RBDF - Personnel

In 1986 the RBDF was a 530-member force headed by a commander and headquartered at a base at Coral Harbour on New Providence. By 2017 the force had grown to about 1,200 personnel [other soruces report as many as 1,600 personnel].

During a radio interview on the Bahamas radio station Love 97 Issues of the Day show on 05 December 2006, the RBDF commander stated that up to 25% of the ranks of the Defence Force are 'bad apples' and need to be weeded out. By 2008 the RBDF had reduced numbers by a third in order to remove undesirable personnel from the ranks.

Training is essential to every organization as it is the foundation of learning. but is is particularly critical to military entities that are required to adapt and evolve as technology evolves. The Training Department is responsible for conducting new entry training, advancement and recurrent training, and Course Design. It is also charged with preparing Officers and Marines, both physically and academically for local and international courses.

Initially, Basic or New Entry Training was conducted at the Police Training College at Oakes Field. New Entry 6 became the first entry to be trained at HMBS Coral Harbour, in 1980. Originally 15 weeks, the now sixteen-week new entry training entails instruction in a total of sixteen (16) subjects, which include professional areas such as Seamanship, Navigation, Small Arms and First Aid, and academic subjects such as Math and English. Recruits are also taught the importance of discipline and character development, this against a background of physical fitness training.

Selected Commando Squadron marines receive training in a number of professional military subjects in areas such as Counter Terrorism, Amphibious Operations, Demolition and Explosives Identification and Recognition, Skill at Arms, Communications, and Field Craft. They also participate in the marine phase of Trade Winds, an annual exercise that includes forces from the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

A recruitment campaign began for marines almost immediately after Commodore Designate Swinley's arrival in 1976. The Ministry of Defence published a release in the Nassau Guardian looking for candidates. The selection tests were held on the 18th, 19th and 20th April 1977 for the droves of anxious young men clamoring to become marines. The first group of enlisted men, 27 in total, joined the ranks on 02 May 1977.

The course trained the young men in areas as Ships' Stability, Radar Technology, Naval Traditions, Strategic Studies, Operations, Meteorology, Oceanography, Rules of the Road, Navigation, Seamanship, Communications, Engineering, Damage Control, Parade and Physical Training and a 9 week Initial Sea Training Course onboard a Royal Navy Battleship. Upon their return to The Bahamas, they were promoted to Acting Sub-Lieutenants.

It was often said that those who undergo the Midshipman Course at Dartmouth could progress straight through the ranks, up to Commodore. It is alleged also that those who have done the Special Duties or Upper Yardsman course knew that the furthest their careers could ever progress would be to the rank of Lieutenant Commander and the post of Commodore would never be opened to them.

The first woman entry was allowed to enlist on 28 October 1985, following a total of 17 all male entries joining.