It was early, and some were more enthusiastic than others, but yesterday's Regiment Recruit Camp marked a new chapter in the lives of 161 soldiers-to-be.

The group of 156 men and five women will spend the next two weeks learning skills including drill, weapons handling and live firing.

The camp, which features gruelling 18-hour days, will lay the groundwork for their three years and two months of part-time service.

Media liaison officer Captain Kenji Bean said last night: "It's been so far so good. They're getting used to running around but it looks like they're enjoying drills so far and I heard the lessons are going alright."

The usual contingent of family members and friends were present at the gates of Warwick Camp to wish their loved ones well, and watch as the Regimental Police greeted latecomers with yells of "pick your feet up" and "run, run run!"

Gregory Cann Sr. waved off his son Gregory Jr., 19, in plenty of time for the 8 a.m. start.

"He woke up with a good attitude. I'm really proud of him and the way he prepared himself, getting himself ready without me getting on his case," said Mr. Cann, 50, from Warwick.

"He was prepared for it and looking forward to it. I did three years in the Regiment about 30-something years ago. At the time it was tough but these days it's better."

Benjamin Smith, 41, from Smith's, was seeing off his son D-Andru Smith, 19.

"He's excited. He initially volunteered, then as fate would have it he was called up. It's a double whammy," he explained.

Amury Symonds, 18, from Warwick, said around ten of his friends were joining as conscripts, and were angry at first to be called up. "I'll probably have to do it sooner or later. I came down to give support to them," he told The Royal Gazette.

Bermudian males aged 18 to 33 are liable for conscription through a random ballot administered by the Defence Department.

Exemptions apply for reasons including alternative service with the Police, Fire and St. John Ambulance services, and conscientious objection. Campaigners from Bermudians Against the Draft plan to take their fight against the policy to the Privy Council in London, having been defeated in the local courts.

Among their objections are claims that scant effort is made to recruit volunteers, and young men should not be forced to serve. No figures were available yesterday on how many turned up to Warwick Camp through choice, with Capt. Bean explaining: "Once we get the names we don't know whether they're conscripts or volunteers. Once they come in, they're considered soldiers."

Regiment Commander William White has previously commented that it cannot fulfill its roles, which include hurricane relief, ceremonial duties and maintaining public safety, through volunteers alone.