Regiment Soldiers Complete Overseas Exercise
The new Commanding Officer of the Bermuda Regiment will inherit a modern and well-trained battalion, outgoing CO Lt Col Brian Gonsalves said today [May 12].
Col Gonsalves – speaking after around 180 soldiers returned to Bermuda on Saturday after two weeks of training at the US Marine Corps Camp Lejuene in North Carolina – added: “I am very proud that the Regiment is forward leaning, always looking for ways to improve the way we do our business.
“It’s about being a team, not just one individual and we have a lot of great people working for the Regiment. We have modernized the Regiment and we have done a lot of good things – providing leadership, direction and creating the conditions where people can think on their own.
“I am passionate about the Regiment, and will always care about its integrity and professionalism as a critical service provider. You need to lead by example. You can’t have someone doing something which you’re not prepared to do yourself.”
Col Gonsalves, returning from his last overseas training exercise, is due to turn over command to British Army officer Lt Col Michael Foster-Brown next month after four years in charge of the island’s defence force.
Lt Col Brian Gonsalves lines up with his troops after arriving back on Saturday.
He said: “There have been many tough challenges during my tenure as CO and I have certainly had to make some unpopular decisions. But this is what any organization’s leader must face, and I’m comfortable with the courses of action taken.”
“The desire to continue modernizing the Regiment has been extremely important. Our training documents are current, we’ve modernized the Defence Act, Standing Orders and training procedures and our kit and equipment is improving.
“Every CO is going to have to look at spending some time and money on keeping the Regiment that way – and I hope those involved in the National Security Review listen to the people who know.”
Col Gonsalves said the Regiment worked well with the US Marines, who praised the commitment and professionalism of its troops.
He added: “They continue to say we carry out our training and duties with the highest degree of responsibility and professionalism.”
And he said: “The Marines always have a ‘can do’ attitude and I have seen that spilling over to our own soldiers.
“Every element of the Regiment, from Boat Troop, through medics to the Operational Support unit and the Guns and Assault Pioneers, took full advantage of the superb training facilities on offer.
Regiment CO Lt Col Brian Gonsalves and his replacement, British Army Lt Col Michael Foster-Brown on board a massive floating bridge with the Guns and Assault Pioneers.
“Our soldiers worked with the Coast Guard, US Marines, including specialist units, and the US Navy to learn new skills and hone existing ones. I’m very proud of all our soldiers and how well they performed.”
The Regiment training ended with a gruelling six mile march with 40lbs on the soldiers’ backs followed by a two minute sprint and falling plate shooting competition – won by the Operational Support Unit who were embedded as A Coy’s 3rd Platoon.
Col Gonsalves added that the current strength of the Regiment, around 400 soldiers, would have to be maintained to continue to carry out current mission and tasks.
“We provide assistance to all sorts of agencies and groups across the island. More operational links with the Fire Service with fighting the two recent dump fires and the Police Service with patrols both maritime and on land. All this is on top of maintaining a readiness for public order and hurricane restoration efforts.
“The Regiment is like an iceberg – most people only notice the ceremonial duties but there is an enormous amount beneath the water which includes most of the training and preparations.”
He added that, as budgets are cut across the board, the Regiment would need enough cash to maintain its training schedules.
And he said the Regiment would also need to continue to take advantage of relevant overseas training facilities provided by organisations like the US Marines as well as working closely with home-based agencies.
ADC Captain Clifford Powell, Governor George Fergusson and Regiment CO Lt Col Brian Gonsalves visit troops headed for a race through an assault course.
Asked what would you hope people would say your legacy is as CO: “Raising the standard of professionalism, striving for the best, not settling for mediocrity”.
“I’m very proud to be Bermudian and proud to get Bermudians jobs in the Regiment, but we are not putting people in place for the sake of it. They have to be able to do the job.” Col Gonsalves added: “No one is perfect – but as long as we keep moving in the right direction and working hard, the Regiment will continue to thrive.
“Every organization has its challenges – but the key is how well you overcome these challenges.”
The Colonel has spent four years in charge at Warwick Camp, having twice had his term extended, and served as an officer for a quarter of a century.
He said: “Every CO knows coming into the job that it’s for a fixed period. Having done it for four years, it’s time for a change, and I look forward to the next opportunities.” And he offered some advice to his successor, a career officer from The Rifles.
Col Gonsalves said: “He will have to take time to learn our culture. Although he will find many similarities and we have adopted many best practices from the British Army, we are not the British Army.
“He is going to have to create buy in on his plans, and really understand Bermuda’s customs and traditions. I wish Col Mike and his family the very best of luck in this new chapter of their lives.”
Why does the bermuda regiment need a British Army Officer from the U.K. to take command of the regiment? Surely, there must be a suitable BERMUDIAN Lt. Col. that can fill the post ……smh!!!
Yeah if Major. Christopher Wheddon was alive (may he rest in peace) he was the next bermudian in line to take the post hence you get a British officer nobody else locally for the criteria
My son is finally home from his tour of duty. I’m proud of you!
I am sure Bermuda got value for money in this training & shall see the fruits of this training put into practice in real world a scenario in the next 2 years. If not then I guess we’ll spend the cash all over again to train the next batch of reluctant soldiers, then the next & the next after that…….
Full time 100% willing participants of the regiment that are willing to put in many years with the service is better value for the money. As opposed to the the regiment in it’s current form of having to train batches of unwilling soldiers every 3 years the same things over & over. I am not a supporter of BAD but rather I am looking at this from a common sense point of view, you get a better soldier out of one who’s heart is truly into it plus it works out cheaper for Bermuda’s economy.
“we’ve modernized the Defence Act” – except for the part that allows for conscription… An outdated and no longer needed relic from the past. As the rest of the western world continues to moves away from conscription, Bermuda once again shows it doesn’t have the testicular fortitude to do what is right and end this assinine practice. This trip cost how many hundreds of thousands of dollars? And for what? This money would be better spent on things such as scholarships and education… Things that affect everybody and not just those lucky enough to have been conscripted. It’s days are limited, hopefully, and according to OBA talkers/doers. Yessi. Know dat.
For all you negative dumb a**es, be thankful we haven’t had to use the Regiment for anything other then clearing the streets and assisting with storm victims!! Yeah save the money and call in Scotland Yard…again! People who do not know Bermuda….people we have to shelter and feed…oops..sorry they have to go!! No more money!! Now why is it we have no army??!!
Using the regiment for anything shy of doing Works & Engineering jobs after a hurricane or looking pretty for a parade would be nothing more then support staff to the British troops that would be deployed here should the occasion arise. Should that scenario play out a full conscripted regiment wouldn’t be required so still a full time reigment would be better suited.
I wonder if government will pay for any long term illness that may occur from regimental soldiers that served at Camp Lejuene in North Carolina? Now that it has been exposed that the camps water supply has been contaminated with cancer-causing chemicals since the 1950′s. One of the wells was closed on the late 80′s but fear of that contamination seeping into the remaining wells or ground water supply has never been ascertained or substantiated yet new reports of cancer patients all with history at Camp Lejuene are still comping forward to this day. Those magical pills the regiment gives you to drop into the murky green swamp like water to make it drinkable may kill bacteria but it doesn’t prevent cancer.