was one of those cadets who found himself in the line of fire "Artillery!'' the US Marine instructor shouted and the students cringed as simulated rounds started to fall around them.

They pressed deeper into the mud while elevating the stretcher -- or litter -- to ensure the patient would not get wet.

But the instructor continued to scream at the tired student-medics: "Get up.

Keep moving, what are you waiting for,'' he bellowed.

Lance-Corporal Quinton Butterfield heaved his end of the litter, held up by a medic at each end and yelled: "Go, go, go!'' The four-man team of mud-caked soldiers made their way forward under the barbed wire but the obstacle course was far from over.

The soldiers won the day, earning themselves the nickname, `Hard Dogs'.

But those soldiers were not US Marines, Army or even Navy -- they were Bermuda's own boys and girls in green, the Bermuda Regiment.

In April 225 Regiment troops landed at US Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point for a two-week training exercise, called Bermuda Blaze, on the Marine training ground, Camp Lejeune, in North Carolina.

The conscripts, some only 18 years old, were asked to dig deep as they assaulted a pre-built town during urban warfare training, conducted deep patrols into `enemy' territory and learned almost three weeks of medical training in 60 hours.

The soldiers finished their "hard dog'' training last week and arrived home on Saturday night.

US Navy Lieutenant Junior Grade J. Lynn, said the medics covered almost three weeks of material in the five days they were at Camp Johnson, home of the US Navy's Field Medical Service School, within Camp Lejeune.

There, medics awoke at 4 a.m. every morning for a 12-hour day of lectures and practical exercises including emergency crich (cutting open throats to create new airways), intravenous injections, suturing, combat triage and thorax anatomy.

Some got more sleep than others during class.

But some students distinguished themselves, such as Private Taylor who was congratulated by Lt. (jg) Lynn for his constant barrage of questions.

And medics were not the only Regiment soldiers racking up accomplishments.

Assault Pioneers of Support Company finished building a river forging bridge in record time, said Sergeant Wolffe.

And `A' Company, Bermuda Regiment's main infantry unit completed an aerial insertion via US Marine helicopters and an amphibious invasion via amphibious assault vehicles, or AAVs. Perhps not surprisingly several soldiers lost their lunch to the dynamics of flight.

Back at Camp Johnson, Regiment medics acquired the nickname `Hard Dogs' after racing through a Marine obstacle course and a four-person litter course on the same day.

Students completed the mud/bog courses in four-man teams carrying a litter loaded with four sandbags. Tests included keeping the litter out of the chest high water while under an artillery attack.

Regiment recruits earn their stripes Medics also practised teaching skills when they helped Camp Johnson instructors train `A' Company on haemorrhage control and basic first aid.

US Navy instructors, not accustomed to the Regiment's rough and tumble manners, commented after A Company departed: "That was a rowdy bunch.'' Lance-Corporal Butterfield, who lead his section through the course, called the training "exhausting''.

"It was exhausting because it was so much physical work, clawing through barbed wire, mud and carrying sandbags that got heavy when wet.

"It was longer than the Bermuda (obstacle) course and we got to do things we would never do in Bermuda,'' added Butterfield.

"It was top notch. The instructors made the course interesting. Most medics did very well.'' Across the military facility at Courthouse Bay, Guns and Assault Pioneer Detachment of Support Company, or GAP, learned about the MGB bridge.

Government is considering purchasing the newer model bridge to assist in repairs and disaster relief for the Longbird Bridge.

Sergeant Wolffe, GAP detachment commander, said the Assault Pioneers took a lot of interest in the newer model bridge.

"It's easier to build, not as hard because all of the parts like the aluminium pins that hold the parts, don't have to be greased or oiled,'' he said.

"We also completed a water purification course. We can clean anything aside from pools because of the chlorine,'' he added.

Sgt. Wolffe said that although the Bermuda Regiment has neither the bridge or purification equipment, the training provides a set of skills for future situations.

He also complimented his soldiers, saying: "There was a lot of energy involved.'' And Boat Troop won congratulatory remarks from Support Company Headquarters after errors nearly stranded two boats in alligator-infested waters on the first night.

Colour Sergeant Patterson, boat troop commander, and his seaman were training with the US Coast Guard and Marine Corps in night-time navigation when one boat ran out of gas and the other missed the rendezvous point.

That boat went past the meeting point and wound up in a creek when one engine cut out.

The last functioning boat rescued both boats and the soldiers made it back to barracks without incident.

Private Jason DeSilva of Boat Troop said: "I enjoyed (training). It was interesting but that first night was tragic. The third boat ran out of gas and had to row back. The Marines didn't fill (the boats) up in the morning.'' Support Company Sergeant-Major Bean said the Boat Troop learned skills such as boarding and searching a vessel, maritime formations, tactical insertions and withdrawals and small craft handling.

Pte. DeSilva said: "It was difficult. We were in water we never knew.'' He said he would never pull out a map in Bermuda but the river waters of North Carolina were uncharted territory to the Bermudian seamen.

Training highlights included navigating the man-made waterways that run from Florida to Maine.

The inland waterways were created during World War II so that boats could travel the East Coast without threat of attack from the sea.

Forest rangers were also fighting a fire sparked by Regimental military drills when a misfired pyrotechnic caught on dry brush.

The experienced rangers moved in the tractors and the fire was quickly controlled and extinguished although it covered over 100 square feet.

And the Regimental Police, or RPs, worked in the Marine Corps brig which houses prisons with all branches work along side their American counterparts.

Corporal Chauncey Durham said the procedures could be implemented in the Regiment's own Guard Room and had kind words to say about his counterparts.

"Soldiers are soldiers the world around. Contrary to popular belief, not everybody here is a career Marine and it still doesn't deter them from their professionalism,'' he said.

The RPs also trained with a Special Forces instructor at the US Army base Fort Bragg last week.

Cpl. Durham said: "We did a lot of the hand-to-hand techniques they use for their Special Forces unit.'' He said the training and experience was useful because some people can be extremely violent and the RPs must protect themselves and those around them.

By land and sea: Members of the Bermuda Regiment got a rare treat when they utilised an amphibious tank during a land and water operation at Camp Lejeune.

Easy does it: Medics of the Bermuda Regiment get to grips with the use of intravenous techniques during their two-week intensive training course.

Gotcha: Public safety and Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Robert Horton was captured and taken hostage by the Bermuda Regiment during an exercise when he paid a visit to the US Marine Corp's training base.

Urban assault: Infantry soldiers descend on their target during an urban assault on a purpose-built city at the massive Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.

Time for grub: Dressed ready for combat, Premier Jennifer Smith chowed down with the boys when she visited Camp Lejeune earlier this month.