The Bermuda Regiment, with an expanded full-time force, may provide security at the American Base at St. David's after the US Navy pulls out.

And sentry duty could be combined with a Coast Guard role.

Talks are ongoing within Government and with the Regiment.

Moving a full-time Regiment force -- perhaps a platoon or an entire company -- to provide security at the Base is under active consideration.

Management and Technology Minister the Hon. Grant Gibbons said several options are being explored, but no decisions have been made.

As a uniformed force with an established code of discipline, the Regiment is seen as an obvious choice to secure lands and buildings abandoned by the Americans next September 1.

But there are concerns -- including costs, the boredom of sentry duty, and undermining the Regiment's original internal security role.

One proposal would see the tedium of sentry duty broken up by Coast Guard duty and a limited role in search and rescue.

Lt. Col. David Burch, the Regiment's Commanding Officer, said an expanded role at the Base would be "an excellent thing for the Regiment''.

Among the advantages would be expanded job opportunities for young Bermudians, he said.

"Long before this issue arose, there have been various options explored about expanding the role of the Regiment and perhaps reducing the size of the Regiment with a larger full-time complement,'' Lt. Col. Burch said.

"I think the community gets value for money as it is. If we had a full-time element to the Regiment and an expanded role, I think the value could increase accordingly.'' Currently, the Regiment has a full-time staff of 22. If the plan goes ahead, that would be more than doubled.

At St. David's, "the most likely role that has been discussed at this stage is providing some level of security to that facility, once it's been handed back to Bermuda'', Lt. Col Burch said.

While he supported an expanded role at St. David's, Lt. Col. Burch is not keen about giving up the current Regiment headquarters at Warwick Camp.

"Operationally, Warwick is an ideal location,'' he said. It is central enough to be easily reached from both ends of the Island. "Our preference would be to stay here.'' Moving the Regiment would be "a very sizable financial proposition'', Lt.

Col. Burch said. "The facilities here are provided specifically for an infantry Regiment.'' With the Base lands returning, there has been talk of moving the Regiment away from prime real estate on Warwick's South Shore, perhaps to the former US Naval Annex in Southampton. Lt. Col. Burch said a "significant capital investment'' would be required, at either St. David's or the Annex.

St. David's has barracks facilities, but no firing range, the Commanding Officer said. The Regiment just spent about six months refurbishing its range.

Lt. Col. Burch was not sure what armoury facilities exist at either of the American Bases.

"I would prefer as much notice as possible about a likely move prior to it happening,'' he said.