1) “Those who choose to serve (stay on past their mandatory time) are very different than those who are forced to serve (i.e. the other 90%). All people with a logical opposition to conscription have no problem with a much smaller, full-time regiment. Bermuda would benefit from these men no matter what. But the real question should be what does Bermuda benefit from the other 90%? Does the regiment make their contribution to Bermuda any better? I don’t think it does, but I’m sure you’ll agree to disagree.”

a) Your statistic (10% vs 90%) is made up.
b) Other than volunteers ALL recruits are conscripts (Your 10% AND your 90%)
c) I would argue that their service in the Regiment will make their contribution to Bermuda better. As a matter of, many who have passed through the ranks have testified to that fact.

2) “They must do things 100% perfectly or face punishment.”

d) Not true

2) “Fear is how the regiment is run and anyone that speaks out against it is targeted and faces the punishments you assume aren’t there.”

e) Not true. I have served in the Regiment and that wasn’t my experience at all. I never felt threatened and financially penalized or abused. I was conscripted as well and I wasn’t a wayward youth. A person has a hand in creating their experiences. Not just the Regiment but in life as well.

3) “As was said earlier all of these things can be achieved through non-military means”

f) No arguement from me here. I never suggested that the Regiment was the only means to achieve these things, it is not ..but it is one.

4) “Why haven’t we ever said let’s conscript just women this year? If the benefits to the men are as big as you think they are, surely the women of Bermuda would benefit as well? And as women are the driving force behind any great nation/household, I argue that Bermuda would be better off having women taught the ‘valuable lessons’ outlined above”

g) And herein lies one of the problems with the anti-conscription movement- The argument. If your argument is that women aren’t conscripted so therefore I shouldn’t be either, that seems cowardice and reaks of of one who is happy to pawn off a man’s responsibility to a woman. It seems you are in fact suggesting that with this statement’

“And as women are the driving force behind any great nation/household,”

Women may be now THE driving force in many households, but I submit that it was not designed to be that way. Men have very much abdicated their role in the homes and our Women have been forced to do both her job and in many cases the man’s as well. I for one am thankful for women who take on that burden but that doesn’t make it right or acceptable.

I maintain that the Regiment is not a perfect organization but its benefits are significant. The challenge is that, unless you are there and have witnessed the transformation in men and women, you cannot quantify it and therefore see it as useless.

1) “The majority of young men that successfully pass through the ranks in the Regiment go on to serve in many other areas in Bermuda. AG, Chief of Staff, Commissioner of Prisons etc. you have directly benefitted from those who serve.”

Those who choose to serve (stay on past their mandatory time) are very different than those who are forced to serve (i.e. the other 90%). All people with a logical opposition to conscription have no problem with a much smaller, full-time regiment. Bermuda would benefit from these men no matter what. But the real question should be what does Bermuda benefit from the other 90%? Does the regiment make their contribution to Bermuda any better? I don’t think it does, but I’m sure you’ll agree to disagree.

2) “Do those men women in the video look like slaves to you? I don’t see anyone cracking a whip over their backs.”

Yes, they do… and how you can’t see it shows your true bias in this debate. They are being forced to march by their commanding ‘masters’. They must do things 100% perfectly or face punishment. Whilst no whip is produced they are threatened by various ‘masters’ with hittings and financial punishment. Fear is how the regiment is run and anyone that speaks out against it is targeted and faces the punishments you assume aren’t there.

3) “What i see is the result of hard work, comraderie, achievement, pride and team work. None of those things could be quantified in dollars and cents but we sorely need more of it in Bermuda.”

As was said earlier all of these things can be achieved through non-military means. How about we conscript all men into playing cricket? Or football? Surely teams of conscripts would result in hard work, comraderie, achievement, pride and team work, right?

4) “You are entitled to you opinion but you are wrong.”

Keep an open mind to others who have differeing opinions than you. What was said holds merit but you seemed to have dismissed everything, carte blanche.

5) “Like any organization, the budget plays a fundamental role in in deciding the scope.”

Why haven’t we ever said let’s conscript just women this year? If the benefits to the men are as big as you think they are, surely the women of Bermuda would benefit as well? And as women are the driving force behind any great nation/household, I argue that Bermuda would be better off having women taught the ‘valuable lessons’ outlined above…

Do those men women in the video look like slaves to you? I don’t see anyone cracking a whip over their backs. Neither fo i believe that those individuals in the video are driving Bermuda to 3rd eorld status. The ones you are speaking of are those oppose to doing any kind of service (like you).

What i see is the result of hard work, comraderie, achievement, pride and team work. None of those things could be quantified in dollars and cents but we sorely need more of it in Bermuda.

You are entitled to you opinion but you are wrong.

As a side, you illogical leap (if it were so good everyone would do it but everyone doesn’t do therefore it can’t be that good) is ridiculous. Like any organization, the budget plays a fundamental role in in deciding the scope.

You are a speacial young man, and you continue to make your family proud.

Your such a good role model for your brothers, and i see their following in your footsteps. Keep up the good work.

Love your Aunty’s Uncle’s, and cousins Go Travis Go.Hugs