Bermuda Regiment conscripts and officers will receive anti-harassment training to prevent such behaviour within its ranks.

And a new complaints and grievances procedure has been instituted to properly handle harassment allegations.

That is according to Lieutenant Colonel Brian Gonsalves, who spoke yesterday at a meeting of the Hamilton Rotary Club.

The Commanding Officer of the Bermuda Regiment also took the opportunity to defend the organisation against comments in a Letter to the Editor of The Royal Gazette.

The letter claimed the Regiment was teaching potential gang members and criminals how to use a gun.

"Let me take this time to respond briefly to this criticism," Lt. Col. Gonsalves said. "The Regiment teaches its soldiers to use a weapon safely and in accordance with the law, military procedures and protocols and international best practices.

"However, what is also true is that the Regiment teaches these same soldiers discipline, responsibility, accountability for one's actions, team work, respect for others and self respect. For anyone to suggest that there is even a modicum of causality between today's gang violence and the Regiment is preposterous and defies all logic."

Meanwhile, he said, claims of harassment of any form within the Regiment are taken seriously.

"I can only reiterate what I have repeatedly stated publicly," he said. "I will not tolerate any form of harassment.

"Any and all claims have been and will be investigated thoroughly and, where necessary, will be forwarded to the Police for further investigation."

He added that there is now official procedure in place where such complaints arise.

"Standing orders are specific directives which spell out the Regiment's governing procedures," he said. "Since June 2009 I have instituted a very clear grievance and harassment reporting procedure which now forms part of our internal standing orders."

He continued: "All (532) soldiers, of all ranks, are now required to receive annual anti-harassment training, similar to that which is offered in the corporate world. Our organisation demands respect and trust for one another this is paramount for our continued existence, and we must be robust in our efforts to do all we can to protect it."

The many highlights over the past year include the 2009 Tattoo, the Royal Visit and the Regiment's most recent recruitment drive, Lt. Col. Gonsalves added.

He lauded the Bermuda Regiment for its efforts during Ex Irie Onion the recently completed training camp in Jamaica. He said despite the hot weather and uncomfortable conditions the 163 soldiers who attended were successful in completing the challenges that were set.

"Historically we complete one service project while in Jamaica but this year we completed two," he said.

The first project, said Lt. Col. Gonsalves, took place in Jamaica's Sherwood Forest where Regiment members installed a new water tank and pump for an isolated school. The second saw Regiment medics assist in the emergency room of the Kingston Public Hospital. He said the medics gained first-hand experience at the hospital, even reviving a stabbing victim.