Trinidad & Tobago Regiment [TTR]

The Trinidad and Tobago Regiment is the main ground force element of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force. It has approximately 3000+ men and women organized into a Regiment Headquarters (located in Chaguaramas) and four battalions. The regiment has two primary roles; Maintaining the internal security of Trinidad and Tobago and the assistance of local law enforcement. As one of the larger military forces in the region, the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment is also one of the main units used in peacekeeping and humanitarian situations from the Caribbean region.

Teh Regiment had no heavy equipment or armored vehicles, and its rifles and machine guns were all of British origin. By the 1980s equipment in the armed forces was deteriorating and poorly maintained. Very few of the 150 vehicles in the Defence Force were believed to be operational in early 1987. The Trinidad and Tobago Regiment is an arm of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, which falls under the purview of the Ministry of National Security. The mission of the Regiment is “to contribute to the maintenance of a safe and secure environment for the well being of the people of Trinidad and Tobago, and to assist in the promotion of hemispheric and international security and development, with a well equipped force, trained in a broad range of disciplines and actively involved in community development.”

• Defence against external and internal aggression
• Join Army/Police patrols and or exercises aimed at Drug Interdiction, Crime Reduction
• Provide security and protection for the President and Prime Minister
• Perform ceremonial duties
• International Peacekeeping

The Regiment consists of four Battalions each with separate functions of infantry, logistics and engineering that integrate for maximum efficiency in accomplishing the functions of the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment. Although it is called the Trinidad & Tobago Regiment, the TTR is in fact structured more like a light infantry brigade, with a pair of infantry battalions, plus engineering and logistic support units:

• 1st Battalion (Infantry), Trinidad and Tobago Regiment: This is the regular infantry battalion. It is located at Camp Ogden, Long Circular Road, St James.
• 2nd Battalion (Infantry), Trinidad and Tobago Regiment: This is also a regular infantry battalion. Formerly located at Camp Mausica, since then it has been relocated to the Chaguaramas Heliport and is due to be relocated to a new camp in Caroni.
• 3rd Battalion (Engineers): This provides engineering support. It is located at Camp Cumuto, Wallerfield.
• 4th battalion (Service and Support): This provides logistic and administrative support. It is located at the Teteron Barracks, Teteron Bay, Chaguaramas.

The Trinidad and Tobago Regiment also provides the bulk of the musicians assigned to the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Steel Orchestra, the world's first and only military steel band. The Regiment also maintains a Camp Omega, also at Chaguaramas, which is used primarily for infantry training.

The Trinidad and Tobago Regiment (TTR) was established in 23 July 1962 and consisted only the First Battalion (1TTR). The First Battalion was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel P. Gould, a British Officer, seconded to the TTR during its formative years. The Support and Service Battalion (SSB), the Second Infantry Battalion (2TTR) and the Engineer Battalion (Engr) were formed later and comprise of what is now known as the TTR. The TTR forms part of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) and is the land Force, the other being the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard (TTCG) which is the Maritime Force. The TTDF functions under the Defence Act, Chapter 14:01 of the laws of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.