Page 82 - Bugle Issue 20 Autumn 2022

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RIFLES PSI TO THE TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS REGIMENT
WO2 Tyson with four of the TCI Regiment’s officers prior to the National Heroes Day parade at Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands. (L to R Lt Henry, Capt Glinton, WO2 Tyson, Capt Parker, Lt Glinton)
Just north of the Caribbean Sea lies a little known British Overseas Territory called the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). A natural archipelago with some of the best beaches in the world and according to many, a
top scuba diving location, known in TCI
as “beautiful by nature”. You can imagine
my surprise to learn that there was an opportunity to be posted here for six-months as the Permanent Staff Instructor (PSI) to a newly formed Regiment that has a bond of friendship with The Rifles. I was to be the third of four PSI’s from The Rifles.
In December 2019 The Governor of TCI, His Excellency Sir Nigel Dakin CMG, announced that TCI was to form a Regiment. They were officially formed on 11th June 2020 with the appointment of their first Commanding Officer, Lt Col E. Grant. The Regiment currently has seven permanent staff and 33 Reserve Marines with five of the Officers having
attend RMAS Sandhurst. Additionally, ten
of the Reserve Marines have now attended an NCO cadre run by the Royal Bermuda Regiment. From humble beginnings in 2020 the Regiment is beginning to form into a
structure we would all recognise in The Rifles. Why would such an idyllic country need
a Regiment I hear you ask? Well, beneath the surface of this Caribbean paradise lies several issues that such a small country has struggled to respond to. Firstly, the country
suffers a hurricane season every year,
which can devastate the island and its infrastructure. In 2017 two category five hurricanes (MARIA and IRMA) ripped through
the country causing mass devastation. The UK has an ongoing commitment to assist with humanitarian aid and disaster relief. The
82 RIFLES The Bugle
Twelve members of the Regiment form up Infront of the Governor and the Premier for National Heroes Day parade at Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands