crisis, according to Senate Opposition leader Sen. Alex Scott .

Sen. Scott called on the country's Defence Board to review the recruitment of officers.

But Government Sen. Wendell Hollis said that a shortage of officers was nothing unusual in peace-time.

Sen. Scott said that new commanding officer Major David Burch, who takes over from Lt. Col. Allan Rance, is about to be confronted by some difficult problems.

"The complement of officers is about 50 percent down. It is 22 to 23 officers when it should be 30-plus for the Regiment to be fully staffed at the leadership level,'' he said.

"It could mean difficulty if they are put into the field under any duress or put on security alert for more than 48 hour periods.'' Sen. Scott said that it would mean that because of depleted ranks the Regiment would have to call on help from the "sergeant level.'' He added: "It would be a regiment that would have to turn to sergeants to fill in for the depletion at the top.

"It could lead to the Governor maybe feeling he would have to look outside for assistance.'' According to the Opposition leader, Major Burch is going to be faced with the job of bringing officer numbers up.

But he said that the Defence Board must also look at how to interest young people in becoming officers.

"The state of readiness of the Regiment is important to Bermuda,'' said Sen.

Scott. "It works closely with the Police to ensure that Bermuda has security forces in place and up to strength. This presently is an unacceptable situation.'' Sen. Hollis said: "I believe there has always been a level of concern over the officers' complement in the Regiment. To my knowledge between 1977 and 1988, when I left, we never had a time when we had enough officers.

"The difference between officers and enlisted men is that a great proportion are recruited compulsorily to the ranks. It is not compulsory to serve as an officer.'' He said that officers volunteered to serve up to three times a week and often at weekends, much more than enlisted soldiers. He pointed out that during peace-time fewer people would be interested.

Independent Sen. Norma Astwood said that the question of officers' numbers arose during an inquiry into racial discrimination.

As a result of the inquiry, officers reaching the age of 45 were asked to leave the Regiment and younger officers were asked to fill their places.

Sen. Alex Scott.