this up and not just friends being paid a high salary….
If it’s all about humanitarian aid, then why militarize it?
Because there will be looting after the next big hurricane. Crime is rampant already on Grand Cayman.
What’s the Difference Between the Cayman regiment and the Boy Scouts?
The Boy Scouts have adult supervision.
No. Just imagine a day when Premiere McKeeva Bush has his own army. Cayman would end up declaring war on Belize or invading some Miami casino. No, please no.
#lame
L M F A O!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Are they gonna sell cookies like the Girl Scouts?
This is by far one of the funniest things I’ve read in a hwhile……..
Cool hwip……….
The last funny thing you saw was that family guy episode?
laughable…a place that has not got the guts to stand on its own two feet trys create a mickey mouse defense force……
another expansion of the cayman islands social welfare programme…aka the civil service.
…….zzzzzzzzzzzzz
Sus Christ that all our “emperor” needs, his own damn army. God help us.
This just shows how our Premier is doing a wonderful job for our island. Hope all you haters can grow up and support our leaders!
Praise our Unity Team Government.
Build our Port!
PPMBOT we hope Alden includes free toilet paper in your pay package because your must sure use a lot to wipe the brown stuff off your nose.
Can we call people up to collect the garbage?
That reminds me. Anyone saw the remake of dads army lately?
If the government wishes to form a militia, they should not be surprised if the common man follows suit.
This is ridiculous! We have a ton of more important national issues to deal with and spend money on.
There is no “We” in this. This is all about what your government wants for itself. Seems like they know that soon they might need protection under their control from ……well ….You.
THE CONCH BRIGADE of the 1st TURTLE REGIMENT!
The Turtle Rangers… Dirty Reid and those guys that made the movie The Cayman Triangle predicted it.
Such horseshit. These people will not be trained to expel the foreign invader, but to oppress the locals.
We knew you were coming and have prepared accordingly.
To oppress the locals who will be looting after the next big hurricane.
Spend as much as you can. You only live once!
It’s a good idea to have some kind of defense force to help people that may not be able to help themselves. Also in case of hurricanes or revolt of the punk gangs!