tribunal set up to examine objections to Army life.

Lt. Col. David Burch said the tribunal which exempted Rastafarians from service in the Regiment slipped up.

And he warned the military faced a flood of copycat applications after two Rastas were exempted and another two had their service deferred.

Lt. Col. Burch told a meeting of the Hamilton Rotary Club: "The reality in my opinion, is that the Exemption Tribunal got it wrong.

"Their recent decision regarding Rastafarians/conscientous objectors has opened a Pandora's box.'' He revealed: "We have already seen an increase in the number of applications but we expect the flood gates to have completely opened during the annual call-up process.'' And Lt. Col. Burch added: "We cannot cater to every fringe religion or cult that springs up in these times.

"Decisive and emergency action is required now. Our assessment of the general feeling in the community is that we must continue to require our young people to serve.'' Lt. Col. Burch warned that any legislation to address the loophole in the conscription laws risked damaging the future of the Regiment by providing a variety of community service options.

But he added: "All indications are that many who have succeeded in gaining exemptions from military service do not wish to have it replaced by any alternative service. Surely this cannot be right.'' And in a flanking attack on the House of Assembly, he challenged "those charged with correcting this'' to show "intestinal fortitude'' in ensuring people do not escape the responsibility of serving their Country in some capacity.

Lt. Col. Burch added: "We must as a community expeditiously correct this wrong. We have raised the spectre of copycat applications. So far these alarm bells are not being heard where they need to be.'' He said that he was "amazed'' at the lengths to which some people would go to avoid serving their Country.

And -- in a swipe at pacifist lawyer Rod Attride-Stirling -- he said: "The amount of money spent in legal fees, to one particular lawyer in particular, must come close to a king's ransom.

"It is very easy to sit in one's palatial office and decry this Bermudian institution and denigrate the service of the 4,828 Bermudians who have served since 1965 and the 644 who presently serve.'' And Lt. Col. Burch, who retires as C.O. later this year, launched an offensive to expand the role of the Regiment rather than allowing it to wither away amid a welter of exemptions from service.

He said: "We believe the role of the Regiment can be expanded and this must be explored within the context of the current economic climate and limited financial resources.

"The decision regarding any expanded role for the Regiment rests with the political leadership of Bermuda.'' Lt. Col Burch told Rotarians proposals to increase the Regiment's responsibilities had already been submitted to Government.

He declined to discuss the options, although he said they were related to the withdrawal of the foreign bases from the Island.

It is understood, however, that suggestions include Bermuda filling the gaps in the marine environment after US Navy withdrawal and full-time security for the Base lands.

It is believed that Regiment policy makers see a full-time role for the Regiment as a way of providing self-respect and employment for the less-well educated members of society.

Lt. Col. Burch said the Regiment made a major contribution to Island life, not least in treating the various strands of Bermuda society in a uniform way.