Bermuda Regiment commanding officer Lt. Col. Eddie Lamb has issued a stern warning to those who have dodged conscription after more than two thirds of recruits selected for service failed to show for medical exams.

Out of 150 men conscripted only 49 showed up at Warwick Camp for their medical examinations at the beginning of November. Since then the Regiment has enlisted just over 90 men, ?a far cry from the 200 or so we need to join our ranks,? said Lt. Col. Lamb.

However despite this poor showing he said neither the conscription of women or of men who may not be able to physically perform the full duties of a soldier was a consideration for the Regiment.

?For the last several weeks names have appeared in the local print media informing those young men who have been selected for military service to report for duty at Warwick Camp at the prescribed times,? Lt. Col. Lamb said at a Press conference yesterday.

?As a consequence of the apathy shown by those called up for military service, the Bermuda Regiment has commenced picking up young men from across the Island, including but not limited to their places of work and residences. This is an unfortunate situation and an undesirable one for us, but we shall continue these round ups with vigour and determination.

?We have received a great deal of support from the community, including employers and family members, and we would appreciate their continued support as we persist with this process.?

Lt. Col. Lamb said it was ironic that most of the men they were searching for would probably be deemed unfit to serve due to medical reasons. ?But they won?t know until they?ve been seen by our doctor.

When asked if the Regiment was considering taking men who were eager to serve but could not perform the full duties of a soldier because of medical reasons, he said: ?Not yet.

?In order to serve you must have a certain level of physical ability. We will not be lowering our standards of admission.?

The conscription of women was also not an option, he said. ?At present I see no need for that.?

Traditionally the Regiment was based on men providing service, he said. ?Women are now doing more than they should have to do (in other areas) because men aren?t doing it. Conscripting women is not something I would support.

?Most of the young men we are resorting to chasing do very little with their lives. They certainly don?t wish to give themselves to this community. Men?s responsibility is to be in the military and take their rightful place in our society as leaders.

?It is also appropriate at this time to remind everyone that those persons named in the November 14, 2003 edition of the Bermuda Sun are now ?enlisted in absentia? into the Bermuda Regiment,? he said.

?As such, those who have not yet reported for duty are committing an offence, as well as anyone assisting them in their evasion of duty, whether deliberately or otherwise.

?The enlistment process continues daily throughout the next week and we strongly urge those who have been enlisted but who have not yet done so to do the right thing and report for duty. ?Hurricane Fabian was a devastating reminder that this country relies on the Bermuda Regiment and, by extension, its young men. The ultimate sacrifice is to serve others. Report for duty to avoid the embarrassment of an arrest.?