From draft-dodging wall-sitter to dedicated soldier, the Bermuda Regiment is holding up Ajahni Bascome as an example of what can be achieved from the call-up.

And now he has earned the honour of being promoted in the field after distinguishing himself in a tour of duty in Grenada.

Certainly Lt/Cpl. Bascome was a slow starter after going AWOL five weeks after his January, 2003 call-up and returning to his life of wall-sitting in his Ord Road, Warwick neighbourhood.

Regimental Police police caught up with him and he was sentenced to an extra month at Warwick Camp.

At the end of his first year, Pte. Bascome was transferred to Support Company, where he joined the Guns Assault Pioneers (GAP) Platoon and learned the learns combat engineering as well as the ceremonial procedure for firing gun salutes.

Regiment Press Officer Wayne Smith said Pte. Bascome?s superior officers observed his improved performance. When Lt. Col. Edward Lamb decided to take the Regiment to Grenada to help the hurricane ravaged country Pte. Bascome volunteered for double duty and did four weeks.

Capt. Smith said: ?The first contingent encountered challenge after challenge and problem after problem.

?However, the men worked very well and made excellent progress but one soldier stood out ? Pte. Ajahni Bascome.

?One soldier was there motivating the others to keep on working, striving and achieving. That soldier was Pte. Bascome.?

He said Pte. Bascome continued demonstrating leadership skills at the Royal Grenada Police Force Special Services Unit Compound at Point Salines, St. George?s, Grenada, where he kept his section on time, properly dressed and motivated.

?Additionally Pte. Bascome volunteered to stay behind to help power wash the walls of the St. David?s School, after everyone else had left the site.?

Pte. Bascome performed so well, that every single superior officer involved in Exercise Spice Relief agreed he should receive a field promotion to the rank of Lance Corporal.

L/Cpl. Bascome was promoted during the second week of his four-week tour of duty in Grenada where he was a role model throughout.

Sgt. Maj. Malcolm John Philpott, a British Army instructor attached to the Bermuda Regiment, said: ?He has proved himself worthy of his take by the amount of effort and commitment he has put in.

?Pte. Bascome and Pte. David Signor have basically laid the roof of the St. David?s Roman Catholic School by themselves and without their skill and knowledge we wouldn?t be anywhere near the stage we are with this roof.

?Both of them have done excellent work, but Pte. Bascome, now L/Cpl. Bascome put in that little bit of extra work, that command and control, and therefore was promoted in the field and I feel that he is more than worthy of it.?

When questioned about his promotion, L/Cpl. Bascome said: ?I was a long term absentee but decided to make the most of my time in the Regiment.

?I enjoy the trips to different places. I have been to London, Cayman and now Grenada with the Bermuda Regiment.

?My superiors were watching me but I had no idea that this would happen and one day they told me that I was being promoted in the field.?

Lt. Col. Lamb said: ?L/Cpl. Bascome?s story is a testament to the positive changes that the Bermuda Regiment can effect in the lives of our young men, and the fact that we can benefit our country by reforming and developing one man at a time.

?L/Cpl. Bascome has chosen to take advantage of the many opportunities and has transformed himself from a consumer in our society to a server of our community. I am pleased and proud of this young man.?

After being a reluctant recruit L/Cpl. Bascome is now considering lingering a little longer.

?My advice to young people who try to avoid military service is to come in, do your time and get it over with. I came in and I am getting it over with, but I am liking it so I might stay on.?