It's normal for the Bermuda Regiment to come under the spotlight in January as it brings in its latest class of conscripts for two week of intensive training at Warwick Camp.

It is less common for the Regiment to come under fire for manhandling recruits who arrive late. But that's what happened this year, as at least two latecomers either fell or were knocked to the ground by Regimental Police as they were rushed into the camp.

Opinions seem to be divided on the issue, and in defence of the Regiment soldiers, at least one of the recruits seemed to be giving as good, or more, as he got. It's also worth noting that no one was injured. Still, there's a fine line between discipline and abuse; the Regiment needs to be sure that its RPs understand the difference.

This mini-controversy obscures the larger questions about the Regiment's purpose and role. The good news for the Regiment is that it saw a very strong enrolment this year after several years of struggling to induce its conscripts to appear at Camp at all.

The causes of the improvement are probably twofold. First, the Regiment has worked hard and publicly to "get its men", showing that avoiding service will be extremely difficult. But it is also likely that the Regiment's efforts to broaden and expand its training and functions has helped.

Certainly, the work that the Regiment did after Fabian showed that the Regiment has a function beyond parades and training for internal security incidents. And its recent certification of soldiers in using chainsaws and the like shows that it is taking this part of its function seriously.

Similarly, the rebirth of the boat troop and the possibility that this arm of the Regiment will be able to take on a Coast Guard role in the future shows that the Regiment is constantly re-examining itself in order to justify its existence.

That's important, because, with the exception of the embodiment after the 2001 terrorist attacks, it has now been more than 20 years since the Regiment was called out to perform its internal security role in a meaningful way.

That does not mean this should not continue to be part of its function. But just as the Fire Service had to re-evaluate its role as the frequency of fires fell and successfully took on its emergency medical role, so the Regiment has to keep rethinking its purpose.

And it must have a purpose in order to carry out what may be its greatest social function; instilling discipline and pride in young men and women and acting as what is still perhaps the best force for social and racial integration on the Island.

That's a vital and important function, but it cannot do it if its soldiers do not have a purpose.

And, because the Regiment draws its soldiers through a random draft, it remains fundamentally unfair. Why should some young men be required to serve the community while others stay at home? And why should women be exempted except as volunteers?

It would be better for young Bermudians and Bermuda if all young people were required to give their time in some form of community service. This would not necessarily have to be military. It could be some form of work with the young, the elderly or the disabled. It could be gardening or landscaping public parks, roadsides and the homes of people unable to do it themselves. It could be enrolment in the Reserve Police, the St. George's Fire Brigade or the St. John Ambulance Brigade. The possibilities are endless.

Bit just as the Regiment brings young men and women together for a common good, so this concept of community service could and should be widened to encompass everyone.