The Bermuda Regiment’s newest recruits today enjoyed a day off at home after completing a gruelling five mile run on Saturday, according to a Regiment media release.

It reported that recruits took part in a drill competition on Saturday morning, followed by a five mile road race before beginning their “well-earned break”.

The release continued: “The recruits also watched a fieldcraft demonstration on South Shore put on by their instructors — some of whom were raw recruits themselves only two years ago.”

Conscript Private Sam Matthews, 24, said after the run: “I enjoy the physical training the most — the Regiment’s the best time in my life.”

Pte Matthews, from Smith’s and an internal sales representative at computer firm ACT, added: “I’m learning a lot about working with other people, being a leader, pushing myself and reaching levels I’ve never reached before.”

Pte Nicoy Anglin, 18, who volunteered, was quoted saying: “I volunteered basically for fitness and also just to get a better understanding of the Regiment.

The 18-year-old bank teller from Pembroke added: “Some people say it’s so bad, but I’ve loved it. It’s the constant trying to get better.”

And Pte Lateef Trott, from Hamilton Parish, who is currently job hunting while working as a volunteer medic at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, was conscripted.

The 19-year-old Hamilton Parish resident and cricketer, who played for St George’s in last summer’s Cup Match, said: “I was nervous — but my father and my uncle were both in the Regiment and they told me about it. It seems like a good thing, and I’m hoping to get some rank.”

Pte Trott said he had originally wanted to join the Regiment’s medics. Now he is looking at applying for the junior Non-Commissioned Officers’ Cadre, and then try for a commission through the officers’ training course. “My thing is, since I’m here, I should make good use of it and see how far I can go.”

Pte Staceylee Condor, a mother-of-three, saw two sons through the Regiment before she volunteered herself at the age of 44.

She said: “I’m looking for the experience and trying to find something different in my life because my children are all grown up.”

The Hamilton Parish resident continued: “They tried to talk me out of it and said I didn’t know what I was getting into — but it’s not that harsh at all. The hardest part for me is trying to get down the drills. Everything else is just fine.”

Pte Condor said she enjoyed the variety of personalities in the recruit intake and watching them surprise themselves under pressure.

She added: “I’m older than a lot of them, but it’s great seeing all these different people working as a team. We’re becoming a family and it’s good watching these young people maturing.”

Pte Kevin Weeks, 20, a volunteer from Smith’s, said time in the former Cadet Corps had given him a good grounding. The kitchen porter at a rest home in Warwick added: “Getting up early is the most difficult thing for me, but I’m getting used to it.”

The Regiment said that a career with them: “offers adventure, fun, challenge, the opportunity to travel, acquire skills useful in civilian life, make new friends and competitive rates of pay, as well as a $500 bounty for new volunteers — all while serving our Island home.”

For more information, call 238-1045 or visit www.bermudaregiment.bm.