BRYON Patton’s 20 years in the Jamaica Defence Force taught him to be brave, resourceful, and exercise leadership skills. All these and more will be put to the test over of the next two weeks as he campaigns for the South East St Andrew seat in the upcoming general elections.

The 43-year-old was a surprise package at the nomination centre at Campion College in Liguanea on Monday, throwing his hat into the ring to take on political heavyweights Dwight Nelson of the Jamaica Labour Party and Julian Robinson of the People’s National Party (PNP), as well as Horace Matthews of the fledgling Marcus Garvey People’s Political Party.

The dismal record of independent candidates in elections and a lack of resources have not deterred the unconventional soldier-turned-businessman from offering himself for leadership. Patton, like other non-aligned aspirants before him, reckons his chances of getting into Gordon House are good.

“Everybody, all my family and friends are in support of me,” he told the Observer.

The resident of Arnett Gardens explained why he opted to run in South East St Andrew where he is enumerated and not in South St Andrew where he lives. “Dr Omar Davies is doing a wonderful job (in South St Andrew) and I don’t see the need for me to challenge him there,” he stated.

Admitting that he is from a traditional PNP community, Patton said he decided to go it alone because does not like being identified with any colour.

“The only colours I talk about are the black, the green and the gold which stands for Jamaica,” he said.

Patton speaks fondly of Up Park Camp, which is located in South East St Andrew, and said he will resist any attempt to remove the JDF headquarters from the area.

“I love Camp, and Camp is surrounded by a number of communities that need representation. They want to remove the JDF to Clarendon and just leave a few soldiers there (at Up Park Camp). What will happen when the communities around start up with the violence? I will fight tooth and nail to get that idea thrown out,” he stated firmly.

A past student of Melrose All-Age and Trench Town High, Patton retired from the JDF at the rank of corporal with skills, including construction management and operation of a range of military vehicles.

In the unlikely event that he is elected, Patton says he will focus on roads and skills training for the youth.

A self-confessed sports fanatic, he operates a small grocery and lounge provocatively named The Ramping Shop from his home. However, business has nothing in common with a raunchy popular song of the same name, but instead offers games such as dominoes and ludo as well as karaoke on weekends.

Although lacking the funding for an aggressive campaign. Patton says he has the skills and experience to be a good member of Parliament.

“I am a no-nonsense person. When I was in the army I always did what I set out to do. I get along with everybody and I’m not afraid of anybody,” he said.