The Bermuda Regiment will have one of the lowest numbers of recruits in recent memory this year: 80, exactly half last year’s number.Budgeted wages for Bermuda’s defence forces were cut from $2.9 million to $1.7 million in the current Budget.“It’s one of the lowest numbers I’m aware of,” said Regiment spokesman Capt Ben Beasley. “Last year we had 160 recruits.”However, Capt Beasley added, the number of recruits would be sufficient to maintain the Regiment’s current number of 360 serving soldiers and recruits, 125 of whom are volunteers.“That is the number we need to balance the amount leaving, the natural attrition, versus those who want to stay long-term, what we call the long-term nucleus, who take the Regiment as a full-time or part-time career,” he said.So far, the Regiment has 11 volunteers signed up higher than this time last year and hopes to draw more for January’s Recruit Camp.Volunteers comprise one third of the current force. Capt Beasley said the Regiment was committed to attracting more, adding: “We take forced enlistees by the Defence Act second. The fact is, if we had 80 fit individuals walking in to serve, there would be no conscripts.”The low number of recruits this year partly reflects the available budget, and an increase in long-term members of the force.“As the needs for the Regiment have changed, you’re no longer just doing your three years and two month; you’re doing a trade,” Capt Beasley explained. “We have specialist positions such as boats and medics, so that we have a full complement of skills across the Regiment.”As the Regiment re-evaluates its role, “what we do, we want done to the best level”, he said, investing more in particular roles for members, such as internal security or boat engineers.Enlistment for January’s boot camp started last night at Warwick Camp, and will continue this evening.Useful website:www.bermudaregiment.bm