CO Vision: Expanded Role, Increase Volunteers
With hundreds of spectators looking on at a Warwick Camp ceremony on Saturday [June 8], new Bermuda Regiment Commanding Officer [CO] Lt. Col. Michael Foster-Brown took over the sword of command from outgoing CO Lt. Col. Brian Gonsalves.
The incoming CO said his vision for the Regiment is an operationally effective organisation with expanded roles, working closely in support of the Bermuda Police Service, at the heart of — and in the hearts of — Bermudian society, with an ever increasing numbers of volunteers and respected at home and abroad.
Col. Foster-Brown said he envisaged a time when the Regiment’s contribution to the security and betterment of Bermuda is universally acknowledged.
“Over the next few years, though, the Regiment faces a number of challenges – these include: the forthcoming Security Review, financial restraint and a potential change to the way in which Recruits are enlisted,” he said.
“I am confident though as we move forward, building on the legacy of Colonel Brian and his predecessors that we have the right team in place and have a compelling story to tell.
“Operationally, we have a disciplined, trained force at notice-to-move to react to natural or man-made disasters at home, and if called upon to do so regionally. As Bermuda battens down in the event of a Hurricane, the Regiment will be leaving their families to support yours.
The slideshow below contains 200+ photos of the ceremony:
“On the waters and at national events we support the Police on a regular basis; in the event of disorder the Regiment is trained to protect people and property; and, with the right transfer of funding, there is the capacity and willingness to do more, including: an expansion of roles into Conventional Munitions Disposal and a potential in-shore Coastguard role for our Boat Troop on a full time basis.”
The new CO continued: “Our band promotes Bermuda internationally. Whilst at home, the Regiment — including our Junior Leaders — promotes Cohesion by bringing together disparate groups through a shared military experience. That experience providing the benefits that military service does to both the individual, his employers, and to society, including: Teamwork, Leadership, Self-Discipline and a strong work ethic.
“I intend to focus attention on these benefits in order that those currently serving get the recognition that they deserve, but also to increase our proportion of volunteers. As part of that campaign we will pay a bounty of $300 to each volunteer as he completes his basic training in addition to his daily pay of $140.
“This small but symbolic payment designed to acknowledge the step the individual has taken by volunteering to help protect and serve his community.”
Col. Foster-Brown also said Warwick Camp will introduce annual reports for each soldier and a testimonial on his discharge which he may use to help him with his employment outside the Regiment.
“My aim is that service in the Regiment is widely recognised as a badge-of-honour, and one which comes with: adventure, challenge, good pay, wider employment prospects, valuable life skills and the chance to make life long friendships,” he said.
“Before I conclude I wish to pay my own tribute to Colonel Brian for his 25 years of service and to publicly thank him for the constructive and positive way he has conducted the handover to me.
“The Regiment is facing some interesting times, but it is well placed to seize the opportunities ahead, with its distinguished history, the team that it has in-place and the friends that it has here in the audience. All of us have a role to play in helping shape that future, whether it be as a: currently serving soldier, policy maker, advisor, supportive employer, member of the public, or an understanding spouse – and I am proud to be leading that process as the 15th Commanding Officer of the Regiment.”
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“Operationally, we have a disciplined, trained force at notice-to-move to react to natural or man-made disasters at home, and if called upon to do so regionally. As Bermuda battens down in the event of a Hurricane, the Regiment will be leaving their families to support yours.”
– (1) Surely aceboy knows that no soldier is required to perform any
military service, or any non-combatant duty connected with military service, outside Bermuda….
– (2) Maybe he (or one of the regiment fanboys who post on here) can explain why we need a MILITARY to perform hurricane cleanup… Hint: We don’t. Point blank. It’s a cop out for why we need to conscript our young men.
– (3) Why all the emotional plea BS-ing? Please. Stop. The regiment sucks. And so do you.
@gatsby you are obviously one of these professional cry babies that when the tough get going you are long gone ahead of them. Pray you never need them, next hurricane make sure you let us all know that you are out and about helping get the island and your fellow Bermudians back up and running. As per line 1 I think you will find they VOLUNTEER to help and per line 3. Put on your big boy pants and grow up some people do have respect for those that serve no matter how they were enlisted.
The problem with assumptions is that they are most often wrong. And yours are no exception to this rule. Make a volunteer hurricane clean-up crew and I’ll be the first to sign up. But don’t militarize it. And don’t conscript me to do it. Comprende? I can guarantee I’m not the only ‘regiment cry baby’ in this boat. And re: #1 – do you think they will tell their lowly privates that they have the right not to serve overseas? Of course not. Just like they don’t tell them about being non-combatants, etc. Re: #3 – until the military respects me I will have no respect for it/those who run the show. Respect is a two-way street, inna? Oh, right…not true if it’s the government ramming something down your throat… or the CSM yelling he will ram his stick-thing up my ass
stop crying and take time to look up the word Volunteer, and as I was taught respect is EARNED not demanded BAD A#$
Uh yea, they do tell you that. In-fact, you are never required to leave the island; period, unless you’re taking a specialized course.
If anybody is yelling anything profane at you its because you’re a dumbass.
Wrong. You are required to undergo overseas training at the governor’s discretion. But I’m the dumbass…..riiiiight. The Defence Act is your friend mate. Embrace it. [21(1)(i)]
Or are you talking about the fact that they ‘tell you’ about your right to be a non-combatant. Or when the exemption tribunal meets if you are a conscientious objector. Because they don’t. Ever.
And I guess being yelled at makes me a manly man, right? Especially when profanities are hurled my way?
profanities only when you can’t follow an order after having been shown and rehearsed and are to dopy to get it. the stick of pain has a name =pace stick’ you also seem willing to utter obsenities so whats the diff Comrade you amuse me with your dislike for military matters. So brave the soldiers that fought to keep your world free or are you German?
if they improve the role the regiment plays recruiting would improve. the role as of now is a joke and if serious internal security threats appeared on Bermuda’s shores like they do in the rest of “the region” the regiment in it’s current capacity couldn’t deal with it. the boats the regiment uses aren’t fast enough and the powers the regiment posses aren’t strong enough