One soldier has nothing but praise for the Bermuda Regiment for shaping and structuring the lives of young men.

The supporter insisted the Regiment is something the individual can make the best of and develop skills for use in life.

"As in all things in life, it's what you make of it. I too could have complained and moaned,'' he said.

"Every facet of life depends on the effort you put in it.'' He said evidence of the Regiment's commitment to professionalism and improving the soldier is embodied in the Junior NCO Corps.

"The Regiment does teach leaders, as you can tell in the Junior NCOs that are trained every year.'' Speaking on a more personal side, he claimed the Regiment teaches valuable, practical skills that are used in every day life -- and those skills can be used to advance in life.

"It teaches time management, punctuality, teamwork and initiative. The higher up you go, the more these skills become evident.'' The supporter concurred that in order to get the most out of the Regiment, one has to join the chain of command and rise up.

One outspoken conscript called the Regiment a form of slavery, but the supporter claims people could, and do, far worse by themselves.

"They enslave themselves when they dabble with drugs then develop anti-social behaviour after prison.'' He said the 1965 Defence Act was the framework for the Regiment, while Standing Orders and Standard Operating Procedures, provided guidance.

He called upon soldiers to identify with those pieces of literature, saying there is a method to approach the chain of command with concerns.

The supporter commended the Regiment, saying: "I have used those skills everyday of life.'' Standing orders of the Bermuda Regiment make it illegal for any man to speak with the media, under threat of $2,250 fine and/or three months imprisonment.

The Royal Gazette cannot reveal the identity of any soldier it speaks with under the condition of anonymity.