An Airport Duty Officer with The Cayman Islands Airports Authority (CIAA), which operates the Owen Roberts International Airport (ORIA) and the Charles Kirkconnell International Airport (CKIA), was recently recruited to the Cayman Islands Regiment. The Cayman Islands Regiment, Cayman’s first formal military formation, which was formed in August 2020, provides disaster relief and security within the Cayman Islands and the wider Caribbean region and aims to recruit, train and develop soldiers and officers within the Islands.
Jerad Ebanks was selected to join the Cayman Islands Regiment formation as a Reserve Trooper, along with 50 others, after an extensive and rigorous recruitment process that involved fitness, aptitude, medical assessments, an interview and a commitment to other eligibility requirements. After the recruitment process, the recruits began two weeks of basic training, which tested their character through teamwork, fitness, resilience, mental focus, drill, navigation, and disaster management, to name a few. On completion of basic training, Trooper Ebanks was awarded ‘Best recruit’ of his course. He was also subsequently promoted to rank of Acting Lance Corporal along with other troopers, a rank that can be given upon completion of basic training for demonstrating strong leadership qualities.
On his joining the Cayman Islands Regiment, L/Cpl Ebanks said, “I have always wanted to serve in the military. I have a strong love for my country and its people, and the Cayman Islands Regiment provided me with the perfect opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream of honorably serving my country and helping others during a humanitarian crisis or civil emergency.”
Mr. Ebanks has been employed with the CIAA since September 2014. As an airport duty officer at Owen Roberts International Airport, he feels that both roles complement one another. “Being involved in an organization like the Cayman Islands Regiment helps a person to build character and learn the importance and value of skills such as discipline, commitment, being a team player and mental strength to deal with challenging tasks, which are also essential in my day-to-day role at the Airport where I am responsible for ensuring apron compliance and aerodrome safety,” he said. “I feel very honored to be entrusted to lead my fellow troopers as Reservist Acting Lance Corporal, and I am grateful to my management team at the CIAA for their support in allowing me to embark on such an exciting and fulfilling journey as part of the 51-platoon Regiment.”
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