How to format an external drive

I have a Western Digital external HD (Passport). I downloaded the new 10.x  OS (Maverick ?) and it does not support the drive. WD does not have an firmware upgrade for it.
My preference would be to simply reformat the drive and lose the WD firmware, formating to any compatable Apple OS.
Can't find a format command. (I am more expiereced with Windows machines and could do it there with ease)
Thanks in advance for any help you may offer

Thanks shoulder to the wheel.
I got halfway home (kind of like a C&W Song)
I did create another drive (Partition?) followiing your good directions. I have yet tried to copy to it. (Fear!)
But the WD Smartware will not eject the drive. That worries me. (So does Putin)
But, it's late, I'm nearing 106 years old (or so it feels) and I'm tired. I'm gong to fire up some Pink Floyd and slip into a fog of the past, drift off to sleep and try this after they server the oatmeal here at the home. (We get bibs)
Thanks so much. At least I found the disk utilty. Now, if I could only find my other sock.
Wonky

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