New recruits to the Bermuda Regiment took their first steps down the road to becoming trained soldiers yesterday ? with some given a shove in the right direction by the Regimental Police. Some of the keener young soldiers-to-be turned up at Warwick Camp in pristine uniforms, with their boots shining and proud grins on their faces well before 8 a.m. However a handful turned up late and were bawled-out at the entrance gate by the RPs before being unceremoniously bundled up the drive and into the guardroom for a dressing down.

Of the 185 recruits expected, 30 had still failed to show up by lunchtime yesterday, prompting a warning to be sent out to those absent without leave.

?The Regimental Police will take appropriate action to help them on their way to camp. We would implore anyone who has not turned up that it is in their best interests to do so,? said Captain Arnold Todd.

The two-week boot camp, which runs until January 22, is the opening to what will be at least three years and two months spent in the Regiment for the new soldiers.

It will see them taught how to march and handle their weapons as well as schooled in the structure and history of the Regiment and put through physical fitness training.

In what was clearly a shock to the system for many of the recruits ? some of whom had not even managed to tie their bootlaces up before they hit the parade ground ? there was no warm welcome to military life.

?It?s not a Sunday stroll? yelled one RP at a shuffling recruit, while another admonished: ?I don?t want to see a slow speed! Run or you?ll waste your time.?

Regimental Sergeant Major Errol McKenzie watched as the conscripts came onto camp, observing loudly of one recalcitrant individual: ?It?s probably the first time he?s been given instruction.?

Dozens of friends and family members gathered at the entrance gates to support their loved ones, clapping and cheering the latecomers in.

Lisa James from Pembroke was confident that her son Calshunto, 18, would adapt well to life in the Regiment.

?This is an overwhelming experience for me and I am extremely proud of him. He?s been in the cadets for the last two and a half years so this is a step up for him,? she said.

?I think that conscription is a good thing for these young men. It?s character-building and gives them a sense of responsibility and discipline.?

Anabela Ferreira from Southampton watched as her son Armindo lined up on the parade ground.

?I?m a little nervous and he is too, but I hope he will be OK. This will be a good thing for him,? she said.

Meanwhile Erron Robinson, who was watching his girlfriend?s cousin Eugeno Smith, revealed that he had been able to pass on some advice gleaned from his own three years in the Regiment.

?I told him to get all his stuff done early ? to get his boots polished and his cap badge done before he got to camp. It?s much easier if you are prepared as you want some free time,? said Mr. Robinson, 27, from Sandys.

?When you turn up to boot camp you just don?t know what?s to come, and I have heard guys say that it was the worst time of their life but I can think of worse things. I had an alright time ? you just have to do what you?ve got to do and then get out.?

Captain Todd said that the slogan for this year?s camp was Service For Success.

?We are converting these civilians into soldiers which is a valuable and important process. They will learn to be successful leaders in this battalion and hopefully beyond,? he added.