Regiment CO Reflects On Three Years In Charge
Royal Bermuda Regiment CO Lieutenant Colonel Michael Foster-Brown will this weekend hand over command to his successor Lieutenant Colonel David Curley after nearly three years in the top job at Warwick Camp.
Career British Army officer Col Foster-Brown, who will take up his next post at the UK’s Joint Warfare Command Headquarters at Northwood, near London, in the summer, said: “I shall be sad to go.
“Being in command anywhere is a privilege – but being in command in Bermuda and working with the Regiment has been extra-special.”
The father-of-two said: “Not only the Regiment, but Bermuda as a whole, has a special place in my heart, and my youngest Charlie has spent most of his life here. He was six months old when we arrived and now he’s three – I have watched him and my daughter Alice grow up here.”
He added: “I’m hugely proud of what the Regiment has achieved. It has certainly been a busy time which has included three operational embodiments for disaster relief and our 50th anniversary.”
Col Foster-Brown said the award of the “Royal” title to the Regiment in 2015 was a particular highlight as it was an honour and recognition “not only for those currently serving, but for all those who have served before us.”
And he added another milestone included the historic first ever all volunteer recruit camp in 2016.
Lt Col Foster-Brown, who will step down tomorrow, addresses new recruits at Warwick Camp.
Col Foster-Brown said: “It was only possible because retention rates had gone up meaning we could reduce the intake and what was particularly satisfying is that those who know the Regiment the best, as they are in it, are voting with their feet and staying”.
He added: “The Regiment is special. It’s always been special and part of my job has been trying to reflect that back to the Island. We are now in the 11,000 range of Regimental numbers which is indicative of our reach on an island with a relatively small population.
Col Foster-Brown said the Regiment’s enduring relevance and public support was evident during the back-to-back Hurricanes of Fay and Gonzalo, which hit the island in quick succession in 2014.
A subsequent survey revealed that more than 90 per cent believed the Regiment’s role was “important”, and 59 percent thought it was “critically important”.
Col Foster-Brown said: “The all volunteer recruit camp has given me the most satisfaction, but the thing that made me most proud was seeing the Immediate Response Teams working so hard in the wake of Gonzalo, particularly when initially there was still some danger and understandably they were worried about family and friends.”
He added that during the embodiment the troops, whose primary role is to open access routes for emergency services, had deployed not knowing what the extent of the damage would be and if they would have to help rescue individuals trapped under rubble.
Regiment CO Lt Col Michael Foster-Brown examines the new issue SA-80 rifles, donated to the RBR by the UK Ministry of Defence.
But he said: “They performed their duties professionally and were doing so while there was still a tropical storm blowing outside.”
Col Foster-Brown added: “While we have achieved a lot, there are still plenty of exciting things on the horizon, including the potential full time lead maritime role for Boat Troop and the support to the America’s Cup in 2017.”
The change of command ceremony will take place at Warwick Camp on Saturday, when Major Curley, on promotion to Lieutenant Colonel, will take charge.
Col Foster-Brown said: “I wish David the best of luck – and my advice would be to enjoy it, the time will pass quickly and before he knows it he will be passing on the sword of command to the 17th Commanding Officer.
“I’d also say, if I was to narrow it down, that the future success of the RBR boils down to ensuring soldiers continue to find their service rewarding and that the Regiment remains relevant. The former will keep soldiers joining and staying, while the latter will maintain public support and our funding.
“We have demonstrated that relevance and it’s due to expand even further with the marine role, which we hope will see an extra 14 full-time staff providing an expanded visible daily operational presence on the water.”
Col Foster-Brown also said that a further highlight had been the replacement of the ageing stock of Mini Ruger rifles with British Army-issue SA-80s, gifted by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The change of command will take place at Warwick Camp on Saturday starting at 4.30 pm.
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Unfortunately, the Royal Bermuda Regiment Band is now a shell of its former self.
Sad!
Rockfish,
Could not agree with you more.
Having spent 20+ years in the regiment, I have seen it go from a robust, well commanded battallion in the late 90′s to a version of the civil service!