Regiment Recruits Hit Halfway Mark In Training
The Bermuda Regiment’s newest recruits yesterday [Jan 18] enjoyed a day off at home – after a grueling five mile run on Saturday.
The recruits took part in a drill competition on Saturday morning, followed by a five mile road race before a well-earned break.
The recruits also watched a fieldcraft demonstration on South Shore put on by their instructors – some of whom were raw recruits themselves only two years ago.
Conscript Private Sam Matthews, 24, said after the run: “I enjoy the physical training the most – the Regiment’s the best time in my life.”
A section of new recruits takes part in the drill completion, held at Warwick Camp on Saturday.
Pte Matthews, from Smith’s and an internal sales representative at computer firm ACT, added: “I’m learning a lot about working with other people, being a leader, pushing myself and reaching levels I’ve never reached before.”
Pte Nicoy Anglin, 18, who volunteered, said: “I volunteered basically for fitness and also just to get a better understanding of the Regiment.
The 18-year-old bank teller from Pembroke added: “Some people say it’s so bad, but I’ve loved it. It’s the constant trying to get better.”
Sergeant Major James Self [right] tests a recruit as part of the drill competition held for new recruits
Pte Lateef Trott, from Hamilton Parish, who is currently job hunting while working as a volunteer medic at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, was conscripted.
The 19-year-old Hamilton Parish man, who played for St George’s in last summer’s Cup Match, said: “I was nervous – but my father and my uncle were both in the Regiment and they told me about it. It seems like a good thing and I’m hoping to get some rank.”
Pte Trott said he had hoped to join the Regiment’s medics – but was now looking at applying for the junior Non-Commissioned Officers’ Cadre then trying for a commission through the officers’ training course.
New Privates Chez Harvey, Kevin Weeks and Wilfrid Outerbridge
He added: “My thing is, since I’m here, I should make good use of it and see how far I can go.”
Pte Staceylee Condor, a mom-of-three, saw two sons through the Regiment before she volunteered herself at the age of 44.
Pte Condor, from Hamilton Parish, said: “I’m looking for the experience and trying to find something different in my life because my children are all grown up.”
She added: “They tried to talk me out of it and said I didn’t know what I was getting into – but it’s not that harsh at all. The hardest part for me is trying to get down the drills. Everything else is just fine.”
Regiment instructors show off their fieldcraft skills for an audience of new recruits.
Pte Condor said she enjoyed the variety of personalities in the recruit intake and watching them surprise themselves under pressure.
She added: “I’m older than a lot of them, but it’s great seeing all these different people working as a team.
“We’re becoming a family and it’s good watching these young people maturing.”
New soldiers leave Warwick Camp on Saturday for the timed five mile road race.
Pte Kevin Weeks, 20, a volunteer from Smith’s, said time in the former Cadet Corps had given him a good grounding.
The kitchen porter at a rest home in Warwick added: “Getting up early is the most difficult thing for me, but I’m getting used to it.”
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