Regiment, it was revealed yesterday.

And Maj. Larry Mussenden will take over the number two spot when Maj. Gibbons steps up in November.

Maj. Gibbons -- speaking exclusively to The Royal Gazette -- said last night: "It's definitely an honour and I'm certainly very pleased.'' And he added: "At this stage, what I bring to the table is that I've done a lot in the Regiment, from paymaster to public relations to second-in-command.

"I have good, broad experience of how the Regiment runs. The Regiment isn't a business, but I do have extensive business experience and hopefully I can translate some of that in the day-to-day running of the Regiment -- creating opportunities for people and, in general, bringing a background of being able to make things work.'' Maj. Gibbons will be promoted to Lt. Col. later this year and assume full command of the Island's part-time army.

The Royal Gazette exclusively predicted last month that Maj. Gibbons was in line to take over from current CO, Lt. Col. Patrick Outerbridge, when his term ends.

It was reported then that, while the post would not be officially made part-time, Maj. Gibbons had made it clear that he could only take the job on the understanding that he could still devote time to his extensive business commitments.

The news sparked fury among some elements of the defence force, with one insider predicting more internal warfare at Warwick Camp.

The source claimed that Maj. Gibbons, "relatively speaking'', was not qualified to be a Captain, let alone the CO.

And the insider questioned whether race and social connections were all that was needed to advance in the Regiment.

But the claims were dismissed by Defence Board chief Col. Allan Rance.

He confirmed Maj. Gibbons and black officers Maj. Eddie Lamb and Maj.

Mussenden had been interviewed by the Board, which makes a recommendation to the Regiment's Commander-in-Chief, Governor Thorold Masefield.

And he pointed out that the fact that the four-strong interview board had three black members and one white -- all former senior Regiment officers -- spoke for itself.

Col. Rance added that Maj. Gibbons had "a proven track record and considerable experience'' as well as extensive business experience valuable in running an organisation like the Regiment.

Gibbons to take over as Regiment CO Deputy Governor Tim Gurney last night backed Col. Rance and said: "Major Gibbons has commanded practically everything in the Regiment and he is widely believed to be the one man who can pull it all together at this stage.

"If there are one or two malcontents up at Warwick Camp, that's tough.

"The appointment board believes strongly that Major Gibbons was the best candidate and surely that's what everybody wants. The best candidate doing the job.'' Mr. Gurney added that the Regiment was set to enter a period of upheaval in the wake of a major review of its role, carried out by a team headed by a British Army Brigadier.

The Deputy Governor declined to comment on the review, but it is likely to lead to a smaller force with a higher proportion of full-timers, a greater sea-going role to plug the gaps in Bermuda's maritime capability and a cut in the duration of service, currently more than three years.

Mr. Gurney said: "The review is another factor in that Maj. Gibbons is not only highly experienced in the Regiment, but is also used to management at a high level and the level of change which is involved in that.

"He is well capable of managing change and the Regiment is due to go through a period of change as a result of the review.'' Maj. Gibbons said he was inundated with calls of support for his candidacy from within the Regiment after his return from manoeuvres in Jamaica.

He added: "I will be divesting myself of all day-to-day responsibilities of the companies I am in charge of now.'' Maj. Gibbons said he would still have to take an interest in the extensive Gibbons empire and keep in touch with developments.

But he insisted: "When it comes to the Regiment, if it requires eight hours a day or 16 hours a day to get the job done, that's what it will be.'' And he promised: "Between Major Mussenden and myself, we will see it as a priority to ensure that where people are frustrated or concerned, we will go to great lengths to prove otherwise. We'll make it a priority to bring things together.'' Maj. Gibbons added: "We're both very excited about the prospect of what will come out of the review, because that will decide where the Regiment is going over the next few years.

"And that will assist in bringing everyone together towards the common goal of implementing whatever recommendations come out of it.''