Garth Rattray | Consider military-based training for our youth

Recently, I had reason to reminisce on my years in the Jamaica Combined Cadet Force (JCCF). I was about 13 years old when my father suggested that I think about joining the St George’s College Unit. I vividly recall mulling it over in my head for hours. I envisioned having to march and/or stand in the hot sun. The thought of military drills, calisthenics and being given commands didn’t thrill me. But then I considered the discipline that I would gain, and I took the plunge. It was one of the best decisions of my life.

I sought out the group of cadets practising their drills in the grassy area near the front of the school. I was told to speak with the company sergeant major … it was the highest rank attainable while in school at that time. I recall his patience in teaching me how to drill. Although I was a fast learner, it required effort and concentration. The basic-yet-very precise movements taught me that I had to do things properly, no shortcuts were allowed.

I was officially accepted into the unit on May 28, 1969. Our commanding officer was JCCF Major Gerald Hall. He was a World War veteran with a burning passion for improving the lives of young men through military discipline. Major Hall was the image of an old and very experienced soldier. He was very respected by the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), JCCF, St George’s College staff and the headmaster.

Major Hall was an impeccably dressed man with statesmanlike qualities, he seemed to possess limitless knowledge in all things military. He gave us many pep talks and pearls of wisdom for improving our skills and performance. Occasionally, he would interject in our fieldcraft sessions to teach us the secrets of military stealth … the leopard crawl and the ghost walk. He organised our courses with the JDF, weapon training sessions at Twickenham Park and Newcastle, various weekend cadet training camps at several venues, and JDF courses and parades. His conviction and dedication to our unit made us want to excel and make him proud.

DEMEANOUR AND DISCIPLINE

I vividly recall observing that the demeanour and discipline displayed by the cadets in their daily lives made them stand out from most students. There was obviously something uplifting and very positive about being a member of the JCCF.

I found that I thoroughly enjoyed the cadet training. The regimen and discipline gave me a feeling of self-worth, self-confidence, inner pride, and achievement. This inner pride was not puffed up or overbearing. It was not a feeling of superiority; it was a positive awareness of self. It was the kind of self-awareness that eschewed negativity, indiscipline, bad behaviour, irresponsibility, and dishonesty.

It took consistent hard work and discipline to move up the ranks of the JCCF. I left high school at the rank of company sergeant major. I was selected to represent my school at the military camp in Moneague, St Ann in 1970. I also represented Jamaica at the International Annual Cadet Exchange in Grenada (1971) and Canada (1972). Representing your country is next-level stuff that stays with you and strengthens you throughout your lifetime.

JCCF cadets learn discipline, respect, courtesy, volunteerism, camaraderie, efficiency, precision, responsibility, and about the rewards of hard work. They learn how to motivate others without diminishing their self-worth, and to think hard before acting, because there are always consequences to their actions. Fighting among themselves, seen so often among schoolchildren nowadays, is forbidden and unforgivable.

SUCCESSFUL CAREERS

Several cadets went on to very successful careers in the military. Many went on to other successful careers that were immeasurably enhanced by the cadet training that they received in their formative years. I credit my years in the JCCF STGC Unit for the tools that helped me through challenging times.

This is from the JCCF website: “The Jamaica Combined Cadet Force (JCCF) is a youth organization which falls under the direct responsibility of the Ministry of National Security, Law Enforcement, Forensics, and Protective Security Division. The Force was established in 1943 by an act of Parliament. The JCCF provides training to the Nation’s Youth giving them a feeling of stability and purpose. The training is based upon military skills but the aim is not to produce a highly trained soldier. The aim is to appeal to the imagination of these youngsters, challenge them and channel their energies into developing a well-rounded world class citizen equipped with leadership and life skills all valuable to civilian and soldier alike.

The JCCF mirrors the JDF and is a sustainable recruitment pool for the Jamaica Defence Force, Jamaica Constabulary Force, Department of Correctional Services and the Jamaica Fire Brigade.

The JCCF focuses on youth engagement and risk reduction, which is one of the ministry’s social intervention strategies to combat antisocial and deviant behaviour in youths. The JCCF operates primarily in high schools and targets children of high-school age. For those children who are not in a high school or do not have a unit within their school, the JCCF has an Independent Unit and a Band and Drums Unit in Up Park Camp.”

The JCCF has grown immensely since my time. If [especially vulnerable] teenagers are exposed to JCCF training, there will be far less indiscipline, violence, aggression, and criminality in Jamaica.

Garth A. Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and garthrattray@gmail.com