They arrive at Warwick Camp on the first day of Recruit Camp every January with some reluctance, sometimes late and often with attitudes.

But within days they begin to conform to the Bermuda Regiment requirements and soon are well on their way to becoming well trained and disciplined soldiers ready to serve their country.

Few come in willingly - as in volunteering - and most just want to get the three-year conscription over with so that they can get on with their lives free from military obligations.

For those who try to fight it, they will eventually lose as continued absenteeism will result in court appearances and possible a spell in prison.

And if the RPs (Regiment Police) get to you first, a stint in the lockup at Warwick Camp is similar to prison and helps to get the message across. The cells have such interesting names as Hamilton Princess, Ariel Sands, Grotto Bay, Club Med, The Reefs and Marriott but don't be fooled. Guests to that part of the compound aren't there to be treated like royalty.

In fact the camp itself doesn't make that claim, but the young men there - this year there are about 105 - are quickly adjusting.

"People are switching on already, it's amazing," said Capt. Stephen Caton, Second-in-Command of Training Company. "They know they have to get it done, they have no choice in the matter. The maximum we've ever had is 200 but because the Regiment is downsizing that number is also downsizing to some degree."

The new recruits are split up into three Platoons of 35 and over the two weeks of boot camp healthy competitions will develop between Platoons 7, 8 and 9. Earlier in the week Platoon 9 were leading the bathroom inspections.

"One of the training objectives when they first come through the gates is to instill confidence, pride, mental courage, physical courage...all to cultivate a strong sense of teamwork," said Lt. Lauren Smith, Commander of 9 Platoon. "When they first come through the gate none of them want to be here in the first place, simply because they are conscripted shoulders and have no interest in any form of a military organisation," explained Lt. Smith "What we do when they first come in is try to have them adapt to a sort of military organisation, by introducing all the aspects that form a military organisation such as discipline, training, whether it be conventional training or internal security training. Or practising drill movements for ceremonial parades.

"Once they are able to adapt that mode of thinking based on what the military is attempting to achieve, it all comes together at some point where they all bond and gel together as a team. Then they learn they are here to work together and achieve a goal that belongs to all of them, not just individually."

Lt. Smith can relate to how many of the new recruits are feeling as, about five years ago, he came through those same gate reluctantly.

"I'm going into my fifth year at the Regiment and I started as a recruit like they did," he reminds.

"One of the things I told them when they came through the gate is I was standing where they were five years ago and now five years later I'm now standing here. They can walk through the gate as Privates and walk back out of that gate as Lt. Colonel which is the highest rank in the Regiment. That gives them a sense that the Regiment offers various opportunities. At the pass out parade they will receive their first rank and then they will go on and come here next year as a section commander to train a group of eight people as they were trained the year before."

For a soldier intent on doing minimum time, Lt. Smith has since had six trips with the Regiment in five years with two more to come this year.

"I never wanted to be here, in fact I went before the tribunal hearing board to be excused and argued I had no interest in military training whatsoever and was completely against it altogether," said Lt. Smith. One of them said 'sorry Mr. Smith, I think you are officer material and I'm afraid you'll have to go to Recruit Camp whether you want to or not'. After the two-week camp I joined the Corporals' Cadre and have taken several trips with the Regiment overseas."

Captain David Curley, as Officer Commanding Training Company, oversees the training of the new recruits and is pleased with the way the soldiers are adapting. "They have really started to work together during military training as well as during the evenings by themselves," said Capt. Curley.

"They now know what they are responsible to do, such as uniform and kit out properly, as well as personal hygiene as well. There is no resistance whatsoever, they are all keen and quite eager to go.

"When I introduced myself to them I let them know what was required of them and what tools I had in order to attain a very high military standard."

In Monday's Lifestyle discover the role of the Regiment Police and how the recruits are looked after.