Inspector Greaux Successfully Completes First RSS Assignment

Enhancing Regional Security through Collaborative Exercise Planning: The RSS Training Institute’s Initiative

The Regional Security System (RSS) Training Institute (TI) recently concluded a crucial Exercise Planning and Design Course, held from January 13th to 31st, 2025, at the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force Base Headquarters, Camp Blizzard. This intensive program focused on equipping security personnel from RSS member states with the expertise to design and execute effective exercises that address the complex security landscape of the Caribbean region. The course aimed to empower participants to leverage their individual experiences, skills, and knowledge, fostering a collaborative approach to regional security enhancement. The successful completion of this course signifies a significant step towards bolstering regional security cooperation and preparedness.

The participating representatives from the Police and Defence Forces of the RSS member states emerged from the course with a strengthened capacity to plan and participate in realistic exercises. This newfound expertise will enable them to contribute to both national and regional security initiatives. The course emphasized the importance of collective planning and execution, ensuring that exercises are relevant and beneficial to the specific security challenges faced by the region. The shared learning experience fostered stronger inter-agency relationships, setting the stage for improved coordination and collaboration in future security operations.

Inspector Carl Greaux, representing the RSS, played a prominent role in the course, presenting to the gathering and fielding questions from senior members of the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force, including Brigadier General Telbert Benjamin, the Chief of Defence Staff. Inspector Greaux’s Syndicate Three also had the distinguished opportunity to present their assigned exercise to H.E. Mrs. Brenda Wills, the High Commissioner of Canada to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean. This high-level engagement underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing regional security concerns.

Inspector Greaux emphasized the transformative impact of the course on his ability to coordinate exercises at various levels, from agency-specific to national and regional scales. He highlighted the comprehensive nature of the training, which covered the fundamentals of exercise planning, the exercise planning cycle, site survey methodologies, and post-exercise analysis. This comprehensive approach equips participants with a holistic understanding of the exercise planning process, ensuring they can effectively design and implement exercises that address a wide spectrum of security scenarios.

The course curriculum delved into the intricacies of the security environment, providing participants with the knowledge and skills to develop realistic and relevant exercises. Emphasis was placed on understanding the dynamics of the regional security landscape, enabling participants to tailor exercises to address specific threats and vulnerabilities. The course also focused on practical application, guiding participants through the entire exercise planning cycle, from conceptualization to execution and post-exercise review. This hands-on approach ensured that participants gained the practical skills needed to effectively plan and manage complex security exercises.

Five military experts, comprising three members from Canadian Joint Operations (CJO) and two from the RSS, facilitated the course. This collaborative instructional approach provided participants with a diverse range of perspectives and expertise. The course commenced with an informal opening ceremony and concluded with a formal closing, marking the successful completion of the intensive training program and the enhanced capacity of the participants to contribute to regional security. The joint effort between the RSS and CJO highlights the international commitment to strengthening security capabilities within the Caribbean region. The rigorous training undertaken by the participants positions them as valuable assets in maintaining regional stability and responding effectively to emerging security challenges.