The newest recruits to the Royal Bermuda Regiment have successfully completed two weeks of tough training.

The rookie soldiers battled a range of challenges over Recruit Camp – and said they looked forward to continuing their military education.

Private Keijah Lee,18, said he joined the RBR straight after graduation from the Berkeley Institute in Pembroke.

He added: “I really enjoyed the camp – it was an eye opener for me. I just went 18 and I’m trying to experience new things.

“It really showed me how to be disciplined and prepared me for the real world, I think. It really showed me some valuable life lessons.”

Pte Lee, from Pembroke, told young potential recruits: “If you’ve just gone 18 and you don’t know what you’re going to do with your life as of yet, I suggest you join as soon as possible because it really teaches you a lot.

“You learn a lot and see what you want to do in your life.”

He added the three year commitment would “fly by really fast” and give young soldiers a better idea of what they wanted to do with their lives – as well as being paid in the meantime.

Shanyea Trott, 43, said she had often thought about service in the RBR over the years – and the Covid-19 pandemic had spurred her into signing up.

Pte Trott, from St George’s, who works at the Bermuda International Eye Institute, explained: “After a whole year of Covid and doing nothing basically, I thought that this would be a good place to come and find something new and see if I can find a new way to do something different in my life.”

She admitted the experience had tested her – and forced her to confront some personal fears.

Pte Trott said: “It’s been tough – more than I expected a few times. I wondered what I had gotten myself into and if I was going to make it.”

She added she had to face her fear of enclosed spaces – and won the battle, with the encouragement of her platoon instructors.

Pte Trott said: “That support is what got me through.”

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The two were speaking after 22 soldiers passed out from the second recruit camp of the year last weekend.

Pte Ranasinha Arachchige, 32, who works for Atlantic Cleaning & Maintenance, added Recruit Camp had been a “really amazing” experience and that he had enjoyed the firearms and foot drill training.

Pte Arachige, from Warwick, but originally from Sri Lanka, said: “You can feel the changing of your life. The best thing is the time management…they teach to manage your time.”

Pte Antoine Augustus, a former member of the Bermuda Cadet Corps, now the RBR Junior Leaders, said his previous experience had helped.

The 37-year-old Sargasso Sea delivery driver from Paget, added he had enjoyed the physical training the most.

He added: “Weapons training was pretty good and I knew a little bit of it – it’s a fun time. You meet great friends, you enjoy yourself.”