Mark Beckford, Staff Reporter

Kemar Wint isn't a happy trooper. The 22-year-old's dream of enlisting in the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), after making his way to Up Park Camp about 7 a.m. Tuesday, was dashed when he discovered that his name was not on a shortlist.

He was not alone. In what has become a regular feature, scores of young men turned out Tuesday, hopeful of securing an opportunity to be trained as a soldier and, perhaps more important, getting a steady income.

Testing

The all-day process saw the men undergoing physical, medical and academic testing.

The JDF had advertised last week for males age 18-23 years old to apply for a position within the enlisted corps.

Information from the Civil Military Corporation indicates that the army is seeking to recruit 120 men. Two thousand persons have been called for interviews. More than 1,200 were summoned for interviews Tuesday.

Wint's disappointment was palpable.

Called on Friday

"I sent in the application and I was called on Friday and told to come in this morning, but when I come in today, I see that my name is not on the list and I was looking forward to it," he said.

Wint, who hails from the sometimes violent east Kingston community of Dunkirk, is passionate about becoming an army man.

"I want to do this because I want to clean up the crime off the streets and help the civilians," he explained.

Keble Wright, whose name was on the roll, was more optimistic about his chances than Wint.

"I want to make a positive influence on crime in the society. I alone cannot fight crime but I can help to make a difference," he said.

Wright, of Manchester, said the massive turnout was an indication that Government needs to facilitate more young men gaining employment.

National unemployment rates have seen gradual decline over the last seven years, dropping to below 10 per cent in 2007. However, the unemployment rate among persons aged 14-24 rose 2.8 per cent last year.

mark.beckford@gleanerjm.com