Opinion: Bermuda Regiment Needs a Review
[Written by Clinton Paynter] The commencement of the Bermuda Regiments annual recruit camp today has forced me to voice my opinion on this age old tradition. Speaking as someone who has completed his “allotted time” it was obvious to me that far too much time is wasted forcing compliance with the rules and creating a cohesive force. If I had thought my service would have been beneficial to my future endeavours I would have been much more attentive instead of counting the days to completion. Better to have 100 well paid volunteers make a career of it than 300 conscripts. One would think that the new price point would be similar to the old. We could give the better quality soldier produced a much expanded role, one in keeping with the needs of Bermuda today. They would take pride in activities meaningful to the entire community ie. Coast Guard etc.
My first 2 week camp served as a traumatic introduction to Regiment life. The cursing and berating by ones superiors seemed more befitting to a convicted criminal guilty of the most heinous crime, not young impressionable men fresh out of high school. I was defiant at first, as was a high percentage of my peers but you quickly learn that there are punishments for those that choose to buck the system. After awhile one becomes immune to the treatment, your fate is sealed and you learn acceptance. The goal of this treatment is to make you a man right? I was told by the then Col. that this ordeal was necessary to prepare us for the working world, when working on a job you have to follow the bosses orders right? Yes and no. The major overriding difference is that I applied and choose to work at my job but I was forced against my will to serve in the Regiment. If I am abused by my boss there are options open to me, I can even get an different job. So you see this justification is absurd but one that i have found they use often.
I sit here 13 years after service with a head full of useless information such as how to field strip and reassemble a rifle in the dark. As a matter of fact I would be so bold as to say that the Regiment actually helps to foster a love of guns in the youth that have passed through its ranks. I personally witnessed many of my peers develop this love, only to be informed on there completion of the required 3 years and 2 months that they can never legally handle said weaponry here again. Why encourage this behaviour in 18 year old aggressive males in a supposed gun free society? Makes you think doesn’t it? Is it any wonder they feel the need to answer the call of the cold black steel in a Bermuda where being in the wrong place at the wrong time could quite possibly end your life? In other countries you can have this lust fulfilled by legally owning one and participating in recreational shooting at a range but not in the land of contradiction we call Bermuda.
We must decide if the current configuration of the Bermuda Regiment is the way forward for 2011 and beyond. It is my personal belief that an unbiased review must be done and the results put to the people. We must decide if this is the way we should be treating our young men. There must be a better way, all we have to do is be willing to look.
[Written by Clinton J. A. Paynter, whose writings can be found on Bermudafirst.blogspot.com]
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Oh Clinton..give me a break.”ther are punishments for those that choose to buck the system”.
Irony is a bitch.
You do that to your boss and co workers?
It’s called life dude. Deal with it. Matters none who is in power, past and present.
As for being abused by your boss, you make me cringe.
Never mind. You lot go back to the Privy Council or apply for a job in the Tunisia Police, or Baghdad, or Somalia, Haitti…..come on you can do it. 2 Weeks, get paid, get paid by boss.
Guess thats why they keep the ammo locked up, guarded. Don’t worry, in a few years there will be no one to recruit. All be in England on the lamb or drifting in waters with a plan….
Go find something else to do Mr. Cabral and stop boring my life. Futher why don’t you enjoy your retirement in the USA and leave Bermuda to the people who actually live here… not the ones just visiting. Fact is conscrpition needs to be reviewed… the current gov. is just too lazy to do it… nuff said.
Well said!
Another cry baby. What a bunch of self-serving crock. I know he learned a lot more good than bad while in the Regiment. To make your opinion valid, tell the good and the bad. The way he paints this picture of the Regiment, it must be the absolute worst place to be in, in the World.
The fact of the matter is, I am sure there are more DESERVING (lack of better words) people to round up in this involuntary servant institution!!! The regiment is a waste of time for those that a outstanding citizens of this country; for those that are disenfranchised by this country, it is an excellent option to be enrolled! This country will not be going to war anytime soon, no need to have a military option…. I was put off by regiment duties when they told me I will be locked up should I choose to fix my roof after a hurricane before I report to duty for my country?!?!? PLEASE explain to me how that works? Sure, I’ll let my grandmother’s living room be flooded so I can attend to regiment….NO!!!! I am going to help my family BEFORE I willingly choose to help others…plain and simple!
Exactly, you have a selfish mind.
He has a selfish mind because he puts his family first? What in the hell kind of s**t am I reading?
Actually, you were also told to report any incidents with your family. The Regiment also took care of its own first as a priority, as well as those in critical need.
Many showed up and got assistance for their families asap
Your talking crap ‘Confused’. Thats why you are. Any person with common sense would agree that you take care of “Grandmother”, make sure she is safe and move on.
There may be many more with flooded livingrooms, big deal. But you never said anything about, rooves fallen in, people laying under debris, houses on fire, fallen wires, children screaming as they gasp for breath.
Your worried about grandmas livingroom? Get real………………..
You are definately confused. If this is your worst case scenario……..
Knowone in command would say…..and I expect you here in five minutes
Tell that to the families that lost loved ones on the Causeway……
Nah..I’m not doing nothing too windy………………………..
Gog bless their souls.
God.
Terry your asinine comments are funny! My point is I’d rather help MY family first, then to help anyone else! If there is anyone needing assistance, I’m sure there family/neighbors can help! I am not an EMT, just a piece of the regiment equipped with a chainsaw to clear debris….YAY for being heroic! As for your comments regarding the people on the causeway…what did that have anything to do with my input? If you want to be captain courageous and save the country, go ahead, but I am not the one when I have to look after my family FIRST!!!
And considering I live under grandmother who has wooden floors, I would have to take care of the situation in order for the floor not to collapse…kick rocks!!!
REGIMENT IS FOR SUCKERS. YOUR WILL NEVER CATCH ME WITH YOUR PUNK @$$E$. FORCED LABOR. VERBAL AND SOMETIMES PHYSICAL ABUSE. U NEEDA GET THE GUYS SITTING ON THE WALL WITH NO DIRECTION IN LIFE TO GO, IF YOUR GONNA FORCE SOMETHING ON SOMEONE.
Just to point something out. If you are going to try and talk like you have some sort of education, then I would advise you to get yourself a book on grammar for the English language. ‘Knowone’ is not even in the dictionary. I believe when you say ‘your’ you really mean you’re. This just goes to show that you don’t have a clue.
As a matter of fact, all of you that try to talk like you are educated should honestly stop emarbarassing yourselves. You should have either paid attention in school or you should make a complaint to the governing body of your school; if your school does not have a governing body then make a complaint to the Department of Education.
This ain’t a Grammar lesson, biggervehiclewins, it’s a communication medium for posting one’s opinions. Did you not understand what s/he was trying to say…? Then that’s all that matters… grammar is not important here! You DO NOT NEED TO BE EDUCATED to post here, or on any blog or forum! The more who post the better.
I do love your split infinitive, though. BWAA-HA-HA-Ha-Ha-Ha!!
And: “All of you that try to talk like bla bla bla”
Maybe try: All of you who try to talk like… etc.
So u ain’t so sharp yerself, dude. Have a nice day.
Bwah hahahhahahahaha!! Love it!
“emarbarassing”?
You may want to look at your own spelling, grammar and punctuation skills before railing against others’.
Have a great day. As for kick rocks….Call works and engineering or a neighbor.
Seek Councelling/fused.
After listening to the debate over the validity of the regiment over the past few years as a former recruit I would like to give my personal opinion on the matter. The regiment can indeed be a very useful organization for some young men on this island. This being said the young men that could really use the regiment are generally not the ones who turn up on that first day of recruit camp.
The little known facts about this process is that if you never respond to the letters or your name being put in the paper the regiment can do nothing to you. As soon as you sign your name on the dotted line your service begins. This being said it is apparent that the R.Ps (Regiment Police) will not go into the areas where they know these young men that have been called up but have failed to reply live so they get away with it. This i believe is a flawed process because in the end you end up punishing the honest individuals who are fulfilling there obligation and turning a blind eye to the ones who are not.
My second point that needs to be addressed is that a lot has been made in the media about the nearly $1000 a week that will be paid to recruits. This appears to be a substantial total but when you break down the hours that the recruits will be working and participating in the activities the wage is far below minimum wage. From waking up at 5:30 every morning and not being able to sleep until 12 if you are lucky, the wage is not all it appears to be.
The next point that should be addressed is the treatment of recruits. I personally did not find this to be as bad as some make it sound. At the regiment if you do as you are told and give your best effort you will not have any problems. It is those that have trouble with following directions and problems with authority that have the worst experience.
Despite what I have written so far you may find it hard to believe that I actually enjoyed my time at the army. The teamwork that was taught and learning to rely on other individuals are indeed invaluable lessons that the army teaches. The friends made are also a positive aspect that can be taken from this experience. Most young men are motivated by competition and everything during recruit camp is a competition which makes the time go by quicker then most may think.
My experience differed from most in that i participated in recruit camp after returning from school so my maturity level was different from most. The main gripe that i had with the regiment was the lack of organization that they showed and the procedures that one has to follow while at recruit camp. I offer no solutions to the issue of regimental duty because i feel that it can be a useful tool for young men in Bermuda.
One issue that i did find alarming and most are afraid to speak of is the issue of race in the regiment. I don’t mean to offend anyone when i bring this issue up but the facts remain that most of the young men at recruit camp are young black males. My issue with this was the fact that 90% of the people that were in positions of authority that deal with the recruits where white. Many of the young recruits had an issue with this and i could not blame them in the least. Some may not want to admit it but this plays a factor in whether a recruit will respect the system or not as hard as it is to believe. This issue needs to be addressed if the system is going to work in its current capacity.
Some may question my motives for writing this and think i am hiding behind a pen name, but for those that were in the 2010 recruit camp they will know i was one of the few who enjoyed every minute of my time there. I was the loudest on the square every single day and if it were not for medical reasons i would have continued with my regiment duties. I feel that the facts need to be stated for more people to have a better understanding of what the regiment actually is and what goes on behind those gates.
I agree with the majority of what you just stated. I Served in he Regiment for 5 years and it was a great experience for me as well. The reason why there are more Black than white recruits is because of simple demographics there are more blacks than whites on the island. To argue with your point of the people of rank being mostly white that is also inaccurate there are far more Black non commissioned officers and senior ranks than there are whites. Remember also it is a choice to become a lance corporal or above you have to go threw the Cadre in order to progress or a weekend specialist Cadre.
‘Despite what I have written so far you may find it hard to believe that I actually enjoyed my time at the army. The teamwork that was taught and learning to rely on other individuals are indeed invaluable lessons that the army teaches. The friends made are also a positive aspect that can be taken from this experience. Most young men are motivated by competition and everything during recruit camp is a competition which makes the time go by quicker then most may think.’
Goods Stuff!!!
The regiment can be summed up in four words “hurry up and wait”. Most of it is a complete waste of time. Sure it taught me a few things, but all in all the negative i got from it wasn’t worth it to me. I had a serious injury that had required 3 operations and on taking my physical showed the doctor the limitations of my range of motion and pointed out my joint locks and swells. My ankle is also visible larger than the other one due to an excess of bone. I was told that all of this would be put down in my file. Amazing how during 2 week camp explaining this after rolling my ankle running up Jaro couldn’t even get me an ice pack. First i was told i couldn’t take my boot off because i would be out of uniform so i had to wait. It wasn’t until after lunch (i rolled it in on the morning run at 6)I got to a medic. The medic when i got there had no record of me having anything wrong with me medically.
The next time i had a really negative experience i was dealing with some personal issues and needed a night off from camp. I called in on the Monday spoke to everyone i needed to I was told i had a shooting test that had to be done so to come and they would let me leave early. I went to camp after i was done spoke to my sergeant who spoke to the sergeant major and i handed him my rifle and left camp. Two weeks later i find myself up on orders in front of the captain. The charge being AWOL from camp the night i got permission to leave. The captain didn’t believe me and i convinced him to talk to the sergeant major. He tells me he has no idea what i’m talking about either, it wasn’t until i pointed out we had a shooting test and i had turned over my rifle to him. He couldn’t argue with the fact that he had signed my rifle back into the armoury. I can’t remember the Latin term they used but essentially i was told i was guilty of the offence and it was on my record but they would let me off.
All of this is aside from the verbal abuse that you have to put up with on a daily basis to “make up a man”. Let me tell you some of the things i have witnessed being screamed at recruits and soldiers you cannot say in public to people. If i was to walk up to a police office and say it i would find myself under arrest. Somehow it’s acceptable for young men despite the fact that you grow up being told to be respectful and not to use language like that. Being forced to show up somewhere and work while someone screams obscenties at you for most of the day isn’t right, lie i said before it taught me a few things but the regiment did not make me a better person.
Simple solution for all those complaining including the author of the article, u had options; St. John’s Ambulance etc… “But wait those are unpaid, can’t possibly do that, and those have stricter rules and require more of my time. Guess i might as well go to the regiment”
All of you need to get over it.
So you’re saying that the Regiment doesn’t need a review? I believe that the services provided to the community by them are much needed… but there has to be a better way than conscription.. The white man thought the world would end without slavery but he was proved wrong… who says the Regiment would not suceeed without it?
As a corporal, you sound quite unprofessional.
Possibly one who takes advantage of his authority!
I agree with Corporal!
First off , Clinton , I respect and always enjoy your input. We do need more people with the ability to think things out like yourself , so don’t take my .02 as a personal assault.
When I did my time the year end bounty didn’t even come near $1000
When I did my time there was way more black NCO’s and commanders than white . The numbers change from time to time but don’t read a racial thing into it. Whites are probably more motivated to get ahead and not have people stomping all over them during their time. Black guys are probably more motivated by ‘the light at the end of the tunnel’ and just want to get it over with as soon as possible. (@ Former Recruit) And always remember , white guys are outnumbered by about 7 to 1 at the recruitment call up age , so that in itself goes a very long way to explaining the ‘complexion makeup’ of the army .. always has , always will. No conspiricy there.
I very much agree that the whole place could be better organized .
I hated my three years with a passion but I was in fact asked to stay on.
Col Burch has repeatedly stated that the Regiment is a great equaliser in bringing people together who never otherwise would have been.. When I was there very few of the black recruits had ever been around or socialized with whites in their lives.
For most , it was a major turning point .
Sure some guys don’t really need it , but everyone comes away with experiences that will last them a lifetime…more good than bad. Ask any former recruit.
And I highly doubt that many in Bermuda today would argue that discipline is seriously lacking in way too many young Bermudian males. Ask any momma who’s seen a marked difference (improvement) in her ‘troublesome son’ after recruit camp alone.
Finally , for those still reading, I had a few relatives who served in WW2 . One was actually a female seargent who was on the beaches at Dunkirk.. I’d never disgrace their efforts or memory in helping to keep the world ‘free’ by bitching about what to them would have been a walk in the park in a part time military service.
In its present form, yes the Regiment is a total waste of time & money & has been for decades. That is not to say that I would disband the Regiment & let everyone off the hook for some sort of community service.
There are many charitable organizations in dire need of volunteer time. There are groups like St Johns, Big Brothers & Sisters, many seniors homes etc. For those of age volunteering time for these type of organizations should be first option. Make the Regiment much smaller too. Yes, the band is necessary. Yes there is a need for a number for ceremonial duties (visitors love that stuff). The Regiment could be staffed in the first instance like the Police Reserves (another service option) i.e. people who WANT to be there. Any surplus people needed could be drawn from those who did not sign up for an alternate service option.
The Regiment needs changing but, as Clinton says, Government is too lazy to do it.
Once again we have the wonderful debate on conscription that as we all know went to the privy counsel and what people got SQUASHED. So all those who have done there “alloted time” and are awaiting to do there “alloted time” shut up. Until there are enoungh of the right people to envoke change in this process stand to attention and salute and be proud of the one thing that is bermudian CONSCRIPTION.
$1000 a week I want that fun job
The Bermuda Regiment is a great collage, where all students graduate in “The Reality of Life”
- Hurry the F*** up and wait! SHUT UP, don’t talk. Stop moving, stop fidgeting, NO you can’t blow your nose. Right, put on your drill boots, hurry up, what’s taking so long? Actually hold on, wait you’re supposed to have your combats on, take off your drill boots, NOW, HURRY, come on quickly let’s go! Shovel your food, you’re late, eat now taste later! HURRY the F*** UP! Quick MARCH, lef, ight, lef, ight. Bend and Drive! Halt! You talk one more time and I’ll give you extras. No I don’t care SHUT the F*** up. Do that one more time and I’ll have you locked up, TRY ME, I swear you move one more time and I’ll have you standing at attention for hours after lights out. NO I don’t care if you’re feeling sick, grow up, you’re supposed to be a man. You’re not injured, you’re a liar. If you go to the medic, our platoon will loose points and I don’t loose. Do as I say, we’re a team but we’re competing against each other. Life isn’t always gonna be easy, if you can’t accept that then maybe you should hang yourself. Six hours of sleep is plenty for a 16 hour day, what are you a (edited) or a (edited)? You talk one more time and I’ll give you extras. NO I don’t care what you think, you’re just a private, grow some balls and suck it up. Life isn’t fair! Write a letter to the editor why don’t you? HURRY up and WAIT!
Thank You for your views Mr. Paynter, lots of pros and cons amongst the comments, I agree that the Bermuda Regiment in its current state does need a review and while were at it might as well review the Police Service as well but thats a different topic, to all those that “complain” about the cursing and whatnot, please enlighten me as to what armed force has a happy go lucky boot camp where all the recruits are wrapped in cotton wool and everybody sits around the bonfire roasting marshmallows and singing kumbaya. I can appreciate that we are all entitled to our views, but deep down all this anger towards any structured program is more a direct reflection of the lack of social programs and a woeful education system that ultimately sets our young men on a very hard path to begin with…getting rid of conscription will surely make many young men elated, but we must ensure that something else is put in place where all can give back to the community.
If the Regiment was to change to a smaller full time force how many would sign up…deep down i think that it would go the way of the police service and be supplemented by foreign staff, wont be long before the Fire Service starts recruiting overseas.
Thank You
The main issue with the regiment is the amount of time that is wasted on an average. There is no way that a 2 hour drill night should take 4 hours. You told to be there for 6:45 but it’s almost 7:30 before you are fallen for muster. Then you are told to hurry up and wait for another hour. Then you do your lessons then wait for another hour then fall in to be dismissed. And the orders process……..half of the time you are standing waiting to find out why you are being charged so that’s another hour wasted. The only company that I see that does not waste peoples time on an average is the band. Maybe the CO and Company commanders should take notes from the band on cracking on and getting stuff done in a timely manner instead of wasting two hours a night wondering what to do next. Not to say they are perfect, sure they have admin faults but it’s defiantly not as bad as the rest of the regiment.
“The civil rights struggle and the draft struggle are indivisible”……. Martin Luther King. Remember he was against all forced labor, struggles, and injustices. Many of you will no doubt celebrate him today yet you are against what he stood for………….Big up to all the pen names. Tell people to suck it up n have same b@!!s but u can’t even sign ya name. Funny
hahah
I noticed the pen name thing as well… people need to remember this piece was MY OPINION… if you have a differing view send it in to Bernews and get it posted with your real name like I did. Some people make me LOL!
We have a rather lazy, spoiled, self-centered, and somewhat poorly educated target group here. And of course not one likes being told what to do or when to do it. But I agree with Col. Burch and others, there are benefits in racial integration, social interaction, and discipline. Revue it, fine, but how about keeping it to a 3 year program with an option: each recruit (either volunteer of conscript)has the choice of the 3 years locally or 1 year full-time in a branch of the armed forces of Canada or Britain (this will need some work). Proper training with some career potential at the end of it, and definite character building in the real world. I for one am tired of our youth whining and complaining with little or no give back and we are failing them because we don’t challenge.
A review is fine but is pointless. The simple fact is for the Regiment to be formed into a full or part-time professional service the government needs to support it instead of cutting its budget 3-4 times in the past 3 years. I currently serve and also it would be good if those who posted and served said when as while the Regiment has many problems it as steadily gotten better and I don’t believe the Regiment of 13 years ago as exactly the same as the Regiment today.
The only persons who can abolish conscription in Bermuda are our Members of Parliament. Those persons who wish this to take place should lobby them, rather than engaging in the annual slinging match,which accomplishes nothing!
Do you know how your MP feels about this subject? If not ask questions!
i completely agree with clinton. the ways of the bermuda regiment need to be readdressed.
I believe that those that should be required to serve in the Regiment should be those that have done jail time or gotten themselves in trouble. It makes no sense to me that the young men who have served time get a free pass not to serve in the Regiment. They need the “boot camp” therapy. It probably would serve as a deterrant to not want to break the law.
I was in the regiment in 1999. I will admit, now that I live in the US that I did not complete the whole 3y 2m’s, but I did enough time to become a Lance Corporal. When I started I did not like being there, but eventually like it was said in the article, I became immune and accepted it. But now, 12 years later, when I look in retrospect, my time there was actually fun. I mean yeah, they shouted and cursed and pretty much forced me to drink, but it really wasn’t that bad. It was like a rite of passage and if you ask me if I could go back and take that time out of my life, I would say NO! And even if I returned to Bermuda to live today, and since I have not reached the age to opt out of the remainder of my service, I would have little problem with going back.
Mr. Paynter:
I will not shoot the messenger sans the message; however, I will provide my thoughts on the matter.
Review of the Regiment is not needed or required. The Regiment could do away with conscription as soon as it has a viable option in place first.
However, those who talk down the Regiment wihtout servicing first are “whispers in the wind” to me (you are not in this category). The Regiment has its problems as well as its triumphs. The young brothers of BAD have been misguided and heavy-handed in their attempts to “foil” conscription by TRYING TO DESTROY the Regiment – - thanks to the latent filled hate fueled by Mr. Larry Marshall, Sr.
I agree with BAD – conscription should be eliminated; however, we need a plan in place first – that’s all.
Everything said is the truth. The regiment destroys themselves. And yes we do HATE conscription.
Mr Marshall
Your last few attempts at “truth” (tarnish) have been found false (even in courts of law). So I guess, your version of truth, often not backed up by facts, is misguided.
The Regiment is just another form of mental and physical slavery!! Another way to keep blacks institutionalized, and you can say whatever you like about it, the truth hurts!! You can get a year in jail for missing a few drills, but if you actually commit a real crime you can get a conditional discharge or a suspended sentence!! If they don’t have conscription in the U.K. why on earth would we have it here…. I’m just asking? It’s so hypocritical I think. Why did they even abolish it…. Could there perhaps be something wrong with it?!?!?! People are just so blind they can’t even see it!! I’m glad BAD did the right thing, FIGHT THE POWER!!!
Are you saying only black Bermudians are conscripted. My personal experience would prove otherwise.
BAD would be well advised to research cases where people have gotten off as ‘conscientious objectors’ and tailor their argument on that basis. Use historical precedent as an arguing point. Perhaps also do some research into other small islands that did away with conscription, and offer them to the Government, in that regard you will appear to be taking the higher road. And if the Government ignores those suggestions, it becomes more and more obvious that there is no effort to want to change the status quo. BAD, one of your primary objectives should be to win public support for an alternative to conscription. Right now, as evidenced by this page, there is a split in how people are viewing this situation.
I support BAD in their cause. I find in Bermuda we are too passive about a great many things, and whether you think they’re right or wrong, I admire these young men for standing tall with the deck so strongly stacked against them.
I completely agree with the arguement that 100 volunteers would be much better than 300 pressed men and do not understand the obvious governmental/regimental hierachy opposition to this much needed metamorphosis.
If that were to happen, they (the Regiment) could then actually receive proper training and take over positions like guarding the Governor at Government House, thereby freeing up Police Officers to be on the street. This ‘Volunteer’ Regiment could also seriously look at starting to patrol Bermuda’s territorial waters out into the 200 mile Economic Exclusion Zone and stop large fishing vessels from all over the world devastating our waters.
The Bermuda Government could even look at making our EEZ a fish free zone to all except Bermuda based fishermen. The Regiment could be responsible for search and Rescue and stop our reliance on the US Coast Guard because the Police here certainly are not willing and are definately not capable of going out in anything over a little breeze.
Think outside the box and see what other benefits Bermuda could derive from a ‘volunteer’ Regiment instead of continuing with this ridiculous from of enslaving their most valuable resource – their people!