18 Soldiers Start Regiment Recruit Camp
Introductions to marching, field exercises and safe weapon handling are on the agenda for a group of new soldiers who took their places among Royal Bermuda Regiment ranks for the first time this week.
Two women and 16 men embarked on the two-week foundational training course, which started on Sunday.
2nd Lieutenant Daniel Wideman, who is Platoon Commander for the recruit camp, said the package serves as an introduction to the life of a soldier.
He added: “We’re aiming to teach them how to perform drills well – drills in marching, drills with their weapon handling – and deliver introductions to shooting and marksmanship principles. We’ll cover fieldcraft, which includes how to set up a harbour and how to take care of yourself in the field.
“It’s a pretty intense two weeks where you don’t get a lot of sleep or free time and much is asked of the recruits. The learning curve is steep but the whole thing introduces them to what military life is all about.”
2nd Lt Wideman said: “I’m hoping to grow a group of people who will want to invest in the military.
“It’s not just getting them to do two weeks, it’s getting them excited to be part of the Regiment, part of something that’s bigger than themselves.
“Of course, it’s a way to give back to the community.”
Private Malachi Hayward, who is among the new recruits, was inspired by his father, grandfather and great-grandfather who all served in the military before him.
The 18-year-old, from Devonshire, said: “It was the way they carried themselves, outside and in, that influenced me to join and follow in their footsteps.
“I thought it would be a good place for me to learn and grow as a person.”
As the new soldiers make Warwick Camp their temporary home, Pte Hayward was surprised by “how fun it is with the people in my barrack room, how fun it is to get along with all of them, they’re cool people”.
Private Daylen Francis, from Warwick, signed up to build confidence and increase his fitness.
“It’s better than I expected,” the 18-year-old said. “I expected ration packs and things like that but we’re getting full meals.”
He added: “It’s very enjoyable. I’ve been able to meet new people and I’m learning a lot.”
Private Eli Furbert, 18, from Devonshire, already had a taste of military life thanks to his participation in the RBR’s Junior Leaders programme.
He said: “I’ve done it all before. I’m not perfect at it but I’m used to doing drill, specifically, and I’m sure the weapons training will come back to me.”
Pte Furbert, a sailing instructor with Endeavour, enjoyed his camp on Paget Island as a Junior Leader and looks forward to fieldcraft exercises in the days ahead.
Eighteen! That is a long way from closer to one hundred and eighty that it once was. What is the current strength, what is the drop out rate and what is the rate of those leaving the Regiment?
It looks like the volunteer Regiment is not working. We sure don’t need a Regiment the size it used to be but it does need to be large enough for ceremonial duties at the very least.
Is it time to go back to required service? This time required service for all, male and female 18-25. Exceptions for those in university.
At 18 you register and make your preferences known for which services you would like to do your community service with. Police Reserves, Fire Dept, Seniors homes, other social services. that sort of thing. If you do not choose or others have taken the spaces before you, one will be assigned for you.
The Regiment will probably be least preferred so the Regiment will get the left overs or those rejected from other services for whatever reasons, such as drug test failures.
The next major hurricane will be the test of the RBR. We will learn then whether it is of sufficient strength to assist in a disaster.
I am not anticipating going to war or major civil unrest anytime soon.
I did my three years in the regiment and attained te rank of corporal.
I find that the country is short of volunteers.
To be blunt when they discontinued conctription I knew that the system would fall apart with a long list of excuses.
Was it that is it the army is too tough .
You think the army will break you ,not so , the army will make you in to a better man
Don’t like the idea of dicsciplin, it is not that tough .
Don’t like standing out in the rain. You get wet on a bike
Scared to loose your beauty sleep!
Scared you are going to die, you can do that on a bike.
Did not make it in school ? Here is your chance.
The Army will give you respect and show you how to give respect.
The army makes men out of boys
Time to bring back over due conscription for the young men
Time has come to man up, don’t be a deserter.
Our females if interested can still stay as voluntreers