Soldiers who passed out last week from the Royal Bermuda Regiment Recruit Camp shared how the two-week course benefited them through the development of skills and increased fitness levels.

As well as enhanced discipline and structure, the troops noted that strong bonds were formed during the foundational training.

Private Noldré Brown, a 23-year-old Mailboxes employee from Sandys, signed up to participate in something outside of ordinary life.

“It’s definitely improved my discipline,” he reflected. “Being able to withstand things that I wouldn’t do on a normal basis, being able to overcome any doubts and lack of belief in myself that I may have had, and just push through in whatever way was necessary. Everything is organised in the regiment, so it has also been a huge boost to my level of structure.”

Private Brown added: “The most challenging thing was understanding that you’re not just here by yourself and implementing what the regiment’s teaching you within a team setting. You’re accountable not only for yourself but also for the next person in the team.”

With his sights set on joining the RBR Coastguard and rising through the ranks, he said he would encourage anyone else considering a regimental career to sign up.

“Wherever you are in your life, it can be a huge benefit,” he said. “Everything you learn here, no matter how basic you may see it on the outside, they’re all skills that you can transfer into your everyday life.

“It will put you in a space where you can challenge yourself. You can receive nothing but good from it.”

Lessons for the recruits included foot drill, weapons handling, first aid and communications. They were tested during an overnight exercise in inclement weather as well as live firing on the range at Warwick Camp. Further challenges came in the shape of an obstacle course competition and the RBR’s two annual mandatory fitness tests.

Private Peninah Muchai, 42, a mother-of-three who is originally from Kenya and has lived in Bermuda for six years, enlisted to see how far she could push herself and to give back to the community.

She said: “It has been challenging and exciting at the same time. I didn’t know how I would do with the challenges, especially the obstacle course, the patrols at night, the running and everything — I enjoyed it, but I had to push myself.

“I had to keep in mind that I came here and I’m not giving up.

“The most enjoyable part was making new friends and I loved the food; also my corporal, he was a nice tutor, he took us through every step. It was fun sometimes, a bit tough sometimes but it was all worth it.”

Private Liam Clease, 22, from Devonshire, enlisted because he sought change, challenge and structure.

He said: “I wanted to find something that I could build a career out of. So far, I think I’m getting on the right path.”

Private Clease added: “I enjoyed meeting all these people. I didn’t think I was going to get along as quickly as I did with all the other recruits, it only took a couple of days for us to start clicking with each other and I ended up making really good friends.”

Reflecting on his own development, he said: “I see myself coming out of my shell a lot, challenging myself to meet new people and not be afraid to try new things.”

Private Lisbeth Alvarez, 23, from Warwick and a Marks & Spencer sales associate, said she was pushed physically and in learning to increase her self-discipline.

She added: “I enjoyed weapons and drill, those were my two favourite things.

“I’ve definitely gotten a bit stronger, physically, I’m able to do a lot more push-ups than I did when I started. In terms of discipline, drill really taught me to centre myself and my emotions.”

Lieutenant Scott Brown, who was the recruit camp platoon commander – his first time in that role — described the experience as “very rewarding”.

He said: “It was a fantastic group. We had stronger numbers with 22 Bermudians through the gate, supported by 12 recruits from the Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment. We had a really solid platoon.

“Overall, it was a mix of very capable and intelligent people but, most of all, eager and willing to get stuck in and soldiering.”

Lieutenant Brown noted that the troops had a variety of life experiences and that opportunities within the RBR are similarly varied.

“There are all sorts of ways that they can contribute,” he added.

The recruits passed out on Friday and will take part in continuation training for about two months before they are posted to their various RBR companies.

In a message to anyone considering signing up to the regiment, Lieutenant Brown added: “If you’re genuinely looking to change your life and really form a new foundation for self, then take the brave step and walk through the gates — that will be half the battle won.”

• For information on joining the Royal Bermuda Regiment, visit rbr.bm, call 238-1045 or contact the Recruiting Team at rbr.recruiting@gov.bm