Royal Montserrat Defence Force

The Royal Montserrat Defence Force is the home defence unit of the British Overseas Territory of Montserrat. The force has an authorized strength level objective of 50 reserve personnel as of 2021-22, akin in size to that of a platoon-sized unit.[2]

Royal Montserrat Defence Force
Founded1898
Service branchesRoyal Montserrat Defence Force
Montserrat Cadet Corps
HeadquartersBrades
Leadership
Commander-in-ChiefKing Charles III
Commanding OfficerLt Col Alvin E. Ryan, ED CCM
Personnel
Military age17
ConscriptionNo
Available for
military service
males age 17-49: 1,291, age 15–49
Fit for
military service
males age 17-49: 1,291
females age 17-49: 1,252 (2010 est.), age 15–49
Reaching military
age annually
male: 35
female: 34 (2010 est.)
Reserve personnel40 personnel as of 2018-19; Objective for 2021-22: 50 personnel[1]
Deployed personnel0
Industry
Foreign suppliersUnited Kingdom
Related articles
HistoryMontserrat in World War I

History

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Raised in 1899, the unit is today a reduced force of about forty to fifty volunteer soldiers, primarily concerned with civil Defence and ceremonial duties. The unit has a historical association with the Irish Guards.[3][4][5][6] The current Commanding Officer is Lieutenant-Colonel Alvin Ryan, who was first appointed the force commanding officer in 2014, and who assumed command from the late Captain Horatio Tuitt. The appointment of a unit commander at the Lieutenant-Colonel level in 2022 was a first-time event for the force.[7] As a British Overseas Territory (BOT), defence of Montserrat remains the responsibility of the United Kingdom. On 5 September 2024 Governor of Montserrat announced Major General Alex turner as Honorary Colonel of RMDF. [8]

Uniform

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Ranks

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Ranks are as follows:(The RMDF use the Star of St Patrick as a 'pip' like Irish Guards)

Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers
  Royal Montserrat Defence Force            
Lieutenant Colonel Major Captain Lieutenant Second lieutenant Officer cadet
Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
  Royal Montserrat Defence Force        
    No insignia
Warrant officer class 1 Warrant officer class 2 Staff Sergeant Corporal Lance corporal Private

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Government of Montserrat 2019-2020 Budget Statement, p. 101" (PDF). 15 May 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  2. ^ "Government of Montserrat 2019-2020 Budget Statement, p. 101" (PDF). 15 May 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  3. ^ "UK Government White Paper on Overseas Territories, June, 2012. Page 23" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 October 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  4. ^ Government of Montserrat: Lively and colourful Queen's Birthday Parade. 21 June 2012
  5. ^ "Montserrat Reporter: Defence Force Marks 100 Years of Service". Archived from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  6. ^ "The Montserrat Reporter: 2012 Queen's Birthday Parade at Salem Park". Archived from the original on 4 August 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  7. ^ "An Historic moment as the Royal Montserrat Defence Force has an Officer at the Rank of Lieutenant Colonel". ZJB Radio Montserrat. 7 March 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  8. ^ https://www.gov.ms/2024/09/06/new-appointment-of-honorary-colonel-to-the-royal-montserrat-defence-force/