HEY gang! Y'all know that I just spent two weeks in Jamaica with the Bermuda Regiment. While we were away, as happens from time to time, some people back home were questioning the value of having a Regiment, of sending troops to JA, and of many of the things we do. Well, I can tell you that there is value in having a Regiment, in sending troops on overseas exercises and in everything that we do.

However, you'll have to wait until after the Top 20 to read 'em.

Still at number one is So Sick, a banging down tempo joint by Ne-Yo. This joint has one of the sweetest melodies I've heard in some time. It's also quite catchy, bouncy, and you'll find yourself singing and/or humming it.

Holding on at number two is the kicking new joint from the Queen of R&B, Mary J Blige, entitled Be Without You. Mary J Blige is still belting out hits, nearly 20 years after she burst onto the scene.

In the number three spot is Feel Good Inc. by Gorillaz.

One of my army buddies told me that the guy behind the Gorillaz movement is Damon Alban, who was the lead singer of a British rock outfit entitled Blur, back in the '80s.

Kudos to him for creating something new, different and appealing at a time when most artists are simply recycling and sampling older tracks. Please indulge me as I tell you a bit about the Gorillaz.

Albarn formed the virtual cartoon rock band Gorillaz with Tank Girl creator Jamie Hewlett in 1999. With a decidedly ambiguous line-up, the group has released two full-length studio albums to date. Their music has featured contributions from DJ Danger Mouse, Simon Tong (who also played guitar for Blur in live performances), Miho Hatori, Sweetie Irie, De La Soul, MF Doom, Redman, Tina Weymouth (formerly of the Talking Heads), Neneh Chery, Rosie Wilson, Martina Topley-Bird, Dennis Hopper (yes, that Dennis Hopper - the Easy Rider actor/director and notorious Hollywood crash-and-burn case) and Ike Turner, among others. The Gorillaz have done well in both the United States and the United Kingdom with hits that include Clint Eastwood, Feel Good Inc., DARE and Dirty Harry.

At number four is Yo (Excuse me Miss) by Chris Brown. This joint is doing well in charts all over the world.

Beyonce's new joint, a collaboration with Slim Thug entitled Check On It, advances to number five.

Improving to number six this week is the new one by Dem Franchize Boyz featuring Lil Peanut and Charlay, entitled Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It.

Sorry, the new hit from Pop Queen Madonna, moves up to number seven. Falling to number eight is Hung Up, the monster dance/pop anthem from Queen of dance and pop, Madonna.

Slipping to number nine is a former essential new joint - Nasty Girl by The Notorious B.I.G., Nelly, Diddy, Jagged Edge and Avery Storm.

Dropping to number 10 is Jamie Foxx and Ludacris, with their hit single Unpredictable, which is all over the radio and nightspots.

Up to number 11 is Busta Rhymes' new hit - Touch It. Improving to number 12 is I'll Be Your Light, by Kristine W. Climbing to number 13 is I'm N Luv (Wit A Stripper) by T-Pain featuring Mike Jones.

Improving to number 14 is the new one from Keyshia Cole, entitled Love.

Now, shifting gears to dancehall. Temperature by Yardie Sean Paul moves up to number 15. I was driving to work this week and heard it on the radio. The beat stuck with me all morning; I was in Colonial Insurance getting the ride insured and was humming it to myself. You gotta love music Yardie and this one kicks. I love the killer beat.

Tumbling to number 16 is the latest from Canadian/Guyanian diva Deborah Cox - House is Not a Home. Slipping to number 17 is Rosabel's hot new hit, Rhythm Intoxication, which kicks.

Improving to number 18 this week is a big tune, Testify by Common.

Up to number 19 is Rodeo by Juvenile, a new one that is easing up the hip hop and R&B charts and getting increasing air play.

And rounding things out at number 20 this week is Grillz by Nelly featuring Paul Wall, Ali and Gip.

Now back to this week's word - the benefit of the Regiment.

I don't have enough space to adrress this issue properly.

However, I'll give you the short version. The Bermuda Regiment (BR) is one of few organisations where young Bermudian males see other Bermudian males in charge, in leadership positions. We have to watch this in Bermuda; the absence of Bermudian males in positions of authority. If our young men don't see or experience people like them leading organisations, they'll think that there is no hope or chance that they can ever run anything.

There aren't too many organisations in this country where Bermudian men, especially black men, are in leadership positions. A private soldier recently highlighted for me the disparity between the number of black soldiers in the Regiment and the number of black officers. This is another issue which I'll addressed at a later date. But iit has been that way since I joined. However, at least the officers are mostly all Bermudians. The message this sends to the motivated private soldier is, "Hey, if that Bermudian guy can become an officer, so can I".

The BR provides for many young Bermudian men the only form of discipline they have ever seen or with which they have ever been forced to comply. Years after they have left the army, having complained extensively about it during their service, most men admit that the army was good for them, helped them and they speak proudly about their service.

The BR provides for many their first trip off the island. If I have to convince you of the value of this, you need your head examined! Taking troops to places like Jamaica and Grenada offers intangibles that places like America, Canada and the UK cannot provide.

In Jamaica, troops are able to make a contribution which leaves the place a little better than they found it. Also, in places like the Caribbean, Bermudian soliders see people who are living with less material possessions than many of us in Bermuda.

This should make the Bermudian more appreciative of the things we have in Bermuda. However, the Bermudian troops should also learn that material wealth isn't the most important thing; for these people who have less are often happier, healthier, less obese, and have more of what's really important.

They tend to live healthier, walk more, grow their own foods, eat fresh vegetables and less meat. The kids WANT to go to school, they have a thirst and desire to learn to better themselves and prepare themselves for life. They appreciate what they have and often don't want the material affluence of the so-called "more developed" Western World.

They recognise that this affluence has led to many other problems in places like the US, Canada, UK and even Bermuda. The other thing these people have that Bermudians lack is national pride. We'll never have that, at least not the way we're living now. They know the words to their national song and stick together like concrete.

On the other hand, there are people in the Caribbean, South and Central America who are living like kings and queens, much larger than many of us in Bermuda. So while they have poverty, they also have extraordinary wealth in certain areas. When you do have some money in these places, it goes much farther than it does in Bermuda, where the cost of living is ridiculous. So, Bermuda, don't look down your noses at other countries; because in some ways, they are way better off than we are.

I'll conclude this dissertation about the benefits of the BR by posing a few questions. Who else is going to clean up the island after a hurricane or natural disaster? Who else is going to assist the Police in maintaining law and order if ever there was a serious civil disturbance or civil unrest? We all know that the Police Service is already stretched and can barely handle what they have on their plates now. Who else can provide musical displays, retreats and parades, which have become fixtures on the local calendar that have shaped our history and culture, and which both visitors and locals demand? These are but a few reasons why we need a Regiment.

I for one am a much better man for having served in such a prestigious organisation. I hope that my son has the honour and privilege of serving in the BR and I hope that ALL Bermudian men get to serve. Perhaps, instead of conscription in its present form, we should change the law so that ALL Bermudian men should be required by law to serve three years in the BR.

This would be much fairer then random selection and would silence those who ask why we don't just pick up the guys off the streets. This way, everyone would have to serve three years, with no exceptions. People with physical impediments can do jobs like sweeping, mopping, cooking, office work or something which doesn't further affect their impediment.

However, they shouldn't get away with not serving at all. After all, these people work or play somehow. Thus, we can find a job for them in the army.

Peace be with you ...