In light of recent violence, the Commandant of the Bermuda Cadet Corps has offered a positive solution to keep the Island's young people out of trouble — involve them in the Bermuda Cadet Corps.

"I believe it is important to the community at large to look at the future relevance of the Bermuda Cadet Corps and how this programme can effectively enhance the lives of our youth; especially considering the present social, economic and spiritual state of our country," said Major Henry Campbell.

Referring to the murder of 18-year-old Kellon Hill last Saturday night, which has since led to the arrests of seven young people, Major Campbell said more must be done to bring young people into positive environments and pursuits.

"The tragedy of this last weekend is a clear indication that we need to recover our youth from the negative violent and destructive influences that some of them have succumbed to," he said.

"It is not enough to say there are positive alternatives without making the opportunities as appealing as possible and as easily available as we can to our young people."

Major Campbell, who started volunteering with the Bermuda Regiment in 1982 and joined as a full-time staff member three years later, spoke to the Hamilton Rotary Club yesterday about the benefits of the Cadet programme.

"Discipline, team building, problem solving and pure, clean fun are just some of the skills nurtured and mastered through our four star programme," he said.

The Bermuda Cadet Corps is a youth organisation set up to introduce the Island's young people to the army. It is free and open to those between the ages of 12 and 18.

Presently there are 16 active members, five of whom are female, Major Campbell said.

However, the Corps are trying to do more to get the Island's young people involved, including putting the programme in as many schools as possible.

"This September will find us knocking on the doors of the school principals to seek their permission to present information on the Cadet Corps at their school assemblies and PTA meetings," said Major Campbell.

In addition the cadet programme offers middle school students the opportunity to attend boarding school in Canada or the United Kingdom and take part in identical or similar cadet programmes. "The Corps is a window to future service," Major Campbell said.

"It has encouraged many over the years to join, not only the Regiment, but also other uniformed services.

"Today the interest in the uniformed services is minimal and we are hiring more staff from overseas.

"I want to make it clear that the Bermuda Cadet Corps is not a recruiting vehicle for the Regiment; however, giving the youth the early exposure has benefits to the Regiment in gaining volunteers and willing conscripts."

Major Campbell told The Royal Gazette: "I believe, if we have as many young people as possible involved, we would be able to keep them involved with other more positive things.

"And the controlled environment and supervised activities help keep things in check."