Bermuda Regiment's part-time soldiers have been issued with live bullets for their security duties in Barbados which started this week.

The Bermuda Regiment has sent 27 volunteers as part of an international security detail in Bridgetown, Barbados for the Cricket World Cup.

Major Stephen Caton said the recruits had undergone four months training before being given the 5.56 millimetre cartridges for their Mini Ruger semi-automatic rifle.

It is the first time the regiment has deployed for an internal security operation overseas.

Live ammunition has been issued for three internal security operations in Bermuda in the last 25 years — the last time being for September 11.

Asked if recruits were nervous about carrying live bullets Maj. Caton said: "No, not at all."

He said it was unlikely the recruits would have to fire and he said they were fully aware of the terms of engagement which had been agreed with Barbados but which will not be made public.

Maj. Caton said it was more likely the recruits would have to use rubber bullets for crowd control.

After getting to know the country the deployment began in earnest on Wednesday and the troops will be returning on Tuesday, April 24. The Trinidad and Tobago Police and Guyana Defence Force will also be assisting with security in Barbados at the same time.