By Melanie Eversley

Commodore Antonette Wemyss Gorman, a career soldier in Jamaica, will make history in January when she becomes the country’s first female chief of defense staff.

Wemyss Gorman, 48, will replace Lt. Gen. Rocky Meade, who is retiring. She also will be appointed to the position of rear admiral when she assumes the new role, Jamaica Loop News reports. 

A statement from the office of Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness praised Wemyss Gorman for a 29-year military career “ ,,, characterized by notable achievement and exceptional service” to the Jamaica Defense Force.

Wemyss Gorman has a master’s degree in national security from the University of the West Indies, based in Kingston, Jamaica. She established the Caribbean Military Maritime Training Center and the Maritime Air and Cyber Command, according to Loop News.