Guarding Our Heritage
34 years of service to the Bahamas
Naval Officer
Commodore Tellis A. Bethel (MALIC) was born in Nassau, Bahamas, where he spent his childhood years in the historic ‘Fort Hill’ community of Grant's Town. He is also a descendant of Long island, Grand Bahama and Eleuthera. He is married to Teri (née Knowles) and the couple has two sons. Throughout his career, he believed in the motto, vision, and core values of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force for setting the standard of excellence in leadership, integrity, and professional achievement in guarding the Heritage of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. This, he demonstrated by personal example in both his personal and public life.
Prior to joining the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, Commodore Bethel completed a stint as a bellboy on one of the most popular cruise ships of its day, the S/S Emerald Seas. He had also worked in the operations department of one of the world’s largest shipping companies headquartered in Nassau, Navios Maritime Holdings before joining the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) in January 1981. Altogether, Commodore Bethel had completed two tours of duty as a commissioned naval officer in the RBDF. He was recommended to join the RBDF by the first Commander Defence Force, Commodore William Swinley, and approved by the country’s first Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Lynden Pindling, who was also the first Minister of Defence and chairman of the National Security Council.
Participated in Arrests to Secure Nation's Borders
Commodore Bethel's first tour was from 1981 to 1996 when he resigned from the Force and rejoined after a nearly five-year hiatus. His second tour of duty was from 1996 to 2020. During his second tour of duty, he rose through the ranks to be appointed the RBDF’s first Deputy Commander Defence Force from 2010 to 2015. Additionally, he served two consecutive terms as Commander Defence Force during the periods 2015 to 2018 & 2018 to 2020. As a visionary leader, he believed in the longstanding moniker ascribed to the Force as “the best little navy in the world,” and encouraged members throughout the Force to take advantage of the numerous opportunities presented to them to maximize their potential as leaders. Over the years, he has had the privilege of seeing many effect positive change above and beyond the ordinary within their professional and personal lives.
He joined the Defence Force in January 1981 during the final decade of the Cold War as a Midshipman Under Training at the Britannia Royal Naval College in England. Upon graduating from naval college, Commodore Bethel held various appointments aboard the RBDF patrol craft during his first tour of duty. As a sea-going officer, he participated in the arrests of numerous drug smugglers (Columbian, US, Caribbean, and Bahamians), the apprehensions of hundreds of undocumented migrants, the capture of numerous poachers (Dominicans, Cubans, Cuban Americans, and Hondurans) of fisheries products, the seizure of thousands of pounds of narcotics, and the confiscation of numerous weapons and ammunition during the peak drug-years of the 1980s. Additionally, in 1985, he served as an in-country coordinating Operations Officer during Operation Blue Lightning, one of the largest US-Bahamas counter-drug operations which netted 5,500 pounds of cocaine and almost 34,000 pounds of marijuana with a combined street value of more than $100 million.
Established 6 Virtual Schools
Other appointments held during his first tour included being appointed the Deputy Base and Supply Officer at Coral Harbour Base, as well as a Staff Officer to the first Bahamian Commander Defence Force (Commodore Leon Smith). He was also appointed the Personnel and Recruiting Officer at Defence Force Headquarters during which time he processed the recruitment of over 300 Marines and introduced and lectured the Defence Force’s Character Development Course from 1989 to 1991. In 1991, Commodore Bethel resigned from the Force and later rejoined in 1996 thereby commencing his second period of service. Upon his return, he held several key staff positions at Defence Headquarters, including Research and Planning Officer, Public Relations Officer, and Chief Staff Officer for the second Bahamian Commander Defence Force (Commodore Davy Rolle). In 1998, he participated in the preparation and delivery of the newly built Bahama Class vessel, HMBS NASSAU, and was appointed as its first Executive Officer. In 2004, he headed the Training Department and laid the groundwork for the establishment of an accredited Maritime Defence Training Institute for the training of military and paramilitary personnel locally and regionally. As head of the Force’s Training Department (2002-2006), he also established six virtual schools including the School of Leadership.
Assisted with the Delineation of The Bahamas' Maritime Boundary
In 2006, he was appointed Commanding Officer of the Defence Force’s Commando Squadron where he modified policies and military training programs. Later that year, he was appointed the Commanding Officer of the Defence Force’s 200-foot flagship vessel, HMBS BAHAMAS until 2009. During this appointment, Commodore Bethel and his ship’s company conducted extensive patrols from Grand Bahama Island resulting in the apprehension of Dominican poachers, as well as undocumented migrants, and assisted The Bahamas National Geographic Information Systems Center with delineating The Bahamas’ maritime boundary, which aided in the establishment of the maritime boundary between The Bahamas and Cuba. Later in 2009, Commodore Bethel served on the staff of Commodore Clifford Scavella (the third Bahamian Commander Defence Force) as the first Force Inspectorate Officer, where he reviewed and made recommendations for the modernization of the Defence Force. Also that year, he was seconded to the Ministry of National Security in Trinidad and Tobago with responsibility for planning and coordinating maritime security operations for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting attended by over 40 heads of state and the Queen of England.
First Deputy Commander Defence Force
In 2010, he became the first Deputy Commander Defence Force (2010 – 2015) and assisted Commodore Roderick Bowe (the fourth Bahamian Commander Defence Force) with the implementation of the restructuring and modernization of the Force. This included the unfolding of the Government's $232-multimillion dollar investment under the Sandy Bottom Project—the largest single capital outlay in the history of the Force that commenced in 2014. The delivery of 3 out of 9 ships and the commencement of civil works (the dredging of Coral Harbour Base) in 2014 became the initial phase of the Force’s decentralization program. The decentralization program aimed to establish bases at strategic locations in the southern, central, and northern Bahamas. Upon Commodore Bowe’s retirement in 2015, Commodore Bethel became the Acting Commander Defence Force for over two years (March 2015 - May 2017).
He was later confirmed as Commander Defence Force (2017 – 2018, which was backdated to 2015). He assumed command of the Force at the beginning of a new era, which afforded him the opportunity to continue the work of his predecessors with the laying of a trans-generational foundation upon which current and future members of the Force could build and experience optimum success in keeping with the Government's intent for a secure, peaceful, and prosperous Bahamas. This long-term strategic framework saw the continued unfolding of the decentralization of RBDF bases at Coral Harbour, Inagua, and Ragged Island, along with associated civil works. The flexible framework also included the professional development of Force personnel with emphasis on leadership training to adequately respond to threats and challenges of the future; the improvement of the Force's ability to mobilize its ships, aircraft, and personnel (locally and regionally); the engagement in wildlife and marine environment conservation activities, and the development of the nation's youth.
Decentralization Plan
Under Commodore Bethel’s leadership, the Force also developed and activated a five-part decentralization plan comprising the acquisition of the remaining 6 patrol craft (including a 198-foot Landing Craft), and the completion of dredging of harbours at Coral Harbour, Great Inagua, and Ragged Island (under the Sandy Bottom Project); the drafting of a proposal for the development/expansion of bases in New Providence, Inagua, Ragged Island, Grand Bahama, Abaco, and Bimini; the long term deployment of ships, aircraft, and personnel to regional bases; the acquisition and installation of multi-million-dollar detection, tracking and communications equipment (inclusive of the first of three long-ranged coastal radars and participation in the acquisition of the Government’s Multi-Agency Drone Program, as well as the designation of a lead coordinator for that program); and the strengthening of networks with local and regional partners inclusive of information and intelligence sharing.
Also under his watch, the Force developed and implemented a detection, tracking and communications plan inclusive of the Force’s Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Surveillance, Intelligence, and Reconnaissance program (also known as C4ISR) for enhanced maritime domain awareness. Altogether, the RBDF’s long-term strategic framework incorporated an extensive decentralization program, which included the unfolding of a multi-layered, multi-lateral, border security network for The Bahamas.
Landmark Accomplishments
As a result of this multidimensional program, the men and women of the Force made numerous landmark accomplishments during the final five years of Commodore Bethel’s tenure as Commander Defence Force. Among these were the apprehension of over 4,000 undocumented migrants at sea, and over 200 Dominican poachers aboard 7 mother ships. In 2018 alone, the RBDF anti-poaching efforts resulted in over $8 million dollars in accumulated fines being awarded to foreign poachers by the courts—the largest within a single year in the history of the Force. RBDF maritime security efforts also contributed to The Bahamas being awarded the coveted Marine Stewardship Council’s Certificate for sustainable (spiny lobster) fisheries, thereby deepening the Bahamas’ international fisheries’ market reach. During the 2016/17 lobster season, Bahamian fishermen also boasted of harvesting the largest amount of lobsters in over twenty years. Additionally, the Force seized some 2,000 pounds of drugs with a street value of approximately $2 million dollars, and over 3,000 rounds of ammunition during Force operations at sea and on Family Islands.
Additionally, the Force provided troops and logistical support for major inter-island joint law enforcement operations—the largest to be held with local Police, Immigration, and US partners in the history of The Bahamas (2017-2019). These RBDF supported operations aided in the arrest of numerous criminals and seizures of contraband. Further, the Force provided significant support for police-led operations on the streets of New Providence contributed to Police efforts in reducing homicides to less than 100 in 2018 for the first time since 2010. Also, the RBDF rescued or assisted 541 lives at sea. Additionally, between 2015 and 2020, Commodore Bethel provided technical support for the establishment of the Bahamas Customs Marine Division and K9 Unit and deployed personnel to assist the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services with the security of inmates. He also led the RBDF in co-hosting the largest Regional (US-CARICOM) training exercise at Coral Harbour Base with over 800 participants from 18 nations during the regional military Tradewinds Exercise 2018, which included naval and coast guard ships from Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Additionally, Commodore Bethel co-led the largest Combined (US-Bahamas) Joint Counter-terrorism Exercise training program to be held in The Bahamas under Operation Marlin Shield, which was headquartered at Coral Harbour Base in 2016.
Disaster Relief Oversight
In collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency, Commodore Bethel oversaw extensive disaster relief operations undertaken by the Force. During these operations, the Force provided assistance to thousands of Bahamians during the aftermath of 3 major consecutive Hurricanes over a 3-year period in The Bahamas (Hurricanes Joaquin in 2015, Matthew in 2016, and Irma in 2017). Also, for the first time in the history of the RBDF, the Force deployed a ship (HMBS Lawrence Major) to the Eastern Caribbean on a one-month disaster relief operation to the island-nation of the Commonwealth of Dominica during the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in 2017. During that operation, the Force transported hurricane relief supplies from Jamaica to Dominica on behalf of the Jamaican government.
The Force also provided large-scale relief assistance to Abaco and Grand Bahama before, during, and following the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian—the largest storm to hit the Western Hemisphere in modern times, and the largest relief effort undertaken in the history of the Force. Commodore Bethel also oversaw the coordination of the deployment of 200 foreign troops from two CARICOM nations (Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica) to The Bahamas to assist with relief efforts in Grand Bahama and Abaco—the largest Disaster Assistance (Military) Relief Team (DART) to be deployed to The Bahamas by CARICOM in the history of The Bahamas. Under his leadership, the RBDF coordinated the evacuation of over 5,000 people by air and sea, as well as coordinated the distribution of tons of relief supplies, provided medical support to Public Health Authority, and assisted with the recovery of dead bodies during the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian.
Also for the first time in the history of the Force, Commodore Bethel appointed a qualified female as Commanding Officer of a 100-foot vessel, and a female was promoted to the highest rate in the Enlisted Corps (Force Chief Petty Officer). In addition to expanding welfare programs for Veterans and active Force members such as the commencement of military funerals and issuing of Veteran I.D. Cards granting access to RBDF Commissary, Medical Center, and various functions, the Force saw the development of plans to transform the Training department into a Small Island Maritime Defence Institute in addition to the transformation of the RBDF’s Rangers Youth Program into a Rangers National Youth Service Program with a membership of 1,500 High School Students within New Providence and six Family Islands.
Commodore Bethel is a graduate of the Britannia Royal Naval College, Devon, England, and the recipient of the Naval College’s Best International Midshipman Award. Additionally, he is a graduate (with distinction) of the United States Naval War College’s Naval Staff College in Rhode Island, and a Fellow of the Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies at the University of National Defense, in Washington, and a fellow of the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Hawaii. He has also participated in numerous civil-defence management courses at institutions in the United States, United Kingdom, China, Australia, and the Caribbean. He has a Master of Arts degree in Leading, Innovation and Change (MALIC) from York St. John University in York, England (with residency in Switzerland).
His contributions to the wider Bahamian community include the establishment of The Bahamas Maritime Cadet Corps (BMCC) as a member of the Bahamas Maritime Authority’s committee. BMCC introduced hundreds of high school students to careers in the maritime field. He was also a member of the board of directors for the Bahamas Maritime Training Institute, which facilitates the training and certification of hundreds of Bahamians for entry-level careers in the commercial maritime sector under the STCW training program. In 2014, Commodore Bethel planned and organized the national breaking of the Guinness World Record for ‘the most persons blowing conch shells simultaneously’ at The Bahamas’ 41st Annual Independence Celebration. The Guinness World Record website states that the conch shells were also ‘call for peace to the nations of the world from the shores of The Bahama Islands in keeping with that year's Independence theme: Celebrating Culture: A Commitment to Peace.’
Commodore Bethel is also the coordinator of the Lucayan Sea Project, which promotes naming the waters of The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Lucayan Sea, as a distinct identity for the unnamed waters of The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, and as a symbol of peace. In March 2017, Commodore Bethel oversaw the launching of its Ambassador of Peace program to encourage Bahamians from all walks of life to engage in random acts of kindness for the promotion of peace. In 2017, the Annual Commander Defence Force Regatta was reintroduced after an 8-year hiatus. The event boasted the largest attendance on the Montagu Beach foreshore for national regattas held at the location. From 2014 - 2017, Commodore Bethel served as the Commodore of the Annual Sir Durward Knowles Festival of Lights Christmas Boat Parade.
He and international maritime security expert, Dr. Ian Ralby, Founder and CEO of I.R. Consilium are the co-authors of the internationally published articles entitled, Storm Surges and Crime Waves: Law Enforcement During Natural Disasters (June 2020) and Status Quo Response When the Status Quo is Crisis (May 2020), which were published in the War on the Rocks Magazine. Commodore Bethel is also the author of the researched article, “Caribbean Narcotics Trafficking: What is to be done?” (DISAM Journal, Fall 2002/Winter 2003). His other literary works include America—A Destiny Unveiled, The Lucayan Sea: Birthplace of the Modern Americas, and The Lucayan Story: The Indigenous People of The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands. He and his wife, Teri, are the co-authors of the children’s adventure storybook, Trapped On Kooky Island.