The Bermuda Regiment will now foot the bill so recruits and soldiers can further their education at the Bermuda College.

The Student Soldier Programme was unveiled on Monday at the Bermuda College by Minister of Home Affairs Randy Horton, Regiment Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Edward Lamb and President of the College, Dr. Charles Green.

?The general aim of the Student Soldier Programme is to raise the overall educational attainment of young Bermudians while they serve their country,? Mr. Horton said. ?This allows them to reap a real benefit to their service in addition to their military skills.?

?Any soldier in good standing who has an excellent attendance record can apply and receive permission from the Commanding Officer to attend Bermuda College,? Mr. Horton explained.

?The course of study selected by the soldier, once approved by the College and the Regiment, will then be paid for by the Bermuda Regiment. The soldier will attend classes in full uniform; transcripts will be forwarded to the Commanding Officer on a regular basis so that the soldier?s performance can be carefully monitored.?

Mr. Horton said he hoped the programme would encourage current soldiers to perform well and convince others to join the Regiment.

While he acknowledged that service to one?s country ?is not an easy road? for some young Bermudians, he said it was invaluable and the new programme would act as an incentive.

He said the programme also met the key plank of the Government?s Social Agenda, ?to provide tangible and concrete assistants to persons who demonstrate both a need and willingness to do what it takes to accomplish their goals?.

The programme has been allotted $100,000, though Minister Horton said if demand exceeded the funds available, he would find more money for the educational grants.

Major Wayne Smith said he has already had a lot of positive feedback from soldiers who are pleased the Government is doing something for them.

He added that one soldier was sure there was a ?catch? somewhere and was amazed to find out soldiers simply had to fulfil their Regiment duties to be eligible.

It is hoped that the programme will encourage others to sign on and current soldiers to stay on past their mandatory three years. Soldiers can avail themselves of any part-time or full-time course offered at the college. They must maintain their good standing in the Regiment and a grade-point average of at least two, which is roughly equivalent to a ?C?.

It is expected that the official intake of soldiers at the Bermuda College will begin in the autumn semester, though two soldiers have already signed up to the programme and are currently taking courses at the college. Mr. Horton added:?It is the Government?s view that we can ill afford to lose the potential of any Bermudian. Indeed, the future successes of our country will be determined largely by the development of its human potential, by the contribution made by each and every Bermudian.?