‘The country is not all crime and violence’ JDF soldier speaks about his time in Haiti

After a dangerous deployment in Haiti, Staff Sergeant Raymar Rookwood returned home with a medal, a deeper appreciation of a country he says is far more than the violence dominating the headlines.

The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) soldier was among the personnel who served on the island as part of the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission, which was established to help Haiti’s National Police restore security amid escalating gang violence.

His service has now earned him the MSS Mission Medal, awarded to personnel who serve in support of the mission for at least six months.

“The medal is something that shows that you were a part of something great in its time,” Rookwood told THE STAR.

His deployment began in April last year. Despite knowing he was heading into a dangerous environment and would be separated from his family for an extended period, Rookwood said he never backed away from the assignment.

“It was something to think about in terms of what I was told we would be going into,” he said.

Jamaica’s contingent to the war-torn French-speaking Caribbean territory was aimed at providing command, planning and logistics support. The JDF said that one of the team’s major tasks was “the delivery of essential intelligence and operational planning support to the MSS Headquarters”, in order to help shape mission strategy and allow for coordinated security operations across Haiti. Several members of the JDF were deployed on the mission.

“We did what we went to do and came back to our families safely.” Rookwood said.

But, beyond the security crisis and headlines about gang violence, Rookwood said he discovered another Haiti — one that he believes is rarely seen.

“It’s like Jamaica. Whenever Jamaica gets highlighted in the media, it’s mostly on the negative side. Persons tend to focus on the number of deaths, murders, crime and violence. But the country is not all about crime and violence.”

“There are beautiful communities, spaces and areas throughout Haiti that are quite nice, luxurious and welcoming. The country is not all crime and violence and, even though most of the time it’s the bad things that are highlighted, there are many good things about Haiti that are being left out.”

“Trust me, if you get to know the country and what the country is all about, you would see how beautiful the country is. Just like Jamaica, people tend to follow the bad things and not the good things, so it will seem all bad and frightening at face value. But, when you go for yourself, you really see things different.”

Still, Rookwood understands why Jamaicans may have worried about him being deployed to Haiti.

“It’s not a matter of not being worried, because the threat is real. The gangs and the security issues are real but, as much as that is a part of the reality, the good side of Haiti is also there.”

Growing up in Enfield district, Gordon Town, St Andrew, with five siblings, Rookwood never imagined he would spend his adult life in uniform.

“Growing up, persons had always told me that I looked fit enough to be in the military, and at other times they would say I looked like a real soldier. It wasn’t something that I wanted to do, but, because of becoming an adult and responsibilities, I was advised to try for the army and here I am today.”

The former St Martin de Porres Basic and Primary School and Excelsior High School student once had his sights set on medicine.

“In the initial stage, I wanted to be a doctor. However, growing up, gaining additional experience and being exposed otherwise, my interests changed. Even though my interest changed, I still ended up in something that wasn’t the first choice. As it is now, I love being in the army.”

Rookwood enlisted in the JDF in August 2006 and still remembers his first day of military training.

“I remember the day like it was yesterday. It was a wet Sunday going to Newcastle. Training was hectic and strenuous at first but, over time, we adjusted and made it through.”

He credits his parents and the army with instilling the discipline that has carried him through his career.

“The family I come from, my mother and father were very strict on discipline. The army basically reinforced what was already there. Respect and manners carry you a far way.”

Today, Rookwood said, his parents are proud of what he has accomplished.

“My parents are quite proud of me, proud of who I am, what I have achieved, and to know that they have someone in the family who represents the country.”

Receiving the MSS Mission Medal was a moment Rookwood immediately connected to the people who supported him along the way.

“I thought immediately of my family and friends because they are the ones who give support to me as an individual and as a soldier. They are the persons who would be proud of knowing my journey and what it took to get the recognition.”

For Rookwood, the medal also represents Jamaica’s role in an international effort to help restore security in Haiti.

“It highlights the significance of us as JDF soldiers and as a country supporting the mission. The mission is to restore the country back to a state of semblance. Participating in something like that is on an international scale and, at the end of the day, if someone should go back and ask who the persons were who served at this time, we will be highlighted and remembered for something that is worthy.”

“This award is given to all the personnel who have served in support of the mission in Haiti for at least a period of six months. After serving that term, you’re automatically awarded for that service. The medal is something that shows that you were a part of something great in its time,” Rookwood told THE STAR.