Photo Report: 2011 Recruit Camp Training
Over 160 recruits, 36 of them volunteers, are undergoing two weeks of intense training at Warwick Camp, with the recruits now in their fourth day of training.
A spokesman said: “On the drill square they have learned to march as one, and already can respond sharply to commands such as “Salute to the Front,” “About Turn,” or “Eyes Right.” Their first real test on the drill square will be this Saturday’s Inter-Section Drill Competition.”
Capt David Madeiros (OC Trg Coy), Premier Paula Cox, Cabinet Secretary Donald Scott and Asst Cabinet Secretary Judith Hall-Bean are shown below touring Warwick Camp:
The Governor is joined by US Consul Grace Shelton in a talk with one of the platoons, while on break from a morning drill lesson:
“By the end of Thursday evening, the recruits will have concluded five days of weapons lessons. They will then be required to pass a Weapon Handling Test, where they will have to demonstrate their proficiency in the safe handling of the Mini Ruger 14, before being permitted to fire on the Camp and Beach ranges. Live firing commences on Friday.”
Recruits are pictured below receiving instruction on safe weapon handling from their Section Commander:
Targets are prepared for Live Firing later in the first week:
“Four days into Recruit Camp the soldiers are becoming accustomed to the long days. Platoon rivalries are emerging and platoons are actively competing to make the most noise during the morning Physical Training (PT) sessions,” the spokesperson added.
“It is encouraging, if a little surprising, to note that in spite of an open invitation for the first time this year to attend any of the events on the training program, the Press – sometimes referred to as Bermuda’s Watchdogs – have so far elected to attend only the standard VIP visits held throughout the Camp. It would appear that the sometimes-stated concern of “Draconian” methods, together with the BAD group’s claims that harassment is occurring, are not viewed as legitimate, and that there is confidence in the public’s mind that the Regiment’s training methods are in fact in line with international best practices in a military setting.”
Below Capt Chris Gauntlett [Adjutant and Public Relations Officer] delivers a lesson to the recruits on the “values and standards of the Regiment”:
“Looking ahead to the Sports competitions – platoon volleyball and football competitions will commence on Friday night. The Inter-Section 5-Mile Road Race will be held at 3:50pm on Saturday. Friends and family are routinely found lining the race course cheering on the recruits; the race begins at Warwick Camp, goes left and over Camp Hill to Middle Road, along to Barnes Corner and then back to Camp.”
“Daily barrack room inspections as well as sports, drill and team building competitions all help to determine who will be the Champion Platoon, Champion Section and Best Recruit. Those who have their own long-standing allegiances with 7 Platoon (Blue), 8 Platoon (Yellow), 9 Platoon (Red) or 10 Platoon (Green) already have a close eye on the groups to see if their predictions will come true.”
Shown below is Governor Sir Richard Gozney, Commander-in-Chief of the Regiment (center), touring Warwick Camp along with CSM Trg Coy WO2 Rupert Lambert (far left), the Adjutant, Capt Chris Gauntlett (2nd from left), the Governor’s ADC Maj Christian Wheddon (2nd from right) and OC Trg Coy Capt David Madeiros (far right)
[Photos courtesy of the Bermuda Regiment]
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check the guy snoozing in the 4th picture – instruction on safe weapon handling. FUNNY!
doesnt look like he is shooting looks like he is disassembling the gun
It’s a rifle. Not a gun.
Looks like the Regiment already got to him ^^^
is this in response to my post? looks like you replied to me and i mentioned NOTHING about shooting…..
It is funny but whats got me chuckling is that these pictures were provided by the Regiment, so who missed that when they were approving what pictures to send.
I’ve read a few opinions on the Regiment and some of the feedback has been along the lines of, “It is a great experience,” mentioning words like ‘positive attitude’ and such.
From all of the photo’s I have seen – there doesn’t appear to be one single soldier smiling. Quite a few of them have their hands on chin trying to support their head, giving a sign of boredom or tiredness.
The supporting of the head with hands might have to do with the fact that their getting up at 5:30ish for morning exercise and less to do with boredom. And it can be a great experience if you keep a positive attitude and an open mind.
And you say that with such aspiration and enthusiasm. You must remember that this is being *forced.* Regardless of any positive comment, you must always keep in the back of your mind that this is being *forced.*
I actually wish that for every comment made for the Regiment started with, “The forced conscription of the Regiment…” It wouldn’t prove much of an argument.
Oh – and yes, there are volunteers (before someone says I didn’t point them out). Jumping out of an air plane is also a voluntary act. It also provides an much better experience and I am willing to bet that no one will be “supporting of the head with hands.”
“It can be a great experience if you keep a positive attitude and an open mind.” – The same thing can be said to prisoners, being involuntarily (again..FORCED) being cast away on a island… Hmm…that can actually be said in almost any situation. Regardless of your defence, the mere fact that you included the words ‘it can be’ already sets the mood in every readers mind that you are attempting to make *good* out of an already *bad* situation.
I do like your positive attitude. Keep it up.
Stop crying *bringing out the violin*
I noticed the same thing in the pictures. Only difference is that all the feedback that I have got from past recruits and current are the complete opposite of yours. Words like, nasty, hate, downgrading, mean, nonbeneficial, and so on. Of course, these comments have only come from people that I know in the regiment and just to assure those that are reading, these comments do not come from one or two individuals, but from 17 to be exact. Each one of them has expressed the same feelings only with different words. NTB, actual officers in the regiment, the newspapers, and those that are not in the regiment all seem to have the same opinion, that the regiment is good and it effects your life in a positive way and so on and so on………..Not sure who to beleive to be honest, but I do know this, those that are there whom I have spoken to would not spew such negative comments with such seriousness behind their expressions if it were not true. I’m just saying……..
Also, I beleive it can be a positive experience if you keep an open mind, but who am I to force my ideals onto other people? Some people are just not built mentally nor phisically for the regiment and their type of ideals and goals. The sooner we all accept that, then the sooner there will be a more positive outlook island-wide towards the regiment.
Realistically, I’m not against the idea of serving Bermuda. The only reason I don’t like the Regiment is because I believe it can be rethought out. If you have 90% of the soldiers saying good things about it then I am all for it. The problem is that that isn’t currently the case.
I also wish the government would provide more opportunities for Bermudians to server their country. Currently, if you are with the Bermuda Police Service, the Fire Service, St. John’s Ambulance or you are still in school, you can easily avoid the Regiment.
The government should provide more opportunities in areas that Bermuda is lacking. If Tourism is on decline, then create a community service group that helps tourists. If crime is on the rise, create a big brothers and sisters group that you can serve in to guide the youth down the right path. If Bermuda is in debt, then provide a fund raising group to collect money that goes towards needed goals in Bermuda. All of these things can be served in place of the Regiment.
I feel you and agree with you.
Where can you find any organization (conscripted or voluntary) with a 90% satisfaction rate? Every organization has its flaws. The challenge we have is to try and weigh up if the Regiment does more good than bad. I firmly believe it does but only because i have been there and I have seen the impact first hand. The challenge is that there are no statistics to prove this. There is no way to gauge how many young men were on a negative track pre Regiment and have since changed track, post Regiment and how the Regiment may or may not have influenced that positive change. Perspective is everything. Many guys go in with a bad one and come out with a bad one. Conversely, many guys go in open minded and benefit. Its all about choice.
Jesus!! Its learning how to clean up after hurricanes, shoot and hide in the bushes, not recruitment for a cult…eff