The idea of a retired Military Association to manage the resettlement needs of all ex service personnel of the JDF including post world war veterans, was originally discussed between Col. Bunny Stern and then Major Stacey Thompson in London, England in 1988.

It was not until some ten years later at the home of retired Lt. Col. Stacey Thompson that CAMP was born with a meeting convened by himself and attended by other Jamaican and Guyanese retired officers Major Hylton McDavid (Guyana), Mr. Wayne Longmore (Jamaica) and Capt. Raymond Eytle (Guyana).

After a number of initial planning meetings over a one year period, that competed with the hectic personal schedules of these founding members, a steering committee was formed with the aim of launching the organization, and of establishing chapters in at least three (3) Caribbean countries. This committee comprised:

Lt Col Stacey Thompson Chairman

Major Errol Alliman V/Chairman

Col Bunny Stern

Major Ian Miles

Capt Raymond Eytle

Major Charles Rodriquez

Mr. Derrick McKoy

Major Winston Dwyer

Ms Christine Morrell Coordinator

Founding members saw a great need for resettlement of retiring soldiers to include psychological, medical and financial counseling as well as job placement services. It was felt that this was outside the mandates of existing associations (Jamaica Legion, RAFA and Ex-services league) which were established and performed creditably for World War veterans, but did not seem to appeal to younger, post-independence retired soldiers, despite sustained recruitment efforts over many years by various regimes.

A secondary need was also identified for assistance in rebuilding basic civic principles, positive values and leadership among our people, particularly the youth. It was felt that this organization should make its members available as required in leadership roles to this end.

These needs were found to be common among other Regional Forces in their respective countries, as was ascertained by Col. Thompson during regular discussions with his retired military counterparts while on private assignments in these countries.

The need was therefore identified for a REGIONAL organization with a much WIDER MANDATE than currently existed or was considered feasible to modify.

CAMP was launched on the Saturday evening of 8th April, 2000 at Curphey Place. The Programme was chaired by Mr. Merrick Needham with Monsigneur Richard Albert as guest speaker and was attended by approximately 140 Serving and Retired Officers and their spouses/guests who were elegantly entertained by the Jamaica Military Band and Combo Supreme.

Formation of Kingston Chapter

The first chapter (Kingston Chapter) was formed at the inaugural Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at Curphey Place on 14th July, 2000. The committee elected for this chapter comprised:

President: Capt Tal Stokes

V/President: Major Charles Rodriques

Secretary: Miss Carol Cooper

Treasurer: Major Winston Dwyer

Directors: Major Winston Dwyer

Mr. Carlton Boothe

Major Victor Beek

Within 5 years

• Establish a credible and effective resettlement programme for ex-service personnel.

Within a 10-15 year period

• Work with other organizations to create a culture of discipline, loyalty, patriotism sense of duty and productivity among community youth.

Retired servicemen and women from Caribbean Forces (West India Regiment) wherever in the world they may be.

• By pooling our organizational and technical resources and skills for any feasible undertaking to assist ex-services personnel and nation.

• Inclusion - Networking with all Military, Governmental, Non-Governmental and Civic organizations. Working WITH instead of working AGAINST.

• Non-Partisan, non-Political activities.

• Resettlement Training

• Community projects within competency

• Fundraising

• Assist with communicating military history and national development issues as necessary.

• Motivational talks

• Lobby for development of public services

• Comment on regional and national debate on security or other matters when considered useful and necessary.

• All Serving members of military in country.

• Ex and serving Cadet Officers and cadet Directing Staff SNCOs.

• Senior Civil Servants (as appropriate).

• Ex- commonwealth and US service personnel living in country.

• Any serving person of any Force attached to military in country.

• Members of RAFA/Legion/Ex-services

• Must have done something outstanding for the military or CAMP (in the determination of Governing Body)

• UK Defence Attaches serving in country

• Canadian and Indian High Commissioners in country

• US DA/MLO in country.

Two levels of organization

• • The Governing Body (Secretariat) and;

  • The Chapter

• Governing Body provides staff and Chapters provide operational arms of organization

• Each Chapter reports to Governing Body

Chapters can be formed based on any appropriate grouping

• Geography

• Rank

• Discipline (Unit)

• Other as considered appropriate by members

Chapter must each:

• Have at least 30 members

• Meet monthly

• Be involved in at least one major benevolence project per year

• May be outside Caribbean (e.g. ex service personnel in New York, Miami, London etc)

• If there are more than 3 Chapters in any one country, an administrative country secretariat may be formed by the Governing Body.

At least the following Sub-Committee Chairmen are to be appointed by Chapter Executives:

• Welfare (Including Legion/RAFA liaison)

• Membership

• Fund Raising

• PR, Education and Information (guidelines to be developed for press releases)

• Projects

• Entertainment

• Chapter constitution to be prescribed