Colonel Telbert L. A. Benjamin, on Friday took over Command of the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force during a brief Change of Command Ceremony at Government House.
In accepting the Command from Sir Trevor Thomas, former Chief of Defence Staff, Colonel Benjamin said that the ABDF is a force in transition and he is ready to serve. “We are a force in transition, transforming to ensure that we are able to meet and treat with the security and defence challenges of our current and future operating environment. In order to do this, we must be both critical and creative in our thinking, with a focus on capabilities that are not only useful to us but that lend to securing our nation and ensuring our nation’s continued development and success,” Colonel Benjamin stated.
Chief of Defence Staff, Colonel Telbert L. Benjamin enlisted in the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force in 1995 and has held numerous appointments to include Platoon Commander 1997 to 2002, Tactical Advisor to the Commissioner of Police for CWC 2007 from 2006 to 2007, Company Commander from 2007 to 2009, Staff Officer Operations and Training in the Force HQ from 2009 to 2019, and Commanding Officer 1stBattalion Antigua Barbuda Regiment from 2019 to 2020.
In addition to the appointments mentioned, he was the liaison officer to the Conference of the Armies of the Americas (CAA) from 2010 to 2017 and Liaison Officer to the Conference of Defence Ministers of the Americas from 2013 to 2017.
Colonel Benjamin has also been a member of the directing staff of the Regional Security System Staff and Command course, eventually rising to the post of Academic Director.
Commander in Chief of the ABDF, Governor General Sir Rodney Williams, who spoke at the Ceremony, congratulated Colonel Benjamin on his promotion to commander of the ABDF and issued a charge for him to keep a sharp focus on the ultimate purpose of the ABDF to maintain peace at the borders of Antigua and Barbuda.
“As the incoming Commander I encourage you to lead by example with dignity and distinction. Lead others efficiently and effectively through continuous, deliberate, progressive and sequential molding of your soldiers into even more confident, skilled and qualified officers who can take decisive actions. Continue to focus on training personnel and create open channels for regular interaction with soldiers so that you can better understand the challenges they face and counsel them on how to advance their careers. Get to know the strengths, capabilities and weaknesses of your subordinates. Such knowledge will enable you to assist them and their families because the latter are integral in a soldier’s success and morale,” said Sir Rodney.
Prime Minister the Hon. Gaston Browne who also spoke at the Change of Command ceremony said that Colonel Benjamin was selected based on his years of experience and qualifications, outlining that he is the right fit for the job.
“Our new Chief of Defence Staff was selected based on merit. Someone who has performed consistently over the years. Someone who would have utilized his years in the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force to develop his skills and someone who is immensely committed to service. And I have no doubt that the Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force will be in good hands. Therefore, I use this opportunity to congratulate Colonel Telbert Benjamin for his appointment as the new Chief of Defence Staff of Antigua and Barbuda,” Prime Minister Browne pointed out.
The country’s leader also outlined that his government expect great things from Colonel Benjamin as he assumes the position of CDF of the Force.
“Colonel Benjamin, this is a position of great trust. Guarding our borders and standing ready to meet the demands of any emergency are two of the major missions of the Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force and we are quite sure that you have the capacity to serve with the highest level of service to the people of Antigua and Barbuda. It is the expectation of this administration that the high level of competence, which has been displayed during your history, will continue unabated. And as they say, finish strong, so this is your opportunity to continue to perform, and just like your predecessor, Colonel Thomas, to finish strong.”
Outgoing Chief of Defence Staff Colonel Sir Trevor Thomas also offered his congratulations to Colonel Benjamin on assuming leadership of the Force.
“I urge all of the Officers, men and women and civilian Staff in the ABDF to give your full support to Colonel Telbert Benjamin’s Command and continue to strive to make the ABDF a bastion of discipline within Antigua and Barbuda. Good luck to you Colonel Benjamin, your Officers, your men and women and your Civilian Staff. The fight is ahead – but none too great for you and your team to overcome,” he said.
The Defence Force was established in 1897 and consisted of 1 company of Infantry and 1 company of mounted cavalry. Most males between the ages of 18 and 45 who earned more than 50 GBP annually were required to serve.
In 1914, the Force was put on active service due to the commencement of the 1st World War. During the period of the 2nd World War, the Antigua Defence Force became part of the Leeward Islands Battalion and towards the end of 1943, ADF members were deployed to Europe as part of the 1st Battalion, The Caribbean Regiment and returned in 1946. The Force was disbanded in 1952 as it had no Headquarters and was reactivated in 1956 under the Command of Captain E.M. Blackman.
Colonel Sir Trevor Thomas who joined the Force 43 years ago, served as Chief of Defence Staff for 28 years.
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congrats Col Benjamin best wishes
Looking forward to your leadership of shaping the lives of young women and men in the country
What purpose(s) besides pomp and pride does the Defense Force serve in the Nation?
In the forceable future, will Antigua, Barbuda & Redonda invade any other Nation?
If the Nation is invaded( no need to mention the Cuban Tree Frog nor the Giant African Snail) how will they protect the Nation?
Disband the Defense Force…
A…use a percentage of the members to continue building the Coast Guard with the ONDCP!
B…use a percentage to strengthen the Police Force.
C…use a percentage to strengthen the Fire Department.
The Government needs to reassess many of these Government Agencies which are simply for, Pomp & Pride!
@Ras Smood
Many young men and women are gainfully employed by the ABDF.
Obviously you are unaware about some of their remit, perhaps when you are sleeping they are patrolling and keeping you safe.
No we are not war like, we are not looking to war with any one but we are into keeping the peace Grenada, Barbados, Trinidad, and,Haiti. The military responded to the earthquake crisis in Haiti, hurricane damaged country through the region.
Many young women and men learn a trade in our military.
The coast guard is a part of the military, and ABDF assists the fire police with search and rescue, also the police in times of need.
So please the military is good for many things. Perhaps an argument can be made to transition it into a larger coast guard and a smaller infantry unit. That I can accept
As, you mention Trinidad, Grenada, Barbados, Trinidad and suffering Haiti.
What is needed is a Caribbean Military funded, and serviced by all the islands with contingents(small units) on each island.
As for learning “a trade,” that can be done outside of the Military. We now have a University, and Trade Schools been there to accomplish those tasks. So, are you saying, that one can only learn a trade in the Military?
You spoke of budgeting, regarding Our Billion dollar economy! I am quite sure, that you are aware, of the WASTE of resources when it comes to the Military.
As, you indicated, the men and women assist those other agencies/departments, such as the Police, Fire Department etc., then why not fully incorporate them into those departments, especially the Fire Department which is woefully lacking in personnel and equipment, to deal with the growing Nation. The Fire Department needs more service stations around the Nation, thus, this is one area where the Defense Force/Military Budget should be allocated to. They will still be sitting around for most of their shift, but at least, they’ll at the ready, and in the proper location.
Disband The Defence Force in its present setup.
NA-A-AH RAS! NA-A-AH!
Congratulations to the new ‘CDS.
Pomp and Pride?
Na-a-ah fren Ras. Na-a-ah!
Much more than that, i.e. if ‘Í n I’ understands what ‘…National Security’ is all about.
There has to be a ‘…combat force.’
One trained to ‘…fight; …kill and capture the enemy.’
Unlike the ‘…Police Service’ that is employed to ‘…protect and serve the citizens; …fight crime; …apprehend criminals; and bring them to justice’, that is what the Military is all about.
Nice new word Ras- ‘forceable.’
To hell with the other word ‘foreseeable.’
Too darn long, Ras.
Pompey, the “enemies” which we are fighting are internal, not external. Now, correct me if I am wrong! Isn’t England required to support Us externally when it comes to being “invaded” by foreign forces(we have one now from the Wutan Kung Flu Klan, and what assistance are we getting from England? We have to be turning to CUBA, the one and same which we are not supposed to do business with to assist Us, in fighting this invisible , yet deadly enemy.
Again, disband/reorganize the Defense Force, distribute the personnel to other Departments such as…
A.. the Coast Guard(drugs, and other illegal activities around the Coastline).
B…strengthen the Police Force to fight and deal with internal criminal activities.
C…strengthen the Fire Department with proper facilities
& equipments at much need locations in a growing Nation.
I can guarantee you this, any Military Force which invades Antigua, Barbuda & Redonda openly will have a field day! As I said, to Melchesidec, a Caribbean Military funded by ALL governments should be the direction which is taken, as We move forward in this ” New Norm!”
Spend our limited budget wisely! Save for rainy days, instead of constantly borrowing and begging!
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