Regiment Preps For Camp Lejeune Trip
The Bermuda Regiment is in the final stages of preparation for deployment on its annual Overseas Camp at Camp Lejeune, the largest USMC facility in the eastern United States with over 50,000 military and civilians employed at the base.
The United States Marine Corps [USMC] Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina has been hosting the Bermuda Regiment for overseas training since 1981.
A Regiment spokesperson said the Regiment, “very much values its special relationship with the Marines; in addition to the USMC base, the Regiment travels regularly to Canada, Jamaica and the UK for various training camps and promotion courses.”
Major Julian Wheddon said, “It takes several months of planning to put an exercise like this together; this year, those who travel to Lejeune will get a chance to participate in a variety of scenarios depending on their role in the Regiment.”
Starting this week two USMC Sergeants [William Feigert and Greg Spies] arrive on island to conduct pre-training for Support Company Motor Transport drivers. This pre-training will focus on both the HUMVEE and the USMC 7-ton truck which Regiment drivers will use during the camp. The course corresponds with the Regimental weekend Exercise March Madness, to run this coming weekend.”
Boat Troop will receive training from both the US Navy and US Coast Guard, the Medics will conduct a customized Combat Medics course run by US Navy Corpsmen, and the Regimental Police will work at the Brig and with USMC MPs. For Alpha Company, their training will vary from multiple shooting ranges, Internal Security, Assault Course challenge, Field Training Exercise and finishing off with a March & Shoot Competition.
After the training, the soldiers will have two nights of “R&R” in Jacksonville.
Watch out for the ticks boys!
Surely the money spent sending these soldiers away would be better spent elsewhere?
where could we used this money Drew…surely the same thing can be said of various other govt programs.
@drew you’re absolutely right. Re-designing what we consider national service by young men can be one of the single greatest reform measures taken by the Government. 3 years mandatory service in the Regiment is backwards and relies on a one-size fits all program that hasn’t changed much since the 1960s. It can be compared to the education system and we now know how much of a disservice it is doing for Bermuda instead of being of benefit.
You know what keeps the Regiment alive besides outdated legislation? Middle-age men looking for a reason to leave home and go up Warwick Camp for a beer with the boys. It won’t be long until young men unite and up rise against the current system. The public shouldn’t be surprised when it does happen…who’s going to control this riot?
Peace
Well Private, I guess it will be just the same ole black on black. Your point was….
Terry, I think his point was that Regiment is useless and outdated. Which I must agree.
Why not get rid of this conscription army and instead create a Bermudian Coast Guard division with staff who want to be there and who are not threatened by arrest if they fail to show up. Bermuda Regiment has little to no real purpose besides parading around, hurricane clean up, and ……. well i just don’t know what else.
100% agree with Private – just a way for these guys to get away and play soldiers.
The CO claims that the Regiment is ‘up to date’ and ‘modern’…yet he fails to realize that the whole world is ending conscription in an attempt to ‘modernize’ their armies. Look at Germany: they’re ending conscription this year in order to achieve both cost savings ($1bn/year) and to create a more efficient/effective armed force – a ‘modernizing’ of their forces as described by local politicians. Does Bermuda need a more efficient/effective armed force? That’s up to you… does Bermuda need cost savings? We most surely do…
Dr. Brown pressed the US Government for Coast Guard boats and support ofr Bermuda. Dr. Brown devised the National Service plan as an alternative the Regiment. On that basis alone this Premier will never take them up. Haven’t you seen the “resetting of the dial”?
@Private(s)
You both have a point to a degree… but what are you really making a fuss over?? Are you making these comments as being what you really feel in regards to the regiment or because you are one of the men that do not like the fact that they were called to serve??? hhmm really wondering!!! The Regiment is the same all around the world to a degree, only difference is Bermuda does not have to partake in as many situations as the Regiment does in other countries! So what, you want the world to find better things to do with their money?? So when situations come up there’s no such thing as the Regiment in existence to do what they have been doing for many many years??
But i can guarantee, you have no complaint when that green rolls your way and into your pockets and hands right??!! Talk on what YOU know for yourself and what YOU feel, not what you THINK you know!! No hard feelings, everybody has their own thoughts and opinions!!
I am currently in the Regiment and have grounds to stand behind my statements. I am not against being called to serve, I am for reforming what this island perceives to be national service. It should be a combination of multiple activities, INCLUDING THE REGIMENT however three mandatory years up Warwick Camp is too long especially considering how little you leave there with. I would rather do a combination of the Regiment, St. Johns, and work for the centre of philanthropy, etc. This isn’t Bermudians against the Draft, it’s Bermudians for appropriate and effective community service.
The basic issue I have is that the Regiment does not have as much of an impact on society as it should, I would rather be out in the community making a difference instead of being directed to hurry up and wait until someone finds out what the lesson plan is for the night. It’s not necessarily a money issue, they actually do a decent job considering 75% of their expenses are for wages and salaries.
Also, I would like to know how many of our elected officials have served in the Regiment. I can only think of Colonel Burch so when you hear the Scott’s, Lister’s, Roban’s or the DeSilva’s standing up and supporting the Regiment, just ask them how they enjoyed their time up Warwick Camp. As a matter of fact, how many of their children have been called up? This is the main reason why we won’t see any amendments to the Defense Act as result and it’s a shame.
The Bermuda Regiment or a low-income social welfare program?
Ya, Interesting….. Just to let you know,
A) I am Proud to have been called to serve, so get your facts right before assuming or making up nonsense. My argument is that the Regiment does not have an effective purpose. Most of the conscripts there are miserable because when we go up we just sit around, get yelled at and waste time (Literally we sit around). Is this an effective way to spend money, wasting time? Give us actual authority, make us do important things. You state, “no such thing as the Regiment in existence to do what they have been doing for many many years” – seriously, can you please tell me what that is besides parades and hurricane clean ups…..
B) Your thought process sounds like a person who has never been called up or been to regiment. You should go in for one year and then we can have this discussion.
C) I am amazed at your “Green rolls your way” Comment as I would much rather have my freedom than have an amazing $3500 extra per annum.
D) You State,”Talk on what YOU know for yourself and what YOU feel, not what you THINK you know!!” I agree, you should listen to your own words here (I know what I’m talking about as I am living it as a conscript) – No hard feelings, everybody has their own thoughts and opinions!!
So happy for you thst you are Proud to be called to serve! Really, give you a thumbs up for that! Did i not say you all have a point to a degree?? Let me correct myself, i should have also added Drew as a name as well. I did/do agree with some of the statements you have made!!
What it is besides hurricanes and parades? Have you considered those that were given the opportunity to return to school being paid by the Regiment, or those sent overseas to do courses (training right up to business)?
For your information, I infact have been called up to the regiment and have indeed done my time. To an extent, i still have ties with the Regiment.
@Interesting,
You say “Have you considered those that were given the opportunity to return to school being paid by the Regiment…?”
Firstly, how many soldiers have actually gained their GED through regimental initiatives? I reckon the number is insignificant at best… Secondly, have you considered that for the amount of money it costs to run the regiment the government could pay the tuition of every student who is entering their first year of university? Getting your GED, whilst a good first step, shouldn’t be the ‘be all end all’ of the regiment’s educational initiatives. We should strive for more than that… and we already have free tuition at the Bermuda College. And what about those that currently have a university degree? Do they somehow have less to gain from being in the regiment than those who dropped out of high school? By your logic they do – and that seems a bit unfair to me…