| Barbados Defence Force | |
| Headquarters: | Saint Ann's Fort[1] |
| Commander-In-Chief: | Sandra Mason |
| Commander-In-Chief Title: | President of Barbados |
| Chief Minister: | Mia Mottley |
| Chief Minister Title: | Prime Minister |
| Commander: | Commodore Errington Shurland |
| Commander Title: | Chief of Staff |
| Age: | 18 years of age[2] |
| Conscription: | Voluntary service |
| Active: | 600 |
| Percent Gdp: | 0.8% (2022) |
| Ranks: | Military ranks of Barbados |
The Barbados Defence Force (BDF) is the name given to the combined armed forces of Barbados. The BDF was established 15 August 1979, and has responsibility for the territorial defence and internal security of the island. The Headquarters for the Barbados Defence Force is located at St. Ann's Fort, The Garrison, Saint Michael.
There are three main components of the BDF:
Barbados Cadet Corps is commanded by the Commandant of the Barbados Cadet Corps Commander David Dowridge who is also a former Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS). This is the military youth organisation of the Defence Force. Includes Infantry and Sea Cadets. This organisation was started in 1904. The first females joined the cadet corps in the 1970s to 1980s. The Cadet Corps has a pledge and also a song. It started with 3 normal units but today has expanded to 22. These units are grouped into zones. There are also a band, sea cadet, and medical units along with a shooting programme.
The Barbados Defence Force Sports Program is the sporting arm of the BDF, specializing in the recruitment and training of athletes in five sports; football, cricket, table tennis, athletics and boxing.
Similarly to its American, British and Canadian counterparts, the BDF has a voluntary veteran's organization known as the Barbados Legion. It was founded in 1957, nine years prior to independence. Being a registered charity, it receives assistance from the Barbados Poppy League and the national government.[4] [5]
The Zouave Band is the premier musical unit in the BDF, with the other being the band of the Barbados Cadet Corps. Its national uniformed military counterpart is the Barbados Police Band. It traces its own history back to the Band of the West India Regiment, which is considered to be the precursor to most Caribbean military bands formerly under British control. As a result, the band also has a shared lineage with the Jamaica Military Band.[6]
The BCC maintains a marching band known as the National Cadet Band and performs on national occasions with the BCC and the BDF. It is composed of students from public and private schools in the area. They performs in two modes configurations: a marching band and a concert band. The band of dates back to the early 1920s when the local cadet corps maintained a fife and drum corps. Between 1950 and 2006, individual school units had drum corps which catered to the activities of the unit and school. In 1973, the Combermere Cadet Band was formed and for 22 years it was the only brass and reef cadet band among other secondary schools on the island. Its last performance was at the Independence Day Parade of 1995 when the National Cadet Band was formed. As part of the centennial anniversary celebrations of the BCC in 2004, the Band became a permanent full-time unit, performing at an Independence Day Parade that year and again the following year.[7]
In 1856, a French Zouave uniform was adopted and was first paraded in Barbados in 1858. It was subsequently adopted by the Barbados Defence Force Band as a symbolic tribute to the old Band of the West India Regiment. The uniform is also worn by the Jamaica Military Band.[8] It consists of a red fez wound together by a white turban and a scarlet sleeveless jacket.[9] It survives as the full dress uniform and is where the band's nickname; the Zouave Band; derives from.[10] It is commonly believed that Queen Victoria saw the uniform worn by the colonial Zouaoua tribe in French Algeria. She was immediately struck with the style of the uniform and the British Army to adopt the uniform for one of its regiments, with the honour being conferred onto the West India Regiment.[11]
The Changing of the Sentry is an event performed by the BDF that takes place in front of the 1804 Main Guard or Clock Tower. The guardsmen from the BDF are known commonly as The Main Guard. The sentries are drawn by members of the Barbados Legion, other retired personnel, and the Barbados Regiment. During the ceremony, a Corps of Drums provides musical accompaniment. It is performed every Thursday morning at 11:45 am.[12] [13]
Since 30 November 2021, President Dame Sandra Mason has been the commander-in-chief of the Barbados Defence Forces. Prior to the transition to a republican system, the monarch of Barbados, Queen Elizabeth II, was head of the Defence Force, with the Governor-General of Barbados as her Vice-Regal representative.
See main article: Chief of Staff (Barbados).