Legislation to end conscription will be brought to the House of Assembly during its next session, according to Premier Michael Dunkley.

Speaking in the House yesterday, Mr Dunkley said that while the transition will take more than “a stroke of a pen”, a considerable amount of planning to halt the practice of conscription has been done over the past two months.

“The move to an all-volunteer force will not be without its challenges and the means by which the Government proposes to mitigate those challenges is through a phased end to conscription working towards the last ballot for recruits in 2015 for 2016’s Recruit Camp and a completion of service for those soldiers in 2019,” Mr Dunkley said.

“Achieving the number of volunteers required to maintain ‘fitness for role’ capability will take some investment in enlistment and retention, as well as in advertising and recruiting.”

Mr Dunkley noted that other countries offer soldiers incentives to sign up, telling the House that Government intends to provide funding for similar incentives such as a joining bonus.

“We will also aim to provide the resources for a dedicated member of staff to handle the full ambit of recruitment of volunteers,” Mr Dunkley said. “A significant part of this role will be to develop a system of enhanced benefits for soldiers in volunteer service to including expanding the current discounts for local goods, wider employability and incentives for recruiters themselves. These and other proposals will continue to be developed.

“The fulfillment of our principled pledge to eliminate conscription must be tempered by the realities of life in modern Bermuda. The demographics of our Island indicate that the pool of individuals from which we would ideally seek to draw volunteers in this context is small. In spite of this economy there is still competition for reliable, keen employees.

“I have stated on numerous occasions and I will reiterate the position again: This Government will not eliminate conscription in a manner that leaves the Regiment unable to fulfil their mission.”

Mr Dunkley said legislation will also be put forward to update the Defense Act to allow those charged with a military offence the right to elect a trial in a court of summary jurisdiction instead of a hearing with the Commanding Officer, remove “confusing and gender-biased” terminology and regularise fines and punishments.

“These changes provide a modernised disciplinary process and an important legislative platform for an eventual all volunteer Regiment,” Mr Dunkley said.

The Premier also reiterated the potential expansion of the Bermuda Regiment’s role in patrolling the inshore maritime area.

“During this season of increased boating and water-related activity, the people of Bermuda will see The Regiment hard at work alongside the Bermuda Police Service providing support in this maritime role,” Mr Dunkley said.

“This practical engagement will provide the support for a fuller, written Brief that I expect to receive from the Commanding Officer on how we can make the assumption of the inshore maritime role by the Regiment a working reality.”