Decorated soldier committed to service

After walking away from his dream of becoming a doctor, Commander Miguel Ferguson never imagined that his pre-med training at The University of the West Indies (The UWI) would one day help him save three badly injured fishermen during a terrifying night at sea.

The recently decorated Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) officer said it was still early in his military career when the incident unfolded.

“We were on an operation along Jamaica’s southern coast looking out for illegal fishing when there was an incident and three fishermen suffered significant injuries,” Ferguson recalled.

“Everybody in the military is trained in first aid, but there was no medical personnel on board at that time. Because of my pre-med background from The UWI, it rested on my shoulders to keep these three individuals alive until we could get them close enough to land for them to be airlifted.” Ferguson recalled being on the deck with the men the entire night changing bandages and dressing wounds. That experience, he said, became the defining moment of his military career.

“It spoke to me, to my core, about giving service to others. It reminded me that it’s always about service, not for yourself, but service to somebody else,” he said. Last week, Ferguson’s years of dedication were recognised when he received the Military Commendation Medal for Excellence during the JDF’s annual medal presentation ceremony.

“My entire career through the JDF has been about service – service to the JDF, service to my fellow members, and service to Jamaica,” he said. “When I was advised that I would receive the medal, I was very humbled and grateful that the JDF saw it fit to recognise me. To be acknowledged for years of excellent service is truly an honour.”

Despite being a cadet, Ferguson never planned on wearing a military uniform. After completing a double major in molecular biology and chemistry at The UWI, he had successfully gained admission to study medicine.

“My mother always wanted a doctor in the family. I got through with admission to medical sciences in my final year at UWI but, when I looked at the cost, I said, ‘A better me go work’,” he said. A friend reminded him of his cadet days in high school.

“She told me I was disciplined and would make a good officer. She actually took my résumé and application and dropped them off at the JDF,” he said. “Two weeks later, I got the call and went to the officer selection board, passed on my first attempt, and the rest is history.”

Ferguson said he went straight from civilian life to the JDF’s training ground at Newcastle.

“Those cold nights and difficult training were a real shock. Looking back, though, I was probably the fittest I’ve ever been,” he said. His career took him from commanding ships to training at the United States Coast Guard Academy and eventually becoming commander of the JDF Coast Guard in 2023.

Today, Ferguson continues to invest heavily in education. Alongside his undergraduate degree, he has earned an associate degree in aeronautical science from the Caribbean Maritime University, a master’s degree in defence and strategic studies from the United States Naval War College, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom, and is now pursuing a doctorate in business administration through Charisma University in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Despite those achievements, Ferguson said balancing military service with family life remains his greatest challenge. A father of 15-month-old triplets, two boys and a girl, he credits his wife and relatives for helping him maintain that balance.