The leadership of the Jamaica Combined Cadet Force (JCCF) has formally changed hands, as long-time Commandant, Brigadier Errol Johnson, has made way for Colonel Nicholas Taylor.
The change took place on Tuesday (August 4) during a handover ceremony at the Caribbean Military Academy CMA Auditorium, Up Park Camp, Kingston. Brigadier Johnson served as Commandant for nine years, having assumed the post in 2016.
In reflecting on his tenure, Brigadier Johnson highlighted the significant growth and achievements of the JCCF and expressed appreciation to the officers, adult volunteers, cadets and stakeholders whose commitment and support helped to advance the organisation’s mission. According to him, “Together we have made tremendous progress. We have enhanced training programmes, expanded into more schools, increased our strength from just over 2,000 to more than 6,000, and reinforced our core pillars of D.R.I.L.L. – Discipline, Resilience, Integrity, Loyalty and Leadership.”
Brigadier Johnson cited as one of the most rewarding aspects of his tenure was witnessing cadets excel in a range of areas, including academics, marine engineering, air training, community service and leadership development. He thanked the Jamaica Defence Force, the Cadet Committee, patrons, regimental commanders, adult volunteers and cadets for their unwavering commitment over the past decade, noting that their support had strengthened the organisation and enabled it to successfully fulfil its mission.
New man at the helm
In accepting command, Colonel Taylor paid tribute to Brigadier Johnson’s leadership, describing his tenure as transformative and crediting him with strengthening the institution during a period of significant growth and change saying,“You led this Force through periods of extraordinary complexity. You held the line when it would have been easier to yield. You shored up this institution when the pressures of the changing world threatened to erode it. You did not simply maintain what existed… you strengthened it. Your service has left a mark that time will not erase….”
Colonel Taylor pledged to build on the strong foundation laid by Brigadier Johnson while further strengthening the JCCF’s role in shaping Jamaica’s young people into responsible citizens and future leaders.
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