NASSAU, BAHAMAS — On Friday, Commander Defence Force Commodore Raymond King and his wife hosted the first four commodores of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) in what was the first official visit for the former leaders at the new offices of the RBDF Defence Headquarters on John F Kennedy Drive.
Retired commodores Leon Livingstone Smith, Davy Rolle, Clifford Scavella and Roderick Bowe were guests of honor during a luncheon reception hosted by the combined efforts of Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security Marco Rolle and the office of the Ministry of National Security, Minister of National Security Marvin Dames, Commodore King and the officers and marines of the RBDF Headquarters staff.
During the visit, gift presentations were made by Fredricka King, retired chief petty officer, for the impact the former commodores had on her and Commodore King’s careers. The former leaders were subsequently taken on a brief tour of the Defence Headquarters’ office spaces and afterward presented with tokens of appreciation for their valuable services to the organization.
The visit facilitated the opportunity for the current and former commodores to discuss issues related to national security and plans for the continued transformation of the RBDF, as well as to strengthen ties with the organization’s chiefs of defense staff. The former commodores also assisted with presenting awards to the RBDF Headquarters Marine of the Year, for which former Commodore Tellis Bethel was present.
The RBDF has seen a total of eight commanders defence force since its inception. The first two commodores were officers from the Royal Navy, and Commodore Smith was the first Bahamian to be appointed commander defence force in 1983. Commodore Rolle succeeded him in 1997, following which Commodore Scavella assumed office in 2006. Commodore Bowe succeeded him in 2010, followed by Commodore Bethel in 2015. Commodore King currently heads the organization, having been appointed in 2020.
As the RBDF observes forty years as an official entity, Commodore King and the officers and marines saluted the former commodores who have not only contributed to the success of the organization but also paved the way for future leaders.
The visit was “in keeping with Commander Defence Force Commodore Raymond King’s objective of strengthening the organization’s linkage with its past”, the force said in a release.
