Roper: Regiment belongs to Cayman not UK

| 18/08/2020 | 70 Comments

(CNS): The new local defence force “is Cayman’s regiment”, Governor Martyn Roper has said, and the UK’s sole interest in supporting it is to help the islands build greater resilience here and in the region for humanitarian and disaster relief. He said it was up to the people of the Cayman Islands how best to develop this new group of local reserves. Speaking at the passing out parade on Sunday, he called it a landmark day.

The first passing out parade for the regiment with its first 51 recruits took place in the midst of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

The governor said that having Cayman’s “own trained troop of men and women will make a great difference” when it comes to disaster management and relief.

Premier Alden McLaughlin told the troops during his address at the parade that he had “thought about this moment for almost sixteen years”. He recalled that in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan in 2004 members of the Bermuda Regiment had come to Cayman to assist with recovery and had made a lasting impression, which led him pursue the idea of a Cayman Islands regiment.

But when in 2005 the PPM administration approached the United Kingdom about a local defence force, the UK Government “wasn’t willing to accommodate the request”.

Fifteen years on, after a visit by then UK Minister for the Armed Services, Brigadier Mark Lancaster, the idea of the regiment was discussed again and this time Cayman got the green light. McLaughlin credited Roper with persuading the UK Government to support the formation of a regiment.

“We announced only ten months ago that we would be forming this regiment, and despite the impact of COVID-19 we are here today, an incredible achievement indeed,” McLaughlin said. “As I look at this group of fine men and women, I see promise of a great future.”

He said the regiment’s future success rested in their hands as its first members because how they now deport themselves will define it in the eyes and hearts of Caymanians and give it whatever reputation it earns.

“This is an awesome and important responsibility. Regardless of your rank each one of you has a part to play in the success of this regiment,” McLaughlin said as he urged them to hold fast to the motto, “In Arduis Paratus – Prepared in Adversity”.

See the full parade on CIGTV below:


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Comments (70)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Can we give them back?
    Then they’re not ours, are they?

  2. Anonymous says:

    Do they have you fooled too!!

  3. Anonymous says:

    Please someone, now that Matthew Forbes is leaving, order the army to go find our good Governor Choudhury and bring him back to Grand Cayman so that we can have good governance.

  4. Anonymous says:

    Still np mention of the cost $$$$/

  5. Anonymous says:

    So if the UK is not in charge of the Regiment..who is? Alden? Eric Bush??

  6. Anonymous says:

    Aldens Dictatorship dream soon be realized.

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  7. Anonymous says:

    Regiment seems a little grandiose for 50 people, Does it have a name? Cayman Fusiliers or the Prime Minister’s Own or something?

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    • Anonymous says:

      50 people now – well 60 with the officers – but the intention and the plan is to have several hundred eventually. Hence right now the commanding officer is only a Lieutenant Colonel. The Royal Bermuda Regiment is 600-strong and headed by a Colonel; I have not found the size of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment but it can’t be much bigger or smaller because it, too, like Bermuda’s Regiment, consists of one battalion headed by a Colonel. So we will continue to train more over the years until we are up to size at which point the commanding officer will become a Colonel. On some important anniversary like the 50th or 60th since founding, King George VII, long since grown out of his school shorts, will add Royal to the name. Until then, it’s just the Cayman Regiment. Would you like to suggest a further name? What should it be for a regiment of assault pioneers?

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      • Anonymous says:

        Still just a large platoon.

      • Anonymous says:

        Interesting. You caused me to look up the Royal Bermuda Regiment and I learned that the majority of its troops are draftees and that it is under the control of the Governor, meaning the FCO. I don’t particularly care one way or the othet, but the Cayman governor seems to imply that this group is controlled by someone other than him.

        • Anonymous says:

          That’s correct, the RBR is an official colonial infantry regiment of the British Army. The RGR ranks before it, but they both rank after the British Army Reserve.

          https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Army_order_of_precedence

          You may also want to note that Turks and Caicos have also been given the same type of regiment we have (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turks_and_Caicos_Regiment) with two-thirds of our population and that Montserrat and the Falklands with about 5% of our population also have a volunteer Defence Force each about 50 strong only (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Montserrat_Defence_Force, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falkland_Islands). So we’re really just playing catch up.

          Ultimately the Brits commenting here need to appreciate that this was something their own Government thought was a good idea that we were ready for, 16 years after we asked for it. The Minister of State for Defence who made the decision is himself a British Army Reserve officer. And the Caymanians worried about who controls this force need to understand that its purpose is internal and external security and that falls squarely within the Governor’s portfolio. When he says the Regiment belongs to Cayman, what he means is it operates outside the British Armed Forces’ umbrella.

      • Anonymous says:

        “The Queen’s Own Driftwood”.

  8. Anonymous says:

    Can you all get a grip. This is basically a reserve to use in cases of natural disasters here, or in the Caribbean.

    They’re not going to be like the JDF, shooting bad guys.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Do you really believe what you are saying? We have gotten by even in Category 5 hurricanes without a regiment and all of a sudden we are having British ships landing on our beaches, helicopters flying overhead looking for spots to land and now a regiment.

      If you believe that this is just for disasters or believe that the Governor is not in control of them you are highly mistaken.

      Remember wolves come in sheep’s clothing and don’t let anyone pull the wool over your eyes. The Governor is to my knowledge still in charge of security for the islands and I would suspect the Regiment will be no different.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Do they have you fooled too!!

  9. Sergeant at Arms MRCU says:

    We need them to swat mosquitos.

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  10. Anonymous says:

    I was there, and disgusted to witness our retched self-righteous MLA Cabinet members arriving late mid-speech/ceremony, and then clanking down the the aluminum grandstand stairs to depart before the Regiment and Band had even cleared the field, the MC finished program, or audience finished clapping in tribute to the regiment’s voluntary efforts. The Cabinet and CIG staff might all be forgiven if they were all simultaneously afflicted with selective mutism social anxiety disorder en masse, where they aren’t even aware of their involuntary propensity for rudeness – but I would want to review that doctor’s note, and the examiner’s credentials.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Was Juju there?

      • Anonymous says:

        Did not see members from the Brac. The others really were tactical on their parading entries-exits and wanted their exit to coincide with applause directed at others. Speaker McKeeva was dressed in form-fitting Dr. Fu Manchu tuxedo, circa China Harbour fiasco.

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  11. Anonymous says:

    Got to keep the Chinese out somehow.
    Will they be stationed at Pedro Castle?

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  12. Anonymous says:

    wow….cayman now ready to invade owen island!

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  13. Logan born Caymanian says:

    I would love to see the exact process by which this so called Regiment was screened and vetted because I saw some very troubling individuals in this so called group of recruits or volunteers arming them in the event of a state of emergency is another matter and should be of great concern to all citizens as is their powers to act under the law. But like all things in this place unfortunately it’s only when the White colonial power ideas are put forward will we see actions taken!

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    • Jonas says:

      Looks like that we have found to this point 17 idjuts who have nothing else to do but criticize the creation of the Regiment. Shut ona crap and find something positive to say and do. Blasted morons.

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    • Anonymous says:

      It is the only way that young men and women can be exposed to discipline and respect for authority. Same thing that the UK national service did for a generation.

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    • Anonymous says:

      There were 6 applications received for each position filled. Maybe you should speak up if there is someone you think is deeply “troubling”, or withholding something, in the CI Regiment, and maybe before they advance to weapons training? This first CI Regiment will be the standard by which every successive one is measured. Bermuda sent theirs here after Ivan when we had nothing in place…16 years of lobbying FCO later, we were finally allowed the resources to form our own capacity. They will be on the frontlines to assist our CI Hazard Management portfolio in the wake of a crisis here, or presumably offered in reciprocal assistance to any nearby UK commonwealth territory. Distributing water bottles, food rations, first aid, clearing roads, landing zones, and other good stuff that everyone always expects some other local agency to be trained to do.

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    • White non colonial expat. says:

      Logan born Caymanian- unfortunate that you are racist. If you have travelled to the UK you will see that is now very much a multi-cultural society with citizens of all ethnic origins represented in the Civil Service, Parliament, and in Government, unlike Cayman.

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  14. Anonymous says:

    the expansion of the civil service is never ending….just what cayman needed… a bunch of pretend soldiers…..zzzzzzzzzzzz

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  15. Anonymous says:

    Funny how humanitarian and disaster relief is not listed as any of the training requirements at Sandhurst…..

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    • Anonymous says:

      9:32 Maybe you should have checked online before posting that. From the internet –

      Humanitarian work is a core function of the British Armed Forces. The manpower, logistical expertise and efficiency of the British Army means they are crucially important during times of emergency. The humanitarian relief provided by the British army has saved thousands of lives, helped to rebuild countries and fostered strong international relationships.

      Some forms of humanitarian relief provided by the British Army include:

      Distributing Aid

      Distributing aid in the aftermath of a disaster is often problematic. Getting food, water and medical supplies to those who need it when storage facilities and transport links have been damaged requires strong logistical expertise and considerable manpower. That’s why the army’s ability to act and coordinate quickly is so important for getting aid to the people who need it.

      For example, in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, the RAF flew approximately 230 troops to the Caribbean to help the tens of thousands of people who had been left homeless.

      Evacuation

      Times of man-made or natural disaster often see large amounts of people needing to be evacuated as quickly as possible. Moving large amounts of people efficiently and safely requires the army’s logistical competency.

      For example, during the 2010 Icelandic volcanic ash incident, they relocated over 200,000 nationals who would otherwise have been stranded.

      Medical Facilities

      The British army has an impressive track record when it comes to delivering medical aid to civilians who badly need it.

      For example, in the aftermath of the 2013 civil war in Sudan, several dozen British troops delivered engineering and medical support to over 100,000 people who were at risk of famine.

      Restoring Infrastructure

      Recovering after a natural disaster is much harder when a country’s infrastructure is damaged or destroyed. By helping to rebuild infrastructure after a disaster, the British Army can help to ensure that a country can move forward in a stable way.

      For example, between 2003 and 2008, the British Army helped to build 168 miles of new road, 15 health centres and 26 new schools in Afghanistan.

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      • Anonymous says:

        …and how man women, children and fathers did they kill?

        How many homes did they destroy?

        How many mines did they lay?

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      • Anonymous says:

        1:37pm… and all for alternative means…… Just another part of their plan.

    • Anonymous says:

      Officer Training is done at Sandhurst.

    • Anonymous says:

      Moron. Learn to read before spewing stupid comments.

  16. Anonymous says:

    Is this a military force? If not, why are they dressed like soldiers? If they are military, who is the commander in chief? The governor, the premier, the queen, who?

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  17. Anonymous says:

    Lol how times have changed. We are ******* idiots.

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  18. Anonymous says:

    It’s usual on joining the military to swear an oath of allegiance. Was this the case with the Regiment? And if so – to whom? Because the British standard is to the Queen and those she appoints to oversee you. If that’s the case here saying the Regiment is Cayman’s is just not correct. Conversely who else would they swear allegiance to? The Premier?

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  19. Anonymous says:

    Looks like a great place to start with the government belt tightening. Yawn.

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  20. Al Catraz says:

    Why do they wear camouflage?

    Don’t you want disaster relief workers to be easy to find and see?

    Are they going to use camouflage to help hide from hurricanes?

    The way they are dressed is completely contrary to any conceivable humanitarian purpose. Humanitarians do not use camoflauge to conceal their position or make them hard to see.

    Please ask them why they use camouflage. What is it they need to hide from?

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    • Anonymous says:

      I like a conspiracy theory as much as the next guy, but in this case think it’s because they are wearing UK military surplus stock rather than some devious intent. If you want to exercise your suspicion gene ask why the uniform pack that came in included Kevlar helmets, and whether a weapons fit has been deployed. Because you don’t need assault rifles for hurricane relief.

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      • Anonymous says:

        7:35 ‘Because you don’t need assault rifles for hurricane relief.’ I guess you weren’t around to see what happened in the aftermath of Ivan?

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    • Anonymous says:

      Strange that we need military presence NOW!!

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    • Anonymous says:

      If they didn’t have the costumes then they would be the same as the Red Cross and likely wouldn’t get the same interest from wannabee soldiers.
      The scary thing is, if they are appointed under the Cadet Corps Law, they would have the power of arrest among other things. Look it up.
      I am sure they were created so there will be a “show of force” in Cayman after a hurricane, and all the police all disappear, without needing the Brits to come ashore.
      I have no idea how they think a platoon can be “stood up” after 2 weeks of training…it would likely take all that time just to get them to wear the uniform correctly and snap off a salute that doesn’t look like a high-five.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Green iguanas.

    • Anonymous says:

      @6:38 You need to get out a bit more. They wear camo because that’s the standard uniform for all current UK (and I believe US and most European as well) military units – army, air force, navy and marines. I’m from the UK and when the RAF marched through our local town they were in camo. That’s the modern military.

      • Anonymous says:

        I thought they weren’t military but humanitarian aid personnel..?

        “ The primary reason for the existence of the military is to engage in combat, should it be required to do so by the national defence policy, and to win. This represents an organisational goal of any military, and the primary focus for military thought through military history.”

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    • Anonymous says:

      The Governor lied to us, the army is here to enforce the UKs wishes

  21. Anonymous says:

    Who in Cayman asked for this regiment to be formed?

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  22. Anonymous says:

    Wait until these unwitting individuals get called up to serve in the UKs involvement in foreign wars they have joined.
    Or deployed to every country in the region that gets hit by a natural disaster.

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  23. Anonymous says:

    Yes, and if you believe that, you will believe anything.

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