Regiment to hold island-wide training exercise

More than 300 Bermuda Regiment soldiers will deploy around the Island this weekend in a massive training exercise.

And troops – some for the first time – will go on patrol in and around Dockyard to test their public order skills in a realistic urban environment.

Sgt Maj Fred Oldenburg, of the Regiment’s Training Wing, said: “It provides excellent training for our soldiers and we are doing this with the full support and cooperation of the West End Development Corporation, which runs Dockyard.  They have continually been supportive of us when we use part of their establishment for training.  We are quite limited now as to where we can train; Dockyard is one of the few remaining places we can go.”

The training weekend follows the successful Recruit Camp held at the start of the year – and will provide new soldiers with the chance to build on their basic training, as well as allow more seasoned troops to brush up on their skills and acquire new ones.

Sgt Maj Oldenburg said: “It’s an important event because usually we only have one night a week to train. When we get them all in on a weekend like this, we have a captive audience, and training becomes ingrained.

“Of equal importance to the training phase is the transition to a testing phase.  At the end of the exercise period we will evaluate them on what they have learned in as realistic conditions as possible - we call is closing the residual training gap.”

The training weekend, for many of the troops, is also the start of the build-up to the annual overseas camp, to be held at the US Marine Corps base at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

The weekend training involves every branch of the Regiment and medics, signallers, motor transport specialists, and even the Band and Corps of Drums.  The Boat Troop will continue to work on a variety of maritime skills, and will be testing their crew on dusk and night navigation.

Regiment CO Lieutenant Colonel Brian Gonsalves said, “The Regiment has a variety of roles, from hurricane and disaster relief to ceremonial duties, as well as a public order obligation.

“We train rigorously for the worst to help make sure the worst never happens.

“We continually follow international best practice, and it pays dividends.  If and when we get requested to assist other islands or locally, we know that our methods are the best that can be provided. ”

He added: “Every Company in the Regiment is running with their own training – we try and get everyone in together. Instead of double booking, we can sweep it all up at once, which is more efficient and cost-effective.”

The Regiment Band and Corps of Drums will be involved in an equally demanding training period.  The musicians will be practicing their skills for 18 music sessions. Their music practice will be broken up by other duties, like equality and diversity training, first aid, and search techniques. 

Sergeant Major James Van-Lowe, the Band’s Warrant Officer who is in charge of administration said, “It will be a very full weekend.  The spring and summer period is fast approaching and that is a demanding time for us – private and public events, especially parades and the Beating of the Retreats mean that we need to be ready to perform for locals and visitors.

“At the end of the summer we enter the hurricane period which is the most likely period for the Regiment to be embodied.  If this happens it is the Band’s responsibility to maintain security of Warwick Camp.  The variety of being in the Band is rewarding – we transition easily from our smart white jackets performing at Government House into combats in order to protect a key point or establishment. “

The Regiment’s Training Officer, Major Martin Wyer said, that despite a gruelling training schedule, the weekend will not be all work and no play.

He added: “At the end of the day’s activities, there is a social aspect to it as well. That helps people to get to know each other out of work, which helps them work together better when they are on duty.  Part of military life is getting to know your follow soldiers beyond that of a colleague.  Trust between the soldiers doesn’t just happen; it has to be nurtured, in all aspects of service life.”

Regiment Adjutant Major Beasley said that anyone in the area should be aware there will be live firing at the Warwick Camp range over the weekend, while troops training on South Shore beaches will be using blank ammunition.

The training area between Horseshoe Beach and Warwick Long Bay, although not closed to the public, will be signposted and sentries will be on duty.

Maj. Beasley said: “There will be no danger to the public, but people using that area need to be aware that they can expect to hear a few bangs.”

The training exercise will run from Friday night to Sunday afternoon and there will be live firing at Warwick Camp between 7.30pm and 10pm on Friday, while blank ammunition will be used on South Shore between 8.30am and 4pm on Saturday.

The Bermuda Regiment is looking for volunteers for a variety of roles. A Regiment career offers recruits opportunities to travel, acquire skills useful in civilian life, test themselves to their limits and competitive rates of pay. For more information, call 238-1045 or visit www.bermudaregiment.bm .