Lt.Col. Brian Gonsalves - CO The Bermuda Regiment

We are the surge the Government will call upon in times of need; we are the organization the country can rely on to get things done!  We all know that for an insurance policy to exist, a premium needs to be paid. The "premium" needed for your Bermuda Regiment policy to respond, whenever called upon, is its people, its soldiers. We therefore look to the people of Bermuda to encourage and ensure that those family members, friends, colleagues & employees, who are drafted to serve their country, attend Warwick Camp and fulfill their required military duty.  Without them, the premium goes unpaid and the policy is null & void!

            I would take a moment today to clear up some myths or misconceptions about the Regiment - and there are two specific areas of clarification that I would like to share with you.  The first is our compensation and bonus scheme.  Yes indeed, part-time soldiers (whether conscripted or volunteer) DO get paid!  This seems to be a little-known fact but clearly it is an added incentive that we would be remiss in not marketing more readily within the scope of the recruitment initiatives I highlighted earlier!  A Pte soldier could receive up to $5,000 during his first year.  This is broken down as follows:  Recruit Camp (2 weeks) $1,900; Drills (66 drills) $2,090; Bounty Qualifications (CFT,PFT, APWT) $600 ($200 each); Completion of 80% of all drills $200; Completion of 15 Day camp $200  (This is an Annual Salary equivalent of $47,000)

            The second area for clarification involves, not surprisingly, TRAINING.  I've touched upon the extent of overseas travel/experience that is available through the Bermuda Regiment, but the vast extent of technical trade skills development and training that we provide to soldiers seems not to be as well-known a fact as we'd like.  So let me shed some light.  In addition to receiving traditional military training in Conventional Tactics, Internal Security and Ceremonial Parades, a Bermuda Regiment soldier will also receive training in the following:  Chainsaw safe handling and operation, EMO (tarpaulin, shoring up of Buildings), Maritime (maintenance, search & rescue, port security), Motor Transport (Driver Training, mechanical and general maintenance), First Aid (including CPR, ECAT (Emergency Care and Treatment in Disasters) conducted either locally or in Jamaica up to EMT), Culinary, Waitering, Policing Duties, Leadership Development , Management Skills,  Time Management, Self Discipline, Motivational Skills, Team Work.              Officer Training is provided locally with periodic overseas instructors running certain parts of the course, and culminates with the officer cadet's attendance at The Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, UK. This is England's equivalent to "West Point", with all British Army Officers (and many foreign) required to attend this commissioning course.             The Regiment conducts its annual overseas Training Camp in either Jamaica (Jamaica Defense Force (JDF) or in the United States (North Carolina - CampLejeune, the largest USMC Facility on the eastern Seaboard of the United States). We have enjoyed solid relationships with both forces for decades and plan to continue.  The philosophy for all overseas camps is "to do everything we cannot do in Bermuda", and thus these annual intensive training opportunities are invaluable.

            Let no one ignore the fact that the Bermuda Regiment has produced for our country, better Bermudians who are diversely skilled, focused, and disciplined. After their service is completed, our soldiers go on to serve Bermuda in every sector, every corner of society. There is not one local or international employer, church group, government department, sporting association that does not have either a currently serving member or a former member of the Regiment.  No other Bermuda organization can come close to that magnificent accomplishment which has been sustainable since the formation of the Regiment in 1965!  In order for this truly integrated and necessary institution to continue to strengthen, we need Bermuda's collective support and encouragement of our soldiers and of our Regiment.