There were plenty of scowls, meek smiles and terror written all over the faces of the arriving Bermuda Regiment recruits yesterday, as the annual 15-day camp began under grey skies and intermittent rain.

Fathers, mothers and older siblings thronged outside the gates watching the new conscripts and volunteers endure a volley of abuse from several non- commissioned officers posted at the front gate.

At exactly 8.00 a.m. they were hustled through the gate and across the parade square for a roll call.

Then they were split into three platoons with sections of 12 men each.

In the middle of the square, their hair was inspected before they were whisked away to their barrack rooms.

Those whose hair did not pass the inspection had a date with the Regimental barber in the motor transport shed before they were allowed to join their platoons.

Sixteen latecomers were marched up to the jailhouse in double quick time under the watchful eye of a Regimental police officer.

Unlike previous camps, all 155 of this year's recruits were allowed to wear the camouflage uniforms instead of the trademark army green shirt and pants that distinguished a recruit from a second or third soldier.

Inside the barrack rooms, corporals lectured the recruits on the proper way to wear their uniforms, green belts and berets before they were given a tour of the camp and a welcoming address from commanding officer Lt. Col. David Burch.

During their first week, they will learn the characteristics and safety handling procedures of the mini-ruger rifle, basic field craft, marching drills, Regimental history and organisation.

Rifle lessons will last between 20 and 40 minutes each and will be interspersed with drill periods.

Each day will begin at 6 a.m. with a period of physical training followed by breakfast, with lights out at 11.00 p.m.

"There's a lot to cover in these 15 days,'' Training company second-in-command Captain Brian Gonsalves told The Royal Gazette . "But we have two Jamaican and two British sergeants who will assist the corporals with all aspects of the recruit's rifle lessons.'' Major Edward Tucker, who is in charge of the recruits training, said he was happy with the new recruits.

"This is a good start,'' he said. "They appear to be in good spirits. We have Bermudians here from all walks of life, but by the end of this 15-day camp we will mould them into a group that will work as a team.

"This phase of their training is important because we want them to understand the contribution they are making but more than that we want them to have a sense that they are serving their Country.

"That is vital, but we want them to have fun too. Regiment service is a duty but it can also be enjoyable.''