Out of approximately 1,000 summoned to Warwick Camp for military service, under 100 have signed up, The Royal Gazette has learned.

Regiment Commander Lt. Col. Gibbons, while admitting the drastic shortfall is "cause for some concern", said he is "still optimistic" that the Regiment will get the numbers up.

After briefing Home Affairs Minister Terry Lister yesterday about the low numbers, Lt. Col. Gibbons said there will be "some new initiatives".

Ideas include expanding the numbers and roles of women and using the reserves, he said.

In order to function effectively the Regiment needs to have between 200 and 300 recruits.

Hundreds of young men continue to shun the service, despite the threat of prosecution.

The Regiment has recently sought to change its public image with several high-publicity events and threats of prosecution.

Defence Department administrator Larry Burchall began prosecuting after recruit numbers continued a five-year nosedive.

Fewer than 50 were prosecuted this year, nine the year before and some Regiment personnel are doubtful numbers will increase.

The last four Recruit Camps have seen weak numbers, with the Regiment trying to get 200 or more a year to fill the depleting ranks based on a slumping retention rate.

Mr. Burchall told The Royal Gazette that most conscripts leave the Regiment after the mandatory three-year, two-month term of service and a priority would be placed on keeping the senior privates in the army.

Recruit Camp 1998 saw 182 graduates, in 1999 the number fell by 32 recruits and in 2000, 160 recruits passed through Warwick Camp's annual basic training.

In addition, 100 soldiers were displaced in 2000 by a Regiment review - which advised the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs that "there should be a reduction by one company of 100 men".

At Recruit Camp 2001, which took place in January, 90 conscripts were in Warwick Camp when the programme started and 13 more trickled into camp throughout the day.

Out of 377 conscripts called up for service, 103 were counted the first day. That number fluctuated as more arrived or others fell ill and were deferred until next year.

Mr. Burchall began threatening to prosecute after recruit camp but many escaped. Last year, only nine were ever convicted of shunning the call-up - six are in military service, one was found unfit, one was deferred and another was ordered to start in 2002.

Other efforts to beef up numbers included Mr. Burchall placing registration sheets in high schools in March of this year.

At the same time, Regiment commanding officer Lt. Col. David Gibbons began work to change the unit's public image. An example of such an effort was an attempted second recruit camp at the US Marine base Camp Lejuene in North Carolina.

Other efforts included the recent awarding of the Corps Warrant, implementation goal changes such as looking into an expanded full-time maritime troop, media coverage of training exercises and a renewed press/military relationship.

Several minor incidents disrupted these efforts, such as recent public disapproval of some Regiment soldiers conduct during September 11 state of alert, and embodiement for Hurricane Erin.