The Cayman Islands Regiment is the home defence unit of the

British Overseas Territory The British Overseas Territories (BOTs) or alternatively referred to as the United Kingdom Overseas Territories (UKOTs) are the fourteen dependent territory, territories with a constitutional and historical link with the United Kingdom that, ...

of the

Cayman Islands The Cayman Islands () is a self-governing British Overseas Territories, British Overseas Territory, and the largest by population. The territory comprises the three islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, which are located so ...

. It is a

territorial A territory is an area of land, sea, or space, belonging or connected to a particular country, person, or animal. In international politics, a territory is usually a geographic area which has not been granted the powers of self-government, ...

infantry Infantry, or infantryman are a type of soldier who specialize in ground combat, typically fighting dismounted. Historically the term was used to describe foot soldiers, i.e. those who march and fight on foot. In modern usage, the term broadl ...

and

engineer Engineers, as practitioners of engineering, are professionals who Invention, invent, design, build, maintain and test machines, complex systems, structures, gadgets and materials. They aim to fulfill functional objectives and requirements while ...

reserve unit of the

British Armed Forces The British Armed Forces are the unified military, military forces responsible for the defence of the United Kingdom, its British Overseas Territories, Overseas Territories and the Crown Dependencies. They also promote the UK's wider interests ...

that was formed in 2020. The regiment has an authorized strength level objective of 175 personnel, akin to that of a company-sized unit.

History

2019

On 12 October 2019, the government announced the formation of the Cayman Islands Regiment, a new British Armed Forces unit. The Cayman Islands Regiment was planned to become operational in 2020, with an initial 35–50 personnel of mostly reservists that are locally recruited and initially trained as assault pioneers. The regiment is expected to see an increase of personnel to several hundred. The main remit of the regiment is humanitarian aid and internal security. However, the regiment is to be assisted by the UK

Ministry of Defence A ministry of defence or defense (see American and British English spelling differences#-ce.2C -se, spelling differences), also known as a department of defence or defense, is the part of a government responsible for matters of defence and Mi ...

and

Foreign and Commonwealth Office The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is the ministry of foreign affairs and a Departments of the Government of the United Kingdom, ministerial department of the government of the United Kingdom. The office was created on 2 ...

in the form of logistical advice, support and future operational training and equipment. It was said to be in ways similar to the

Royal Bermuda Regiment The Royal Bermuda Regiment (RBR) is the home defence unit of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda. It is a single Territorial Army (United Kingdom), territorial infantry battalion#British Army, battalion that was formed on the amalgamation ...

, the

Royal Gibraltar Regiment The Royal Gibraltar Regiment is part of British Forces Gibraltar for the British overseas territory of Gibraltar, which historically, along with Bermuda, Halifax, Nova Scotia (prior to the 1867 Confederation of Canada), and Malta, had been d ...

, the

Falkland Islands Defence Force The Falkland Islands Defence Force (FIDF) is the locally maintained volunteer defence unit in the Falkland Islands, a British Overseas Territory. The FIDF works alongside the military units supplied by the United Kingdom to ensure the security ...

and

Royal Montserrat Defence Force The Royal Montserrat Defence Force is the home defence unit of the British Overseas Territories, British Overseas Territory of Montserrat. The force has an authorized strength level objective of 50 reserve personnel as of 2021-22, akin in size ...

and is to be linked with the

British Army The British Army is the principal Army, land warfare force of the United Kingdom. the British Army comprises 73,847 regular full-time personnel, 4,127 Brigade of Gurkhas, Gurkhas, 25,742 Army Reserve (United Kingdom), volunteer reserve perso ...

Corps of

Royal Engineers The Corps of Royal Engineers, usually called the Royal Engineers (RE), and commonly known as the ''Sappers'', is the engineering arm of the British Army. It provides military engineering and other technical support to the British Armed Forces ...

. A team of experts from the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence and the

will deploy to the Cayman Islands before end of year for operational needs assessment, to begin the advisory and support roles and to determine a suitable location to base the regiment. On 15 October 2019,

Government of Bermuda Bermuda is the oldest British Overseas Territory, and the oldest self-governing British Overseas Territory, and has a great degree of internal autonomy through authority and roles of governance delegated to it by the national Government (the B ...

issued a statement that the

is ready to assist the Cayman Islands Regiment and to share their experiences, as the Cayman Islands Regiment builds. In mid-November 2019, the team from the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence from 131 Commando Squadron Royal Engineers,

40 Commando 40 Commando RM is a battalion-sized formation of the British Royal Marines and subordinate unit within UK Commando Force, the principal Commando formation, under the operational command of the Fleet Commander. Their barracks are at Norton Manor ...

Royal Marines The Royal Marines provide the United Kingdom's amphibious warfare, amphibious special operations capable commando force, one of the :Fighting Arms of the Royal Navy, five fighting arms of the Royal Navy, a Company (military unit), company str ...

, and

Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the naval warfare force of the United Kingdom. It is a component of His Majesty's Naval Service, and its officers hold their commissions from the King of the United Kingdom, King. Although warships were used by Kingdom ...

arrived in

Grand Cayman Grand Cayman is the largest of the three Cayman Islands and the location of the territory's capital, George Town, Cayman Islands, George Town. In relation to the other two Cayman Islands, it is approximately 75 miles (121 km) southwest of L ...

to begin work on setting up the Cayman Islands Regiment. In mid-December 2019, recruitment for junior and commanding officers began, with the commanding officers expected to begin work in January 2020 and the junior officers to begin work in February 2020. In December 2019, Turks and Caicos Islands Governor Nigel Dakin had announced that they will also follow the Cayman Islands in the formation of the

Turks and Caicos Regiment The Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment is the home defence unit of the British Overseas Territory of the Turks and Caicos Islands. It is a territorial infantry and engineer reserve unit of the British Armed Forces that was formed in 2020. The Re ...

. The Turks and Caicos Regiment will operate similarly to the Cayman Islands Regiment and the Royal Bermuda Regiment and the roles of the regiment will also be the same as their British Overseas Territories counterparts. The Turks and Caicos Regiment also will be assisted by the UK Ministry of Defence and

2020

In late January 2020, the first set of senior officers and junior officers were chosen. The Commanding Officer was announced to be Lieutenant Colonel Simon Watson, who was formerly an Officer for the

Royal Dragoon Guards The Royal Dragoon Guards (RDG) is a Cavalry regiments of the British Army, cavalry regiment of the British Army. It was formed in 1992 by the amalgamation of two other regiments: The 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards and the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dr ...

. The Second in Command is Lieutenant Colonel Simon Spiers. The Staff Judge Advocate and Regimental Legal Advisor is Major Andre Mon Desir, who was the Supreme Court Judge in

Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago, officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, is the southernmost island country in the Caribbean, comprising the main islands of Trinidad and Tobago, along with several List of islands of Trinidad and Tobago, smaller i ...

and also a member of the

Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force The Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) is the military organisation responsible for the defence of the twin-island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. It consists of the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment, the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, the T ...

. The first six junior officers were chosen, these six will be sent for training in mid-February 2020 to

Bermuda Bermuda is a British Overseas Territories, British Overseas Territory in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean. The closest land outside the territory is in the American state of North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. Bermuda is an ...

with the

, and thereafter onwards to the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

for additional officer training at

Royal Military Academy Sandhurst The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS or RMA Sandhurst), commonly known simply as Sandhurst, is one of several military academy, military academies of the United Kingdom and is the British Army's initial Commissioned officer, officer train ...

. An additional 50-60 personnel will be recruited and will also be sent for training in

with the

in early Summer 2020. The

regimental sergeant major Regimental sergeant major (RSM) is an appointment that may be held by a warrant officer (WO) in the British Army, the Royal Marines, and the armies of many other Commonwealth and former Commonwealth nations. It is also an actual rank in the Iri ...

is Warrant Officer 1 David Shelton, who has had 13 years of non-commissioned officer experience in the British Army with operational tours of duty, training, and recruitment. In early June 2020, five of the junior officer cadets began their officer training at

and the recruitment of the 50 additional personnel began.

2021

In late 2020 into early 2021 saw the recruitment of Cohort 1 of 2021. A short-term training team was deployed to Grand Cayman to assist the regiment with the training of the recruits as well as to deliver kit. In the summer of 2021, saw the recruitment of Cohort 2 of 2021 which also saw another short-term training team also deployed from the UK to assist. Also during the summer of 2021 saw the regiment acquire logistical vehicular equipment by way of three HX-60 MANS Trucks, two Unimog ambulances, one Volvo front loader, and one Kratcher tactical field kitchen trailer. In 2021 the Cayman Islands Regiment also saw the official publication of the Defence Bill in the Cayman Islands Parliament.

Organisation

Leadership

The Cayman Islands is a British overseas territory (BOT). Its defence is therefore the responsibility of the United Kingdom. The Governor of the Cayman Islands is the Crown's (

Charles III Charles III (Charles Philip Arthur George; born 14 November 1948) is King of the United Kingdom and the 14 other Commonwealth realms. Charles was born at Buckingham Palace during the reign of his maternal grandfather, King George VI, and ...

) Representative on the islands. Consequently, the Cayman Islands Regiment is under the control of the Governor, who acts as Commander-in-Chief of the Regiment. Remuneration and financing is the responsibility of the Ministry of Home Affairs. There is additional assistance, especially with training and equipment, from the

. The Regiment's Honorary Colonel is Major General

Mark Lancaster, Baron Lancaster of Kimbolton Major General (United Kingdom), Major General John Mark Lancaster, Baron Lancaster of Kimbolton, (born 12 May 1970) is a British Conservative Party (UK), Conservative Party politician, a Member of the House of Lords and a British Army reserve o ...

Commanding officers

Colonel Colonel ( ; abbreviated as Col., Col, or COL) is a senior military Officer (armed forces), officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, a colon ...

Roger Carter became the regiment's commanding officer on 14 April 2023.

Former commanding officers

Lieutenant Colonel Simon Watson (2020–2023)

Recruitment and training

Commissioned officers

The first set of junior officer recruits were sent to Bermuda to train at Warwick Camp alongside recruits of the

for their basic military training. This is a two-week course. The first set of Junior Officers then gone on to an intense condensed 8 week Officer course at

. The following sets of Officer Cadets were sent directly to the 8 week course at

Non-commissioned officers and recruits

Upon passing through the selection process recruits attend a 14-day non-residential Basic training camp. The basic training gives the recruits the following requisite skills: weapon training, first-aid, radio communications, drill, basic navigation and fitness. Since 2020 the regiment has taken on several cohorts with 1-2 new cohorts a year. As of mid-2021 the regiment has over 100 members, and is still growing. Further training is given to the members after basic training, this not only further skills gained by the members but also provides promotions through the ranks.

Uniforms

Cap badge

The regimental cap badge of the Cayman Islands Regiment is a compilation of elements that honour Caymanian heritage. 'The Crown' signifies Cayman's ties to the UK. 'The Three Wraps of Gold Rope' symbolizes the seafaring heritage of the forefathers from

Cayman Brac Cayman Brac is an island that is part of the Cayman Islands. It lies in the Caribbean Sea about north-east of Grand Cayman and east of Little Cayman. It is about long, with an average width of . Its terrain is the most prominent of the thre ...

, and

Little Cayman Little Cayman is one of three Islands that make up the Cayman Islands. It is located in the Caribbean Sea, approximately 60 miles (96 km) northeast of East End, Grand Cayman and five miles (8 km) west of West End, Cayman Brac. Little ...

. 'The Silver Thatch Palm' is Cayman's National Plant, and this is silhouetted against the blue of the Sea that surrounds the Islands.

Clothing

The uniforms, weapons, and equipment for the Cayman Islands Regiment will be provided by the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence. During the basic training, the recruits are given the same kits as those of the

recruits. This is mainly the British Army's No. 8 Combat Dress

Multi-Terrain Pattern The Multi-Terrain Pattern (MTP) is the standard camouflage pattern of the British Armed Forces. It is a modified version of the Disruptive Pattern Material camouflage with Multicam colours. As part of the British Ministry of Defence's (MOD) P ...

Personal Clothing System – Combat Uniform (PCS-CU). The PCS-CU mostly consists of a windproof smock, a lightweight jacket, and trousers with a range of ancillaries such as thermals and waterproofs. Recruits are also issued with British Army Standard Issued Brown Combat Boots. Regimental Personnel also have the No.2 Service Dress, This is (part of Future Army Dress (FAD) programme)a khaki Jacket and Trousers with Fawn dress shirt with tie and dress shoes. No.3 Warm Weather Dress, This is a white Tunic with dark blue Trousers with a yellow running stripe at the sides. No.4 Warm Weather Service Dress, This is for the Officers its similar to the No.2 however in a Stone colour. The No.13 Barracks Dress, This is similar to the No. 2 without the jacket and could be worn with green 'wolly-pully' jumper or woollen jersey.

Ranks

Ranks of the Cayman Islands Regiment are exactly the same as the rest of the

: Commissioned officers Non-commissioned officers

Equipment

Rifles

Pistols

Vehicles

Cayman Islands Regiment used the following vehicles as of 2025:

References

External links

Cayman Islands Regiment
{{The British Army Infantry regiments of the British Army Military of the Cayman Islands Military units and formations established in 2020