The Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Bermuda Regiment today paid a visit to new recruits on their first field exercise.

Governor Rena Lalgie visited about 50 new soldiers as they got to grips with life on manoeuvres at Hog Bay Park in Sandys.

Ms Lalgie, who visited Warwick Camp last week, toured the area, watched the troops practise patrol techniques and fieldcraft and spoke to the recruits.

She said: “The Royal Bermuda Regiment plays an incredibly important role in keeping Bermuda safe and also in representing Bermuda abroad.”

Ms Lalgie praised the RBR for its hurricane response abilities and its service over the Covid-19 pandemic – its longest deployment outside wartime.

She said: “It’s quite clear to me that the people of Bermuda have a very strong trust in knowing that the Regiment is here as we head into another hurricane season.

“The last year has really reminded us this is not just a Regiment preparing for hurricanes. It’s helping in disasters and providing skills they continue to deploy in all sorts of circumstances we might find ourselves in.”

Ms Lalgie added: “I hope they go on to achieve not just in the Regiment, but in their civilian lives as well.”

Ms Lalgie’s visit followed a tour of Warwick Camp last week by David Burt, the Premier, and Renee Ming, the Minister of National Security, as the rookie soldiers were in their first few days of training.

The two also saw some of the equipment and trucks used by soldiers to cope with everything from hurricanes to Covid-19.

Mr Burt told the soldiers: “I am thrilled that 48 persons have chosen to serve in a very important part of Bermuda’s fabric.

“I want all of you to be proud of what you’ve done, to learn, and to know that you will always have the support of the Bermuda Government through your journey and into the future.”

RBR Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel Ben Beasley said the camp was the largest since conscription was abolished in 2018.

He added: “The quality of recruits continues to improve as we raise the standards of entry.”