The Bermuda Regiment’s “golden generation” finished a tough two weeks in Recruit Camp at the weekend.

Friends and families applauded as the 50th anniversary recruits showed off some of the skills they have learned during their basic training.

Regiment Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Michael Foster-Brown said Regiment service embodied “duty and sacrifice,” noting the work of soldiers’ hurricane cleanup efforts and praising the hard work of the recruits.

“The men and women on parade today are now part of that proud tradition that dates back to 1965, in our current guise, and has seen soldiers embodied at least once every three years, in addition to the routine support we provide to the Bermuda Police Service and other Government departments,” he said.

The award for top recruit was given to Private LeeAnn Tucker, a 23-year-old bartender and nanny who volunteered for the Regiment.

Pte Tucker said she was shocked to be given the award, adding: “I thought I did a good job, but I was amazed – really happy.”

She said that moving forward, she was considering her options within the service, including the medics, physical training or training as a junior NCO.

The award for top platoon was given to 9 platoon. Sgt Peter-Paul Taylor, who scored the award for top platoon for two years running, said: “It’s awesome. The best feeling is that you can have a personal effect on a platoon so they can pull the best out of themselves.”

Governor George Fergusson, the Commander-in-Chief of the Regiment, said he was very impressed by the soldiers’ performance, noting the “sharp increase” in the number of volunteers.

The new recruits will be involved in Regiment’s 50th anniversary celebrations throughout the year, along with the Peppercorn Ceremony in April, the Trooping of the Colour Parade in June, an international military tattoo between October 22-24, and they will also feature in the annual Remembrance Day commemorations in November.