Bermuda Regiment soldiers this week began a two week training camp in North Carolina’s Camp Lejeune.

According to a spokesman, some of the soldiers have practised patrol and section attack techniques while others tested their rifle skills on the firing range.

Lance Corporal Philip Woolridge of the Operational Support Unit (OSU), the Regiment’s public order specialists, said: “I’m really looking forward to living in the field and I like the long ranges because it takes real skill.

“It takes discipline, effort and patience. It’s about dedication and these are all things you can apply to anything — your job, your marriage, whatever.”

Meanwhile, OSU commander Lieutenant Paulo Odoli, the manager of the Tempest restaurant, said: “Achieving a level of mastery at shooting gives the individual a sense of satisfaction and increases their pride in themselves. Everybody in this unit wants to be here and they respond accordingly.”

Around 180 soldiers arrived at Camp Lejeune on Sunday evening — and got straight into training at dawn the next day.