The latest intake of Royal Bermuda Regiment recruits includes an encouragingly high number of women, the Minister of National Security said.

Renee Ming, who visited the recruits on Monday, said she was “very pleased” to hear that eight out of 22 recruits in the summer training programme were female.

She urged more women to get involved in this “rewarding and enriching career choice”.

All of the recruits started the two-week intensive course last Sunday which aims to transition them from civilians to soldiers.

They will complete a further three months of training before participating in a passing out parade and being posted to one of the regiment’s operational companies.

They cover areas including security, disaster relief, maritime, ceremonial and logistical roles. Recruits will get the opportunity to travel overseas for exercises and courses.

Major Duncan Simons, RBR careers management officer, said that joining the Regiment is a rewarding experience.

“It’s an opportunity for anyone who is resident in Bermuda to serve the community and challenge themselves to be part of a wider community beyond what they might be involved in.

“There are opportunities to travel, to have training which is leadership focused, not just on land but also on water with the RBR Coastguard.

“People are used to seeing us after hurricanes but we provide a mass of disciplined and organised soldiers who can respond to all sorts of disasters on the island.

“We have been more visible recently because of pandemic but the capability has always been there.”

For more information about the Royal Bermuda Regiment, visit the website at: https://www.bermudaregiment.bm/