More than 150 recruits began their Regiment training yesterday as Warwick Camp opened its gates for the 44th annual Bermuda Regiment recruit camp.

Family members and onlookers watched from outside the gates under umbrellas as the recruits, most in uniform, were lead into the camp to be divided into four platoons.

While the Regimental Police aggressively guided in latecomers, there was no pushing this year, only yelling and pointing. "It's less of a spectacle than in past years," said the Officer Commanding (OC) of Training Company, Major Chris Wheddon. "At the end of the day, we're all Bermudians. We should treat everyone with respect."

While the entry into Recruit Camp was slightly friendlier than in the past, Maj. Wheddon said that the course itself will be just as intense.

"What we do in two weeks, they do in 16 weeks in Jamaica," he said. "The entire programme is quite intense.

"We hope that the results will speak for themselves on January 23 at the open house and drill competition."

While he said some of the recruits may look toward recruit camp with a sense of dread, Maj. Wheddon believes that the experience can be a rewarding one.

"As much as I say they'll look back on it fondly, they never believe me," he said. "But after they've finished everything, they will look back and see that it really wasn't that big a deal."

Captain David Madieros agreed, saying: "I believe that you always get out of something what you put into it."

Capt. Madieros said the camp was an opportunity for people from all walks of life to come together.

"It's a truly broad demonstration of the Bermuda community," he said. "A few years ago we had one recruit with a double doctorate, and another who couldn't read.

"There are individuals who come here in gangs or people who just don't see eye to eye in the civilian world.

"They all have to put it behind them for two weeks, and hopefully for the rest of their lives."

Maj. Wheddon said this year's recruit camp will last only 13 days, ending on Saturday evening rather than Sunday morning as in past years.

During those 13 days, the recruits will be trained in drill, firearms and survival skills.

"They'll also improve their physical fitness, which is good, especially after the festive season," said Maj. Wheddon.

He also advised the public to avoid the South Shore area near the camp for the next two weeks because a number of firearms exercises are scheduled.

"We have sentries up, but inevitably people try to go through them. Yesterday we had kayakers rowing past the range," he said.

"These rounds can go as far as three kilometres, so people really should be avoiding the area."