Michael Dunkley told this year’s recruits for the Royal Bermuda Regiment that he felt proud to be Bermudian after meeting with its first all-volunteer trainees.

“Stay safe, don’t injure yourselves and have fun,” the Minister of National Security advised the 66 recruits on their second day of training at Warwick Camp. It was the Premier’s fourth time coming to recruit camp, but this one represented a historic change for the force.

“I’m delighted to be here with these volunteers for the first camp where conscription has not been used, and I’m proud to see them working through a very different process in this changing system.”

Numbers are smaller because there is a higher rate of retention for the Regiment — testament to efforts to make a career in the Regiment more attractive to men and women.

Mr Dunkley was accompanied by Ginny Ferson, the Deputy Governor, and Jeff Baron, the Junior Minister of National Security.

“The atmosphere here is both identical to every other camp and yet significantly different in one aspect,” Senator Baron said.

“There is yelling, there is drilling, there’s fatigue and nervous energy in the air, but the men and women who are experiencing all these things are here voluntarily and proudly.

“This is a huge step. But again, we have to continue to work extremely hard with national security stakeholders and the community so that this beautiful thing is sustainable.”

Among the volunteers was 51-year-old Ian Blakesley, who said he counted himself fortunate to live in Bermuda and joined to give back to his community.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge and the skills I can learn,” Mr Blakesley said, adding: “I may regret it in about a week’s time.”

Lieutenant-Colonel Michael Foster-Brown, the Regiment’s Commanding Officer, said there was great positivity and enthusiasm in the air. “I’ve always been impressed at how much they achieve in two weeks,” he said, noting that as well as being the first all-volunteer camp, the recruits were also the first to drill with the Regiment’s new weapons.

This year’s recruit breakdown consists of 50 men and 16 women. Of the 66 recruits, six were Junior Leaders and 13 conscripted persons chose to join as volunteers.

Thanking them on behalf of the Bermuda Government, Mr Dunkley said he looked forward to seeing the recruits again at the passing out parade in the next couple of weeks.