About The

BARBADOS CADET CORPS

 ABOUT THE BARBADOS CADET CORPS

The Barbados Cadet Corps is the oldest Cadet Corps in the region. The first unit of the Barbados Cadet Corps was formed at the Lodge School in 1904 and this was followed by the formation of companies at Harrison College and Combermere School.

In August 1978, cadets from Ellerslie Secondary were taken on strength as No 4 Company and by 1982 the Corps was expanded to 18 companies.

By 2010, companies were established at Deighton Griffith School, Lester Vaughan, Queen’s College and Alexandra School. Today the Corps comprises 24 units, 21 of these are in public secondary schools and one unit caters to private schools.

The Barbados Cadet Corps also has an Air Wing, a Sea Cadet Unit, a Cadet Corps Band, a Medical and a Shooting Unit.

Cadets may join the Corps as early as 13 years old and can remain until they are 20 years old, provided that they are in an educational institution. In that regard, there are cadets who attend the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic, the Barbados Community College and the University of the West Indies.

The mission of the Barbados Cadet Corps is to “use challenging activities and military discipline to create model citizens among a wide cross-section of young Barbadian boys and girls in educational institutions”. In addition to developing qualities of good citizenship, the Corps strives to give cadets an opportunity to learn skills that are useful throughout their adult life.

Command Element

Commandant

Lieutenant Colonel
Errol Brathwaite

 

Deputy Commandant

Lieutenant Commander
Carl Farley

 

Corps Warrant Officer

Master Chief Petty Officer 1
David Knight

 

Master Chief Petty Officer Class One (MCPO1) David Anderson Knight is a proud student of the Foundation School. He began his military career in the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) as a reserve infantry soldier in 1987. He transferred to the regular element in 1989 and served as a mess steward for a short period before moving into the Motor Transport Troop in 1990 where he was promoted to the rank LCpl and nominate to be the chauffeur/bodyguard of the Deputy Chief of Staff. He was also deployed to Trinidad and Tobago in 1990 in support of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force as a bodyguard of the contingent commander and to perform peacekeeping duties after an attempted coupe. MCPO DA Knight’s military posting includes: Catering Staff 1989 – 1990 Mess Steward; Motor Transport 1990 – 1994…

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Master Chief Petty Officer 1 David Knight

Master Chief Petty Officer Class One (MCPO1) David Anderson Knight is a proud student of the Foundation School. He began his military career in the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) as a reserve infantry soldier in 1987. He transferred to the regular element in 1989 and served as a mess steward for a short period before moving into the Motor Transport Troop in 1990 where he was promoted to the rank LCpl and nominate to be the chauffeur/bodyguard of the Deputy Chief of Staff. He was also deployed to Trinidad and Tobago in 1990 in support of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force as a bodyguard of the contingent commander and to perform peacekeeping duties after an attempted coupe.

MCPO DA Knight’s military posting includes: Catering Staff 1989 – 1990, Mess Steward; Motor Transport 1990 – 1994, Deputy Chief Staff Driver; Commando Squadron 1994 – 1998, Section Commander; Military Police Troop 1998 – 2000,Provost; Barbados Regiment Reserve 2000 – 2010, Trg SNCO; Sports Programme SNCO, CQMS Special Operations Company; Training Wing (Chief instructor); Barbados Regiment 2010 – 2012 Training Wing (Chief Instructor/ Training Officer/CQMS); Barbados Regiment 2012 – 2012 Training SNCO; Force Headquarters 2012 – 2014 G3 Training Warrant Officer; Barbados Coast Guard 2014 – 2017 Divisional Chief Administration Division and Barbados Regiment 2017 Regimental Sergeant Major; Barbados Cadet Corps July – October 2017 Administrative Officer. He is presently the Corps Warrant Officer.

During his 30 years of service, he attended various training courses, these courses include: BDF Commando, Junior & Senior Command, Warrant Officer, Military Police, All Arms Drill and the Range Authorization.

He can proudly acclaim to achieving some significant and memorable achievements during his service and they are:
The management and conduct of a Reserve Range Authorization Course;
Being a member of the training team conducted a reserve young officer course;
The reconstruction of the beach range as well as drafting the amendments for all BDF Ranges standing Orders.
The management and conduct of a Drill Course for the Barbados Boy scout;
The managing and conduct of a BCG reserve Junior Command Course;
The management and conduct of Junior Leadership and senior Leadership courses for the regional security systems in Antigua.
Training Officer and chief instructor on numerous courses ranging from Drill, Range, Junior and Senior command Courses just to mention few.
Being proficient in the conceptualization and developing, of course, training plans and developing complete training programs.
As a drill instructor, he has a responsibility for preparing all troops for nationals parade to include civilians.

MCPO DA Knight assisted with conceptualization, planning and execute numerous force level events on behalf of the Force headquarters. He is a member of the Barbados Defence Force Drill wing and is currently the Chief Instructor for all drill courses conducted by the FHQ.

He is the recipient of a General Service Medal, Jubilee Medal, Efficiency Medal, 1 Barbados Defence Board Commendations and 1 Chief of Staff Commendations.

MCPO Knight is a proud father of one and enjoys watching TV, Watching Football, and going to the movies.

In the near future, MCPO Knight seeks to complete a Master’s Degree Programme in Leadership and Innovation and pursue a career as a consultant in Leadership and Innovation, Human Resource Management.