11 September 2014

Dear Sir,

This is a letter to the Premier/Minister of National Security M Dunkley and Bermuda Regiment CO, Lieutenant Colonel Foster-Brown.

I have listened to numerous interviews and read many articles focused on either ending conscription or trying to persuade young people to consider volunteering in the Bermuda Regiment. My brother, Paolo Odoli, has served in the Regiment since he was in his early 20s and stood with our Premier last week to be recognised for his further training in Kenya for the months of September-October. He has truly enjoyed his time of service and would happily make a career of the Regiment if an opportunity presented.

But as you know, he is in a minority and the numbers of volunteers are nowhere near the levels required to sustain the Regiment. I wonder how many other young people would be willing to volunteer if they were offered certain benefits, similar to what is currently offered in other countries. When I look on the Regiment’s website, I only see two benefits listed: (1) ability to specialise and gain knowledge in various areas and (2) ability to apply for a full-time position (if and when available).

As we have seen, neither of those benefits are of enough appeal to garner significant support. To be competitive, people need to see real, definable benefits. Besides the $150/day currently received, has the government considered offering one-time bonuses for specialised training, college education grants, discounts on health and life insurance (if not insured elsewhere), career assistance/employer partnerships and low interest mortgages — these are all benefits offered to individuals who serve in the US Army Reserves and these are further expanded for those who serve full time in the US Army. I do realise that our country’s budget is limited but with the Government’s assistance, many of these initiatives could be organised in conjunction with the hotel and international business community, local health insurance companies and the banking industry. With benefits like these, I believe a volunteer Regiment may no longer just be a pipe-dream.

VICTORIA WILLIAMS