THE BERMUDA Regiment's Private Wendell Lovell completed his mandatory three years and two months at Warwick Camp in February 2003. He describes his first tour of duty in the army in these gloomy terms: "I forced myself to complete it."

After his Regiment stint, he bounced around in a number of jobs in the capacity of a tradesperson, but couldn't quite find his niche. Pte. Lovell is good at maths, physics and especially good with his hands ? he can do basic masonry, carpentry, plumbing, tiling and electrical work.

However, he just couldn't get stuck into a career.

In November 2005, he happened upon his cousin, Major Wayne Smith, who encouraged him to come back to the army.

Pte. Lovell responded: "Why, what does the army have for me?"

Major Smith proceeded to tell him about a new Student Soldier Initiative that the Regiment had started in conjunction with the Bermuda College, whereby an eligible soldier can have his education, tuition and books paid for by the Regiment.

The Student Soldier Initiative aims to:

Address the retention of soldiers issue by encouraging soldiers to stay in the Regiment beyond the mandatory three years and two months.

Attract young people to the Regiment.

Show the community that the Regiment offers great opportunities (in this case free education).

Teach life skills to soldiers.

Highlight the great work that is being done at the Bermuda College and maximise its utilisation

The programme piqued Pte. Lovell's interest so he called his cousin's bluff and said: "OK, where do I sign up?"

However, this is deeper than just calling a bluff. Pte. Lovell, a born-again Christian, had been praying for a way to finance going back to school.

"Ever since I left the Bermuda College back in 2000, having not completed the degree programme that I started, I had been asking God to find a way for me to go back to the College to finish my degree," said the 27-year-old student soldier.

"A lot of people, including elders in my church, discouraged me and said that I was finished, no good.

"However, the Lord still had his hand on me, kept me up, told me to wait on him and he would make a way out of no way. This is just the beginning; even greater things than this will he do. God has told me this," he continued.

So, over the Christmas holiday Major Smith made the necessary arrangements with the Regiment, the Bermuda College and the Ministry of Labour, Home Affairs & Public Safety, so that Pte. Lovell could become the first participant in the Student Soldier Programme.

After several telephone calls, visits to the College and the Regiment, on January 10 Pte. Lovell attended his first class.

Pte. Lovell is currently taking Maths, English and Strategies for Adult Success, with a view to completing an associate's degree and later a bachelor's degree.

"I am doing quite well, enjoying the classes, making the most of it, taking the tutorial programmes, aced my first math test last night, and I'm in the process of writing an essay on the goodness of Bermuda and its people," added Pte. Lovell.

However, the plot thickens. Not only is Pte. Lovell enjoying being a student, he has found a renewed energy and love for the Bermuda Regiment. In order to qualify for the Student Soldier Programme, Pte. Lovell had to re-enlist into the Bermuda Regiment. But, realising that he was short of funds, Pte. Lovell offered himself up to work during the just completed Recruit Camp 2006.

Pte. Lovell worked with Quartermaster's Company and A Company, assisting as range staff. "I set up the ranges, gave a demonstration to the new recruits, packed up the ranges and helped out wherever the Regiment needed me. I am now striving for excellence", said Pte. Lovell.

But it doesn't end there.

After helping out during Recruit Camp, Pte. Lovell called Major Smith and said: "I would like to join Corporals Cadre. Is this possible?"

The Corporals Cadre is an intensive six-month course designed to train and fast-track the best and brightest new recruits to become Section Commanders, who will lead sections of up to 12 soldiers and hopefully, eventually become senior commanders in the Regiment.

"We normally start with about 60-70 soldiers and by June, when they go on their Final Training Assessment overseas, we have about 40 and we might graduate around 35 at the passing out parade in July", said Major Marc Telemaque, Company Commander, Training Company. "We welcome Pte. Lovell into the Cadre."

Pte. Lowell said he viewed the Regiment programme as a welcome second chance, an opportunity to turn his life around after some serious youthful mistakes.

"In December of 1998, I was sentenced to three years' incarceration at the Co-Ed Correctional Facility, for a number of stealing, breaking and entering offenses. I couldn't find a job and I was trying to help my family.

"But since I was 19, I was transferred to the Westgate Correctional Facility, then I went to the Prison Farm and I was released from the Transitional Living Centre in 2001," reflected Pte. Lovell. "So, five years ago I was incarcerated but by the grace of God, the sky is now the limit for me," he continued.

"I want to use this opportunity to encourage and motivate young people to strive for excellence and to make the most of every opportunity presented to them. Put God first and he will make the difference", said Pte. Lovell.

Major Smith, who was Pte. Lovell's Company Commander in A Company during Pte. Lovell's first tour of duty with the Regiment, reflected on his cousin's service: "He wasn't the best soldier, but then again he wasn't the worst.

"We had some issues with him but he did his three years and two months. I am proud of him for coming back to the army and I wish him well. It seems that this time he intends to take full advantage of everything the Regiment has to offer.

"I am especially delighted that he has joined the Cadre ? that speaks volumes. So despite what some of the Regiment's opponents may say, the Regiment continues to provide excellent service to this country and we continue to turn around the lives of many young males."

Pte. Lovell joined the Cadre last night for his first drill night and he looks forward to the training, the trip overseas in June and to becoming a Section Commander. Pte. Lovell also intends to travel with the Regiment to Jamaica on its annual overseas camp in March.

Lt. Col. Eddie Lamb, Commanding Officer , had this to say about Pte. Lovell: "This young man has done what we hope others will do; see the positives in the Regiment and use the Regiment to improve themselves. I wish him well in both his military and civilian careers."