A & B Companies Refresh Core Skills In Training
Troops from two companies of the Royal Bermuda Regiment joined forces over the weekend as they took on urban patrol training and weapons handling assessments.
A spokesperson said, “Last week marked a return to scheduled drills after a summer stand-down for most soldiers and the camp from Friday to Sunday was an opportunity to refine skills.”
Lieutenant Samuel Hewitt, A Company’s Second-in-Command, explained: “The weekend was a joint effort between A and B Companies and we started by going back to low level, basic training with a focus on urban operations, patrolling and our mandatory weapons handling tests, which keeps us operationally intact.”
“We wanted to develop the synergy between the companies. Although we have had two separate directives for each of the companies, we’re looking to work together more so that we are all on the same level, particularly when it comes to the basics such as public order and key point security.”
“It is often said that the battalion is Bermuda’s insurance and by having these fundamental capabilities we are anchoring our ability to react to different incidents.”
Noting the comradery between troops, Lt Hewitt, from Sandys, who is Head of Operations for cash and cheques at HSBC in his civilian life, added: “What I like to see is a smile on the faces of our members.”
“One of the main things we did during the weekend to solidify the collaborative working was battle PT. Getting out first thing in the morning, dusting off the cobwebs, working together, doing a beach run – something as simple as that brings everybody together.”
The spokesperson said, “Training also covered responses to patrolling in an urban environment, night patrols and vehicle checkpoints.
Private Cierra Holdipp, 36, a B Company soldier from Devonshire, enjoyed the opportunity to work with others.
She said: “We became a unit, a team as one; we’re not just made up of different companies, we are a whole. People are gaining insight into other companies, having fun and enjoying themselves. It’s nice meeting new people.”
Private Yeshai Burgess, an actuarial science student at the Bermuda College, welcomed the return to training.
“It’s easy to make friends here,” he said. “Everybody is very similarly minded, everybody has visions to achieve the same goals, so it’s nice to find that camaraderie in between the times when we’re working.”
The 18-year-old from Devonshire, who completed an RBR recruit camp in February, says his military experiences have helped him become more disciplined.
“It’s another reason why I joined the Regiment,” he said. “I could be quite disorganised in my personal life and I’m trying to get that back on track. The Regiment has definitely helped with that.”
Private Tyzhae DeSilva, 19, from Somerset, spent time over the summer working with the RBR Coast Guard and hopes to join the unit on a more permanent basis.
He added: “It feels great to be back with the team, wearing the uniform again, and getting hands- on experience with the equipment as we sharpen our skills.”
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