The Royal Bermuda Regiment has promoted two officers to major from within its ranks while welcoming a third new major, who has joined after coming to the island from the UK.

Majors Ryan Eve and Travis Stevens were promoted from captain while Major James Johnson joined the RBR after moving from Britain, where he served as an Army Reserve Officer.

Lieutenant-Colonel Duncan Simons, RBR Commanding Officer, said that the three “bring a wealth of experience and leadership” to the battalion.

He added that Major Eve and Major Stevens recently completed the intermediate command and staff course at the UK Defence Academy in Shrivenham.

“Throughout their careers, they have served in a variety of appointments across the regiment, demonstrating exceptional commitment to both military and public service,” he said.

“As reserve officers, they exemplify the advantages of a dual-career pathway. The leadership, decision-making and professional skills they have developed through military service have complemented successful civilian careers in Bermuda's insurance sector.

“Equally, the regiment has benefited from the expertise and perspectives they have gained in their civilian professions.”

Major Stevens, who joined the regiment in 2011 and became an officer two years later, is Officer Commanding, A Company. He said his day-to-day mission would remain the same.

“Service has never been about rank, and respect isn't something you can demand, it has to be earned,” he added.

“It comes from acting with integrity in camp and outside it, in uniform and out of it, and from never asking your soldiers to do what you wouldn't do yourself.

“The regiment brings together the most diverse group of people on the island.

“In a single room you will find masons, doctors, plumbers, lawyers, mechanics, architects, electricians, engineers, historians and hospitality professionals, from different backgrounds, nationalities and walks of life.

“I bring my own civilian career in cyber and I've found that managing risk in the office and in the field has more in common than less.

“Our training is designed to draw on that variety. Cross-training is built into the syllabus, so knowledge is constantly shared and a soldier's civilian expertise becomes a capability for the whole unit.”

Major Eve, who enlisted in 2014 and became an officer in 2017, is Officer Commanding, Headquarters Company.

He said: “Joining the regiment provides the chance to develop discipline, resilience, teamwork and self-confidence in an environment that challenges and supports you.

“It exposes individuals to experiences they may never encounter elsewhere, from specialist training and adventurous activities to leadership opportunities and operational deployments.

“The friendships and professional networks formed within a regiment are often lifelong, and the sense of belonging and shared purpose can be extremely rewarding.”

He noted how becoming an officer develops decision-making, communication and problem-solving skills.

“Officers are given responsibility for leading and developing others, often in demanding and complex situations,

“The experience gained can be invaluable, not only within the military but throughout a person's wider career and life.”

Major Johnson, who is from the West Midlands in the UK, is the chief environmental health officer with the Government of Bermuda, having moved to the island last year.

He has been able to retain his British Army Reserve role as part of the medical operational support unit, where his work covers providing support to developing countries to improve their healthcare systems.

Major Johnson said: “My strength in the British Army, and I hope in Bermuda, lies in the operational deployments that I have done.

“Equally, I’m certain that there will be lots of experiences I can gain. This is a chance for me to keep my military skills up but also to learn how an overseas territory unit works.”

Also promoted was Captain Samuel Hewitt, who advanced from the rank of lieutenant.