Regiment Breaks Marine Recruit Course Record
Members of the Bermuda Regiment have rappelled, crawled, navigated and secured their way to the end of the first phase of their overseas annual training camp. The soldiers broke the recruit course records set by a specialist detachment of Royal Marines that had stood for a decade.
The 165 troops mustered at Bermuda International Airport last Saturday and bordered their chartered flight to the United States Marine Corps base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
A Regiment spokesperson said, “The following morning, the troops were up, shaved, and dressed by 0545hrs so they could begin their overseas training. By 0800hrs the three Platoons were either working on Forward Operating Base patrols, developing Internal Security skills, or learning about urban sniping operations.”
“As night fell, the teams were once again sent out to different training areas where one platoon abseiled from a 4 storey wall while another platoon practiced their marksmanship on a state-of-the-art electronic indoor range. The final activity, which was also the most arduous, was the night infiltration – a quintessentially Marine activity.”
“The infiltration is a 420m course that requires the troops to run, leopard crawl, wade and jump through tunnels, under razor wire, across a muddy river, and over wooden walls while mini-explosions are detonated creating a simulated battlefield environment– all against the clock.”
“As 1 Platoon – under the command of Lt Paolo Odoli – progressed through the course it became evident that the Bermudians were on a mission to prove their ability: the team broke the course record set by a specialist detachment of Royal Marines that had stood for a decade.”
“Every participant was thoroughly exhausted, soaked, covered in mud, but obviously elated because of their accomplishment. It was an extremely proud moment for The Regiment and a testament to the hard work and determination of the team.”
The following day the Bermuda contingent was visited by His Excellency, The Governor of Bermuda Sir Richard Gozney and the Hon Col of the Regiment, Col Eugene Raynor who spent the day visiting training such as a mock village where they watched Internal Security training, the Brig where they saw the Regimental Police undertaking training delivered by the Marine Police, Boat Troop working with the Coast Guard, and the Medics working in a US Naval medical facility. Sir Richard spent a great deal of time talking with the troops and having a frank discussion with them about the training they were receiving.
The troops are currently preparing to deploy onto their Final Test Exercise which will be 4 days providing internal security to the mock town of “Jackson Key”.
Lt Col Gonsalves is pleased with the progress so far and praises everyone’s efforts. He said, “The Training Team has done a sterling job – the soldiers’ skills have noticeably improved. I have also observed that the soldiers have really stepped up to the challenge and taking advantage of this superb opportunity. Their behaviour has also been praiseworthy; I feel that our troops have been operating as more than individuals, looking out for each other and demonstrating a justified sense of pride in themselves and each other”.
Well done!! Care to comment BAD???
Firstly as a former Royal Marine let me congratulate the Bermuda Regiment. Secondly, as I can see from the photo’s on your News Website, the soldiers pictured during the assault course are not carrying weapons, webbing, ammunition or in fact Bergins on their backs. As a former Royal Marine, we do all of our assault course training with these items on a regular basis. Not to steal the thunder but this course record would have been originally set by the RM Commandos with these pieces of kit including weapons and packs. This is a very different scenario than running with nothing but a flack jacket on as I can see in the pictures above. Once again, well done to the Men of the Bermuda Regiment, but at the same time please realise the differences in the training . The Royal Marines Commandos are one of the most elite fighting forces in the world. Most recruits do not make it through the initial training itself.
@Former Royal Marine
I agree with you mate. I knew there was something missing from these photos
I think one of our T/A Colonels may have tried to pull a fast one.
HEY!!!!!!! Ease up there dood…..You congratulate them in one breath and deem your better because you had to carry all that gear. Jingus…..
Plus they beat you. Yah just pissed because of that. And for your information and that of others, this is the “Elite” section of the Bermuda Regiment codenamed “BlackSeal-Six-Pack”.
I have nothing further to say on this matter as I am not authorised but I did sleep at a Holiday Inns in St. George last night…..(wal, nax two dee cannon horn dee heal)…..
@ Terry – you are a serious idiot!! A funny idiot, but still an idiot!! lol
I will have a Special Cooler (HK) for them when they return at Warick Camp!
I am a soldier at camp lejeune and this tactical BS is a waste of Bermuda’s money. Most of us dont wont to be here and after our three years we will not be more discipline. We will just be better at shooting each other which seems to be an escalating problem in Bermy anyway. In my opinion they could have used that half million dollars to teach the less fortunate of us a valuable trade or forced us to learn something of more value like politics or so we can oneday make a difference in our society. But no keep us young dumb and full of rage, because after all it keeps the commanders of police and regiment in a position of need, and perpetuates their useless paychecks. Discipline is a joke reason to keep this toy soldier platoon afloat. Regardless we’re here on vacation on your dollar Bermuda so keep the bucks rolling, I got paid $1860 to waste, dont ask how much their getting lol. but we’re having fun.
Sorry! Did you say you are a Soldier attending the overseas Camp. Please state your Rank and Position within the Bermuda Regiment. Are you a Buck Private? Are you locked up?
@cleancut, I can tell you’re in the regiment and love it from your comment. I love that you posted this because it’s very telling of the feeling of superiority that all “commanders” in the regiment display. My only satisfaction is knowing that if the real world you are a loser.