Sub Lieutenants Antonio Adderley and Tiffilo Johnson are the newest addition to the Officer’s Corp of The Royal Bahamas Defence Force after successfully completing the Officer Candidate School in New London, Connecticut. To continue its effectiveness in meeting its mandate, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force has committed not only to expanding its overall strength but its cadre of professionally skilled and trained managers to lead the military entity.
The Officers were officially welcomed on their return at the Defence Force Base by Captain Raymond King, Acting Commander Defence Force on November 25th, 2019. He congratulated them on their achievements as they begin a new phase in their careers.
The rigorous seventeen-week Coast Guard course that Sub Lieutenants Adderley and Johnson underwent was sponsored by the International Military Education Training Program (IMET), and was conducted at the United States Coast Guard Academy, New London, Connecticut, from July 21st through Nov 19th, 2019. The course is designed to educate and train officer candidates to ensure that they possess the moral, intellectual and physical qualities for commissioning, and the leadership potential to serve effectively as officers, or managers in the naval field.
The course curriculum included numerous academic courses as well as modules on leadership and management, nautical science, customs and courtesies, military traditions, health and physical readiness, and Coast Guard history.
Photo shows from left: Captain Raymond King, Acting Commander Defence Force; Sub Lieutenants Antonio Adderley and Tiffilo Johnson; Lieutenant Commander Michael Hanna, Human Resource Officer.
(RBDF Photo by Marine Seaman Wellington Ramsey)
The Academic aspect of the course helped Sub Lieutenants Adderley and Johnson appreciate a broad spectrum perspective of the United States Coast Guard. It also exposed them to Maritime Law Enforcement, Military Etiquette, Uniform Code of Military Justice, and Effective Writing and Communication Skills.
The Nautical Science aspect included a two-week underway training cruise that consist of Navigation Law (Rules of the Road), where the officers were required to apply the knowledge of Piloting, Shipboard Communication, and Celestial Navigation. Additionally, both officers attended a two-day training session in Fire Fighting and Damage Control at The US Naval Base in New Port, Rhode Island.
The Leadership and Management section assessed the officers’ Leadership, Managerial and Conceptual abilities. Evaluations were based on Personal Conduct, Military Aptitude, Situational Awareness and Leadership Positions. Both officers were responsible for various administrative duties during their tenure at the school serving in roles such as Junior Officers of the Day, Academic Section Leaders, and Squad Leaders, along with their Collateral Duties.
A 2004 graduate of the C.V Bethel High School Sub Lieutenant Adderley enlisted in the Royal Bahamas Defence Force in October 2007 as a Marine Recruit. He successfully completed the Technical Training Course in 2008 and worked his way up to the rate of Able Mechanic. He attended the Enduring Friendship Training Course in Fort Myers, Florida in 2009, and The New England Institute of Technology where he earned an Associate’s Degree in Marine Technology and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management in 2016. He was previously assigned to the Engineering, Squadron Department and most recently, the Training Department prior to attending the Officer Candidate School.
A 1999 graduate of the C. R. Walker High School, Sub Lieutenant Johnson successfully completed the Military Operations Platoon Training in 2008. He participated in the Tradewinds Training Exercise in March 2011 in Antigua and Barbuda, and also assisted the Trinidad and Tobago’s military with armed protection during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and the arrival of the Queen of England in 2009. He progressed to the rate of Able Seaman and was awarded a two year Study Leave, earning himself an Associate’s Degree in Business Management. He was recognized for his outstanding academic performance and graduated with Credit from The Bahamas Baptist Community College in 2018. Prior to attending Officer Candidate School, Sub Lieutenant Johnson served in Commando Squadron, Military Police and Force Protection Unit, MACA and the Training Department.
