Bermuda Regiment Commanding Officer Lt. Col. David Burch yesterday delivered his last boot camp lecture to rookie soldiers.

And Lt. Col. Burch -- due to retire in November after more than three years as top man in the Island's defence force -- brought along babies' bottles and diapers to underline to a mess hall full of young Bermudians that they had to stand on their own two feet.

Lt. Col. Burch said: "I appreciate that many of you are here reluctantly. You didn't volunteer.

"Perhaps you don't want to be here, but none of us have any control over that.'' But he told the recruits that they would get out of their two weeks' basic training no more than they were prepared to put into it.

Lt. Col. Burch added that many of the NCOs now ready to instruct recruits had not wanted to be soldiers either.

He said: "One of the greatest success stories of the Regiment is we take people and teach them to teach you.'' And he predicted: "Few of you will admit at the end of your service -- except perhaps to yourselves -- that you had a good time.

"But I guarantee that on January 27 you will have enjoyed yourself and you will have made many friends.'' Lt. Col. Burch admitted that the recruits would be cold, wet and hungry at times during their training.

But he added: "Hopefully, you will have a better appreciation of the price you have to pay for living in this Country.'' And -- not surprisingly -- there were no takers when he asked if anybody needed a packet of Pampers or a baby bottle.

Earlier, Lt. Col. Burch told The Royal Gazette that he would miss soldiering -- but not the bureaucratic battles that go with the leadership of the Regiment.

He said: "I will miss the soldiering part, no question about that, the cameraderie. But I don't have any regrets. I do leave with some sense that I will miss it, but I accept it without question.

"It's good for the Regiment that people aren't going to be around forever.

They know they have a reasonable chance to get the job if it's within their capabilities.'' He added: "The Regiment is in good shape. It will get a new C.O. -- he will be a different character from me, but there will be no major change in direction or focus.'' And he stressed for every lapse in standards by individual soldiers, there were many others who were a credit to the Regiment.

Lt. Col. Burch explained: "We reflect what is going on in the community. It's no surprise we get all of the challenges the community is facing.

"But what are the alternatives? Surrender? I don't think so.'' He was speaking as about 200 new recruits got their first taste of army life.

And they were left in no doubt that their lives belong to the Regiment for the next two weeks as they marched double time into Warwick Camp at 8 a.m. -- or 0800 hours -- exactly.

The military ritual began with the correct way to wear a uniform -- then a haircut at the none-too-gentle hands of NCOs wielding electric clippers like lethal weapons.

And the thought of an into-the-bone crewcut proved too much for one recruit -- who ended up handcuffed by Regimental Police and marched to a chair in the centre of Warwick Camp's parade ground for a regulation shave as an example to watching rookies.

And one NCO -- viewing this year's crop of servicemen with the good-natured disgust of the veteran squaddie -- laughed: "I'm surprised they don't get their mothers in to make up their beds.'' The training platoons -- marked with different-coloured shoulder flashes -- were taken on a whirlwind familiarisation tour of the camp, stopping off at the Officer's Mess to meet the junior officers who will lead them in training.

And Lt. David Curley told his Ten Platoon that NCOs would show them where Mr.

Excuse and Mr. I Can't were buried.

He added: "You are my children and I will look after you if you look after me.'' Lt. Marc Telemaque told Seven Platoon: "The sun rises and the sun sets on me.

Recruit camp opens "There are two ways in the army, the hard way and the easy way.

"As far as I am concerned, the easy way is hard and the hard way is very hard. There is a lot of work to do. Believe me, you will accomplish it.'' After the introduction to senior personnel, recruits got an introduction to the weapons they will use in their three years' service at a firing range set up on a South Shore beach.

NCOs from the Regiment, the Jamaican Defence Force and the Royal Anglian Regiment demonstrated everything from riot control guns which fire baton rounds -- rubber bullets -- to the General Purpose Machine Gun, capable of blasting through a wall from hundreds of yards away.

A beginner's guide to drill followed lunch and shattered recruits fell into bed at 11 p.m. -- to be followed by a 6 a.m. start today and some early morning physical training.

Photos by David Skinner DOUBLE TROUBLE! -- Eagle-eyed Regiment Police stand ready as recruits wait to cross the line between civilian and army life on their first day at Warwick Camp.

SHORT SHARP SHOCK -- A Regiment recruit who objected to having his hair cut is led to lock-up in handcuffs after being shorn in the centre of the parade ground.