The Bermuda Regiment's annual two-week boot camp for new recruits ended this weekend and more than 90 newly trained soldiers were reunited with families and friends.

Major Brian Gonsalves, the Regiment's Recruit Training Team (RTT) commander spoke with The Royal Gazette last night and reported that the camp had been very successful.

He said "... this year the guys left with high morale and the camaraderie was great.'' He said a few of the recruits were apprehensive at first but they soon started to work together as a team in what he described as the greatest natural melting pot on the Island.

Recruits were lucky to escape the rain showers yesterday afternoon and Maj.

Gonsalves said the difference between this year and previous years' weather was "like night and day.'' He said: "Last year it was very cold and wet and it rained for most of the two weeks, but this year it rained the first Tuesday, and the weather has been good since then.'' Maj. Gonsalves said that although all recruits were accounted for, they were undermanned by more than 50 percent, as 130 people had not enlisted.

He said Saturday was the finale of the camp when friends and parents were invited in to watch recruits pit their newly-learnt skills against each other in competitions that lasted all day.

Competition included each platoon running the assault course, shooting, as well as an inter-platoon drill competition followed by a prize giving ceremony.

Prizes were presented to Seven Platoon for winning the drill competition, as well as the overall competition, and prizes for the best recruit and best section commander went to Private Hunt of Ten Platoon, and Lance Corporal Smith of Seven Platoon respectively.

Recruits held their traditional party on Saturday night to celebrate the end of boot camp and Maj. Gonsalves said they all had a great time with each platoon performing a skit, and prize winners drinking their winnings.

Yesterday was largely an administration day when recruits were paid, barrack rooms cleaned, and new soldiers completed the annual five-mile march.

Training company was accompanied by the Regiment Band as they marched down Camp road to Middle road, around Barnes corner and back up South Shore to the camp.

Maj. Gonsalves said onlookers were scattered all along the route, which took an hour and a half to complete, and by 12.15 the two-week camp was over and recruits dismissed.

"All the friends and family were waiting at the gate and guys were dashing out,'' said Maj. Gonsalves.

And he wished to remind all soldiers that they are required to return to camp on February 1, at 6.45 p.m., but the potential NCO Cadre should return on January 29.