The Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment is the home defence unit of the British Overseas Territory of the Turks and Caicos Islands. It is a territorial infantry and engineer reserve unit of the British Armed Forces that was formed in 2020. The Regiment has an authorized strength level objective of 46 personnel, akin to that of a platoon-sized unit.[2]
| Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment | |
|---|---|
| Active | 2020–present |
| Country |  Turks and Caicos Islands United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army Royal Marines |
| Type | Line Infantry Marines |
| Role | Internal security, local and regional humanitarian operations, maritime security operations |
| Size | Authorized strength: 6 officers and 40 part-time reserve personnel[1] |
| Commanders | |
| Commanding officer | Lieutenant Colonel Ennis Grant |
| Warrant Officer | WO2 Joel Richards |
Background
editThe Turks and Caicos Islands, as a British Overseas Territory, are defended by the United Kingdom.[3]
Structure
editThe TCI Regiment state that they are a Contingent Military Force and have three main functions:
- Defence of the Islands
- Disaster Relief and Humanitarian Assistance
- Border Protection.[4]
History
editGovernor Nigel Dakin announced in early December 2019 that the Turks and Caicos was going to build its own defence regiment, the Turks and Caicos Regiment, with the assistance of the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence, similar to the Royal Bermuda Regiment, the Cayman Islands Regiment, the Royal Montserrat Defence Force, the Falkland Islands Defence Force, and the Royal Gibraltar Regiment. The Turks and Caicos Regiment, like the Royal Bermuda Regiment and the Cayman Islands Regiment, would focus on increasing the nation's security, and, in times of natural disasters, the regiment would be trained in engineering and communications. In mid-December 2019, a team from the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence was on Turks and Caicos to start building the regiment. It is projected that the Turk and Caicos Regiment will become operational sometime in the third quarter of 2020.[5]
In spring 2020, a Security and Assistance Team from the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence arrived in Turks and Caicos to assist with the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, and to help build the new Turks and Caicos Regiment.[6]
In early June 2020, Lieutenant Colonel Ennis Grant was appointed as commanding officer of the new Turks and Caicos Regiment.[7] An additional five permanent staff and forty reserve posts consisting of non-commissioned officers and marines will be recruited later in 2020.[7]
Major John Galleymore was appointed as Second-in-Command of the Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment.[8]
The first passing out parade occurred in summer 2021.[9]
Commanding officers
editAs of January 2020, the commanding officer is Lieutenant Colonel Ennis Grant.[8]
Uniform and Equipment
editPersonnel wear standard British Army uniforms.
- No. 1 Dress - similar in cut & style to The Rifles
- Combat Uniform - standard MTP uniform.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment".
- ^ "Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment".
- ^ "CIA World Factbook- Turks and Caicos Islands". Retrieved 19 July 2019.
- ^ TCI Regiment, Facebook. "TCI Regiment". Retrieved 10 May 2023.
{{cite web}}:|first1=has generic name (help) - ^ "TCI to build its own military regiment". Turks and Caicos Weekly News. 16 December 2019. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
- ^ "Arrival Of A Security Assistance Team In TCI From The UK". Turks and Caicos Tourist Board. 23 April 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
- ^ a b "TCI Regiment gets its first commanding officer". Turks and Caicos Weekly News. 12 June 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
- ^ a b "Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment".
- ^ FCDO, Website. "Turks and Caicos Islands Governor addresses the TCI regiment's first passing out parade". GOV.UK. Retrieved 10 May 2023.