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Highlighting opportunities and challenges of regiment life

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Corporal Ahmed Hill of the Royal Bermuda Regiment (Photograph supplied)

Serving soldiers have highlighted the opportunities within the Royal Bermuda Regiment as the deadline to enlist in the next recruit camp draws near.

Prospective soldiers can attend an enlistment night at Warwick Camp at 6pm on Thursday to sign up for a place in the February 11 camp.

All legal residents aged 18 to 52 are eligible.

Colour Sergeant Patricia Woolridge of the Royal Bermuda Regiment (Photograph supplied)

Colour Sergeant Patricia Woolridge, a mother of one, who hails from Paget, encouraged anyone considering joining to “do something different”.

She added: “The regiment may be a place that you’re not used to but it’s a space where you will be safe — it’s a family.

“The environment can be very rewarding if you only take that step outside of your box.

“If you only experience things that you’re already familiar with then you will never know anything new, so take a chance, step out, just try it.”

Colour Sergeant Woolridge is commander of the RBR’s medical unit and a senior business analyst in civilian life.

The 36-year-old is among soldiers featured in a series of online videos spotlighting what the regiment offers.

She has served for about 13 years and enjoys training troops.

“It’s nice to see people grow,” she said.

“Maybe you felt like someone had potential, then you see them get promoted and it’s confirmed that the potential was there.

“For me, it’s nice to see that kind of progression.”

Corporal Laurent Wellman of the Royal Bermuda Regiment (Photograph supplied)

Corporal Laurent Wellman, 26, is also in the videos on YouTube.

The father of one, who works at the Hamilton docks, joined the RBR in 2016 after a few years as a cadet.

Corporal Wellman, from Sandys, said he had stayed largely for the camaraderie.

He urged residents thinking about enlisting to have an open mind.

“If you’re looking for something that will challenge you, teach you new things, give you some action and stimulate your mind in all the right ways, join the regiment.”

In the video, Corporal Wellman notes that a highlight of his military career was deployment to the Turks and Caicos Islands in 2017 as part of Britain’s Operation Ruman, to carry out disaster relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Irma.

He said: “Working alongside our soldiers, as well as Royal Marines, getting to experience a different island, how they operate — it was nice, I enjoyed it.”

Also in the videos is Corporal Ahmed Hill, from St George’s, who joined the regiment in 2013.

He moved to the RBR Coast Guard unit in 2022, where he is now among the unit’s full-time personnel.

The 33-year-old said: “Being in the regiment, you always test yourself.

“It’s a nice test; if you want to push yourself, it’s a nice challenge to do.

“You can always make a career out of it.”

The upcoming RBR recruit camp will run until February 23.

For more information or to join, visit the regiment website or call 238-1045.

• UPDATE: this article has been updated to include the RBR videos

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Published January 31, 2024 at 7:53 am (Updated January 31, 2024 at 7:53 am)

Highlighting opportunities and challenges of regiment life

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