ABOUT THE BARBADOS REGIMENT
The Barbados Volunteer Force was formed in 1902 and was founded as a volunteer unit raised to provide local defence for the island following the withdrawal of the British Garrison. Soldiers of the BVF during the First World War who were desirous to join international Regiments were allowed to do so. During the Second World War the BVF went into abeyance and formed the Home Guard; while the British Army returned as part of both the South Caribbean Force and the Caribbean Regiment, from 1941 – 1947.
In 1948, the BVF was re-established and renamed the Barbados Regiment. Barbados was part of the Federation of the West Indies and contributed to the 3rd Battalion, West India Regiment.
The Regiment received its first stand of colours in 1953. These colours were later changed after the country gained Independence in 1979.
On the 15th of August 1979 the Barbados Defence Force was formed and the officers of the Barbados Regiment were given the option of joining full time or remaining on the reserve.
Today the Barbados Regiment is the land force component of the Barbados Defence Force and its mission is “To conduct an array of land-based operations in support of the achievement of the BDF’s aims, objectives and priorities.”
The Regiment is comprised of a number of sub-units and is responsible for the execution of land operations. The Regiment provides military aid to the Civil Power, Civil Ministries and Civilian Community, and is an integral part of the nation’s disaster response and management system.
Command Element
Commanding Officer
Major Carlos A R Lovell MA, psc(j), MCMI
Major Carlos Lovell was born on 25 April 1979 and joined the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) on 22 July 1998. In his youth he was a member of the Barbados Cadet Corps and he credits this organization with his early passion for military service. So strong was his passion, that even before he graduated 6th form at the Lodge School, he enlisted in the BDF and was promptly dispatched to an infantry officer’s training course in Canada.
During the two decades of his service, he has enjoyed a fulfilling career in the Barbados Regiment prosecuting landbased operations and embarking on training as far a-field as China. Despite his infantry background, he is most well-known to the public as the Aide-de-Camp to the former Governor General of Barbados.
Second in Command
Major Joel Greenidge
Major Joel Greenidge a proud student of the Parkinson Memorial Secondary School began his military career in the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) as an infantry soldier in 1994. He served as a Section Commander in the then Commando Squadron, a recruit training instructor in Training Company and a Platoon Sergeant in Alpha Company (presently Special Operations Company, Barbados Regiment). In May 2004, he attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and was commissioned as an officer in the BDF after successfully completing Commissioning Course 042 in April 2005. Major Greenidge’s military postings include service with the: Commando Squadron 1997 – 1999, Section Second-in-Command; Alpha Company 1999 – 2003, Alpha Company 2003 – 2004 Platoon Sergeant…
Major Joel Greenidge a proud student of the Parkinson Memorial Secondary School began his military career in the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) as an infantry soldier in 1994. He served as a Section Commander in the then Commando Squadron, a recruit training instructor in Training Company and a Platoon Sargeant in Alpha Company (presently Special Operations Company, Barbados Regiment). In May 2004, he attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and was commissioned as an officer in the BDF after successfully completing Commissioning Course 042 in April 2005. Major Greenidge’s military postings include service with the:Regimental Sergeant Major
Warrant Officer 1 Adrian Lopez
Warrant Office Class 1 Adrian Lopez was born on 14 November 1968 and joined the Reserve element of the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) in May 1985. He transferred to the full-time element of the BDF in May 1990 and was posted to the then Commando Squadron. He was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal in December 1992, to the rank of Corporal in April 1994; to the rank of Sergeant in August 1997; to the rank of Chief Petty Officer in August 2007, to the rank of Warrant Officer Class 2 in August 2014 and to the rank of Warrant Officer Class 1 in August 2017. While serving in the Reserve element of the Force, he completed a Junior Non-commissioned Cadre at New Castle Jamaica in 1988. In 1997 he was awarded the best student accolade having successfully completed the Senior Non-commissioned Officer Cadre.
