Barbados Defence Force Officer Carlos Lovell Promoted to Brigadier and Chief of Staff on September 18

Lieutenant Colonel Carlos Lovell, currently serving as the Military Advisor to the Chief of Staff of the Barbados Defence Force (BDF), will be promoted to the rank of Brigadier on September 18.

On the same day, he will assume the position of Chief of Staff, taking over the command of the military organisation from retiring Commodore Errington Shurland as it celebrates its 45th anniversary.

From a young age, Lovell was drawn to the structure and discipline that the military offered. He credits the Barbados Cadet Corps with setting him on this noble path, which provided him with a sense of purpose and direction during his formative years.

At just 12 years old, Lovell joined the Cadet Corps two days into his secondary school education at The Lodge School, quickly immersing himself in the organisation. Over the next eight years, the Cadet Corps became his training ground, instilling in him the values of discipline, leadership, and resilience.

Despite facing the challenges of limited resources while growing up, Lovell noted that he found an outlet for his ambitions through the Cadet Corps. This experience provided him with a strong foundation in military training and opened doors to opportunities that would shape his future.

Upon completing his education as a sixth-form student, Lovell officially joined the Barbados Defence Force on June 22, 1998. His entry into the BDF was marked by an immediate opportunity to travel overseas for military training. Within a week of enlisting, he was deployed to Canada to undergo a young officers’ course — a year-long commissioned officers course that served as his first exposure to international military training.

The Lt-Col describes this experience as transformative, not only because it was his first time travelling abroad but also because it set the stage for a career that would see him engaging with military personnel, politicians, and dignitaries from around the world.

Over the course of his 26-year career in the BDF, Lovell has been exposed to a wide range of military training and international engagements, taking him across the globe, where he has participated in various training programmes and represented Barbados in numerous high-level meetings and events. This exposure to global military practices and interactions with world leaders, he noted, has enriched his understanding of military strategy and leadership, making him a well-rounded and respected officer.

Lovell’s vision for the BDF emphasises regional cooperation, disaster response, and the professional development of its personnel. It is understood that among his priorities will be ensuring the modernisation of the BDF to become a more capable, agile, and versatile force, ready to effectively respond to the challenges of the 21st century.

On September 18, alongside Lovell’s promotion, several other key officers will also be taking on new roles. Commander Mark A Peterson, another Lodge School alumnus and currently the Staff Advisor to the Chief of Staff, will be appointed as the Deputy Chief of Staff and promoted to the rank of Captain Navy. Lieutenant Commander Ryan R Alleyne, also an alumnus of The Lodge School, will be promoted to the rank of Commander.

Lieutenant Commander Derrick A Brathwaite, who has been acting as the Commanding Officer of the Barbados Coast Guard, will be confirmed in this post and promoted to the rank of Commander.

Major Julia A DaBreo, the former Aide-de-Camp to former Governor General Dame Sandra Mason, will be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and confirmed as the Commanding Officer of the Barbados Regiment. Major DaBreo’s promotion marks a historic moment as she becomes the third female to lead the Barbados Regiment.

The Barbados Defence Force, established on August 15, 1979, comprises the Barbados Regiment, the Barbados Coast Guard, and the Barbados Cadet Corps. (RG)