This again goes back to my suggestion of a full time better trained force rather then a group of part time individuals. Where most don’t want to be there in the first place so getting them to actually put an once of effort over the bare minimum requirement is most times a waste of time. Another thing to think about, if you’re having issues getting individuals to show up to camp during peace times what chance do you think it would be for them to show up during civil unrest?

It’s fine to have a position on the appropriateness of the law at present, but until such time as it changes, the law is the law. What the LTAs situation means is that (1) there’s a burden on the rest of us law-abiding soldiers, since time and resources have to go to dealing with this issue, (2) the intake each year has to be larger than it needs to be in order to keep up the appropriate level of manpower, which means that chances of any young man turning 18 being drafted is higher than it needs to be, and (3) it’s just plainly unfair.

Against conscription and the Regiment? Then by all means, advocate for change. But don’t make this man out to be some kind of martyr.

If there is a question of race, you can argue that perhaps the officer corps is a bit white-heavy. But that’s arguably a Bermudian / non-Bermudian issue instead of a race issue, what with the large number of British command appointments we have. Whether fairly or not, the rationale is that there are insufficient numbers of qualified Bermudians to take the senior command posts, especially when set against full time soldiers from the British Army with experience in Iraq and Afghanistan.

But the notion that there are few white people? Nonsense.

Get over it!

As a former solider like yourself, I believe the ones who really need the regiment are never called, because the regiment does not want to worst of the worst.

On another note,I done my time, was frustrated at times, but enjoyed the experience and met many friends. I personally think the Regiment has its pro’s and con’s, but overall, the 3 years won’t kill anyone. As the old saying goes, ” What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger”

P.S. I must admit, I learned some patience, because they were very long winded in the late 90′s & early 2000′s.

You are committed to the Regiment for three years. If they say you have a march, camp , overseas trip , you must go.

BTW Fire & St. Johns expect more time & commitment from their people than the regiment. It’s not really three years in the regiment if you total up the full time expected. There are countries in Europe with real three year drafts where once your in your there for a full three years day in & out with only a few breaks.

Why is it that we subscribe to this thought that the only way we can give back is by serving in the Regiment? The Regiment is a distraction to most. It has been good for some – I agree, but it IS a distraction for many! How many of us know of someone that decided to just the “Regiment Thing” out of the way with an then go to College. After 3 years of serving, when their friends are coming home, most decide they no long have the desire to go abroad.

My Suggestion:

1) Allow our your to serve – anywhere their is a charitable demand!
2) Three years is too long unless you wish to make a career out of serving in the military. We are trying to save money as a country. here is where we can cut back, with little to no detrimental affect.
3) Make going, and graduating from College, Trade School or University an incentive. If you go and get a career and do something positive, you only need to serve one year!

In the words of Gunnery Sergeant Hartman, “Private Cowboy, and you don’t look much like a steer to me, so that kinda narrows it down.”

You’re referring to a Statute of Limitations, though I’m not sure if there is one for this type of offence in Bermuda. Nevertheless, it’s not that he committed one offence when he skipped a day 7 years ago; his offence would have been recommitted every single day he didn’t show up in the interim, so in this case such a Statue would not be relevant.

Now what I can’t understand is this: it is in no way, shape or form an offence to live off island for any reason. While living off island, you are fully exempt from serving in regiment, no questions asked, no questions relevant, full stop. My guess is that he actually skipped for a few years while living on island, before he went off island.

The Grand Architect is wroth!