Commitment to Duty!

BDF Media Release| 18 September 20

Photography and Story credit: BDF Media

The Officers, Enlisted Ranks and civilian staff of the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) proudly extend warm congratulations to our Chief of Staff, Colonel Glyne Sinatra Grannum on the occasion of his 35th anniversary with the Force. In February 2017, Colonel Grannum assumed command of the BDF becoming the Force’s fifth Chief of Staff.

Colonel Grannum confidently enlisted in the BDF on Friday 18 October 1985 and embarked on a journey which saw him successfully undertake a variety of local, regional and international military training courses. Such training included career development training at the Canadian Forces Officer Candidate School, Chilliwack and the Combat Training Centre, Gagetown New Brunswick, Canada.

Colonel Grannum is a qualified Regimental Signals Officer and has held other notable appoints such as Commanding Officer Barbados Regiment, Finance Officer in Headquarters BDF and Director of Operations and Plans in the Regional Security System. He was instrumental in the developing the careers of junior commissioned officers as a member of the Directing Staff of the Caribbean Junior Command and Staff Course in Newcastle, Jamaica. One gem in his career’s portfolio is being the lead architect for the design of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 Security Plan.  This plan which he conceptualized became the template for other Caribbean states which we selected to host the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2007.

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Over his illustrious career he has been awarded several medals in recognition of his selfless service to Barbados and the region. These awards include the Chief of Staff’s Commendation (1994), two Defence Board Commendations (1996 and 2007), the Meritorious Service Medal (1998), the Services Medal of Honour, the General Service Medal (2011), the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (2013) and the Governor-General of Barbados’ Medal of Honour (2017).

Some of his achievements to date are;

A successful deployment of troops to assist in the rehabilitation and security for the hurricane devastated Republic of the Dominica after the passage of Hurricane Maria in 2017.

2. Rebranding of the Training and Development Institute to incorporate study for Caribbean Vocational Qualifications levels 1 – 4.

3. The development of the BDF Field Medical Facility which achieved Level 1 certification in 2019

4. Enhanced operational capacity to counter contemporary multidimensional security threats

His 35 years of military service have been tremendously meaningful, worthwhile and he has exemplified the Core Values of the BDF in every assignment which he undertakes.  Despite the many sacrifices along this 35-year journey; Colonel Grannum considers it a privilege to be at the helm of the BDF.  He reflected on his vision of leading the Force to become the region’s premier military institution.  Trained, organized and ready to respond to any form of security threats. At the core of the Force’s modernization for Colonel Grannum is youth development. His desire is to ensure the youth acquire the necessary skills and mentorship needed through programmes within the Barbados Cadet Corps to become upstanding members of society.

Sir, as you celebrate this milestone of exemplary service, we wish you all the best as you continue to provide sound leadership to the men and women of the Barbados Defence Force.