initiative launched by the Defence Department administrator.

Larry Burchall told The Royal Gazette last winter that he will stop dodgers and increase the numbers at the Bermuda Regiment.

This draft is the first on Mr. Burchall's shift as civilian head of the defence department.

The Bermuda Regiment relies on the draft to fill its ranks every year but has got less recruits each year.

Folklore in and out of the Regiment suggested that if a draftee simply did not sign the paper or show up for medical evaluation, they would not have to attend Regiment at all.

It proved right because lax procedures allowed dodgers to walk away from service.

Since dodgers did not sign the papers or undergo medical evaluation, the Bermuda Regiment was not able to go after them, said former Adjutant Major Eddie Lamb.

"They're still civilians so we can't do anything.'' The Regiment can only prosecute soldiers and not dodgers who are technically still civilians.

Mr. Burchall, a former Captain in the Regiment, insisted that dodgers will serve.

"We will be applying a lot of pressure -- investigations, checking,'' he said.

There will be three scheduled sign-ups this year and those who fail to show will be tracked.

"These people own cars, bikes -- have jobs and go on vacation,'' Mr. Burchall said earlier in the year.

Recently, the Regiment has only been able to pull an average of 140 soldiers from the draft.

Legislation calls for 400 men a year. Although a large number may defer, be exempted, fail training or be rejected, such a loss in numbers could not be rightly accounted for.