Troops at the Royal Bermuda Regiment reflected on personal growth and the benefits of military life after their first week of foundational training.

A RBR spokeswoman said that the rookies were building discipline and pushing their limits as they embraced the challenges of recruit camp.

She added: “The soldiers, now more than halfway through their intensive training, have spent the past week immersed in a packed schedule of lessons, drills and early morning workouts.

“For many, the experience has pushed them beyond their comfort zones and towards greater personal development.”

Private Tiquann Pieroni, 31, joined the regiment to develop himself.

“My reason for enlisting was to build up more of a character for myself, a stronger mindset of discipline, because I have a bad habit of procrastination,” he said.

The warehouse manager from Sandys added: “It will give me a better focus for sticking to one direction in terms of what I want to do and where I want to go.”

Private Pieroni, one of 24 recruits who started training on February 9, noted that he was already seeing improvements.

He said: “I’ve built up more endurance and my patience has become better.”

Private Kira Dill, from Devonshire, said that she sees the recruit camp as an opportunity to grow.

The 21-year-old explained: "I want to prove to myself that I’m capable of anything, capable of tough or hard things.

“I see the benefits of being here because I care about serving my country.

“I also believe this will help my discipline, make me more responsible and make me wiser.”

Private Jonathan Lozada first experienced military life as a cadet with the regiment in 2004.

Two decades later, the 38-year-old returned to gain a fresh perspective.

He said: “What I’ve enjoyed most is the fitness. I do a lot of running, so that’s been one of my favourite parts, as well as the marching.

“Of course, the food has been very good as well.”

Private Lozada, a kitchen porter from Southampton, added: “To have friends who have been here for 15, 20, 25 years — it’s breathtaking. It brings back memories.”

Second Lieutenant Shane Helberg, the recruits’ platoon commander, acknowledged that the first week presented challenges but emphasised the importance of teamwork.

“The most important thing they need to learn is to help each other out — that’s what we’re trying to get across: don’t leave a man behind,” he said.

“That’s more important than anything else, so they need to grasp that, it’s the teamwork element.”

The regiment spokeswoman said that to balance the intensity of training, the recruits enjoyed a sports evening on Saturday.

• For more information or to join the Royal Bermuda Regiment, visit rbr.bm or call 238-1045