Well-wishers braved the rain outside Warwick Camp early yesterday to wave off the Regiment's newest batch of recruits.

The group of 143 trainee soldiers will spend the next two weeks learning basic military skills including drill, weapons handling and live firing.

They will be up at 6 a.m. for 18-hour days that will lay the groundwork for their three years and two months of part-time service.

Media liaison officer Captain Robert Spurling said last night: "So far, it's gone very smoothly with no problems at all and they have adjusted well. "The real shock will come in the next few days — the early mornings and the intensive training will catch up with them."

He also warned four recruits who failed to show up that the Regimental Police will be out looking for them.

Although the Regiment is not obliged to have a specific number of female soldiers, the first female-focused advertising drive in three years was launched ahead of this year's camp. It resulted in two new recruits — one more than last year.

According to Major George Jones, the officer commanding Training Company: "We had quite a lot of interest but for timing and personal reasons, not all of them could attend this year."

Complaints about a lack of women within the Regiment form part of a case that anti-conscription campaigners Bermudians Against the Draft (BAD) will launch at Supreme Court next month.

The group hopes the action in the name of 14 young conscripts against the Governor, Deputy Governor and Attorney General will see mandatory military service outlawed for good.

BAD claims the Defence Department ballot that picks conscripts is gender-biased and a breach of human rights because only men are chosen, not women. The Regiment denied the recent recruitment drive was linked to this.

The campaigners further claim that not enough effort has been put into recruiting volunteers before the Regiment fills its ranks with conscripts.

Capt. Spurling was unable to say how many of the new soldiers are volunteers as opposed to conscripts, stating that the Regiment makes no distinction between the two.

Defence Administrator Alvin Daniels was also unable to provide a figure, but said: "The majority are conscripts and there are very few volunteers."

Bermudian males aged 18 to 33 are liable for call-up to the Regiment. Exemptions apply for reasons including alternative service with the Police, Fire and St. John Ambulance services.

Regiment Commander William White has previously commented that it cannot fulfil its current roles — which include hurricane relief and maintaining public safety — through a purely volunteer cadre.

Minister of Home Affairs David Burch has said there is no public or political support for ending conscription.

Opinions on the topic were mixed among those at the gates yesterday.

Nolette Tucker, who was waving off her son Miguel Lopes, 20, admitted she was concerned over claims from BAD that conscripts are subjected to abuse at Warwick Camp.

"It's a strange feeling to be here. I'm hoping that is not what goes on," she said. "I'm proud of him to want to go."

However, she is opposed to a ban on conscription.

"I'm a little bit worried about how they treat them but it's about men and discipline. I'm sure it's a good experience for them, and necessary. It's about representing your country," she said.

Richard Knight, there to support his son Stefan Knight, 19, said: "It's fine with me and he seems to be accepting it. I served my time years ago but these young fellows nowadays feel a little different. I think it will be a positive experience for him."

Alastair Smith, 24, said he was at the gates to laugh at the new recruits, in particular his work colleague Rory Manuel.

He has himself been exempted from Regiment service on medical grounds, and believes that conscription is wrong.

"It should be voluntary. I heard it's good for them, but you should not be made to do it," he said.