Bermuda Regiment soldiers undergoing gritty "real life" training in North Carolina have been paid a visit by their Commander-in-Chief, Governor Sir Richard Gozney.

The 157-strong contingent is visiting the US Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune for their annual overseas camp where they have been participating in weapons training and drills.

According to a statement from the Regiment: "The Medics were especially pleased with the opportunity to go through a highly realistic combat casualty simulator, which trains Marine Corps medics to react quickly and effectively under heavy stress.

"The Corps goes to great lengths to provide true-to-life training aids – mannequins that breathe, sweat, bleed and even talk to the medic as they treat wounds, and former serving Marines who have lost limbs in combat offer themselves up as 'casualties,' where a little fake blood and make-up will give a graphic impression of a real injury.

The Regimental Police personnel have been working with the extremely professional and knowledgeable staff of the Marine Corps Brig, learning skills that will be of great value as they carry out their duties back at home. They are helping to man the full-time custody facility, learning techniques for dealing with prisoners, and taking part in ride-along patrols with the Marine MPs. "

Sir Richard was accompanied on his visit by the Assistant Military Attache from the British Army, Col Neil Fairclough. Both expressed their well wishes to the troops as they observed the variety of training taking place in the first few days of the camp, which concludes on April 30. The soldiers will return to Bermuda on May 2 after a rest break in Jacksonville.