regiment.

Most answered yesterday's 8 a.m. call-up for their two week intensive training course.

But for around eight latecomers, a spell in the guardhouse was their welcome to military life.

And the 160 recruits can expect plenty more early starts over the next two weeks as they get to grips with military life.

The recruits began by running into Warwick Camp -- and running will feature heavily for these rookies.

Capt. Nicholas Mansell explained: "They run a lot because that's all they know how to do. They'll keep running until they learn how to march properly.'' Waving goodbye to Civvie Street also meant waving goodbye to fashionable haircuts as the military barber set about giving short back and sides -- an indignity that comes at a price.

Captain Mansell said: "Yes, we charge them for the haircuts. They are told before they come here to get haircuts, so if they haven't done it we do it for them and we charge them. It's mainly for hygiene.'' But with the uniformity comes a common bonding, says Major Brian Gonsalves.

He said: "It doesn't matter whether you come from Tucker's Town or Pond Hill, everybody works together. You work as a team. "It instils discipline. You see a change in people's attitudes over the two weeks they are here.'' Recruit camp opens However he points out that boot camp isn't obligatory. He said: "Conscientious objectors can serve in the St. John Ambulance Brigade. But it is your duty to serve your country.

"We sometimes get people who try to rebel -- but they are not always succesful.'' Major Gonsalves denied conscription was an anachronism.

He said: "The Regiment can be used for internal security to bolster the Police or to help out if there is a nature disaster.

"They were mobilised during Hurricane Gert. If the Causeway had been destroyed, we would have tried to fix it. They had two to three days supplies.

"The beauty of the Regiment is that there is a lot of expertise because people come from such varied backgrounds.'' But he has little sympathy for those who find it hard going. He said: "Most boot camps around the world run for 13-14 weeks.'' Apart from the tedium of gruelling beach runs, squarebashing, weapons assembly and drill, the rookie recruits will also get to fire live rounds.

And recruits are left in no doubt about the firepower available to the Regiment.

Capt. Mansell said: "Later on today we will be demonstrating the general purpose machine gun. It is powerful enough to knock down a brick wall.''