Soon-to-retire Bermuda Regiment Commanding Officer (CO), Lt. Col. Patrick Outerbridge, did not want to join the Island's part-time army.

But now -- after more than 20 years at Warwick Camp and a career that saw him rise from conscripted private soldier to Lt. Col. and commander -- he does not regret his decades in uniform.

Lt. Col. Outerbridge said: "Initially, I couldn't believe I was conscripted.

I wasn't happy about it, but I showed up and over the two weeks of boot camp I made some good friends.

"It was that friendship with those guys that made me go for my corporal's stripes.'' He added: "I've done my bit and I've made it to the top. Over the years, I came to enjoy it.'' Lt. Col. Outerbridge, who joined up in 1978, has served as CO for nearly three years -- and said he was looking forward to being able to spend more time with his family.

He added: "I won't say I'll miss it, but I'll take some fond memories of the Regiment with me.'' Lt. Col. Outerbridge said the highlights of his command included attempts to modernise training and make the Regiment more attractive for young Bermudians, as well as boosting the Regiment Reserve.

He added that he had introduced emergency medical training for privates and hoped that programme would continue.

Lt. Col. Outerbridge said: "I wanted to implement changes, not personnel changes, but changes in the way we train and areas in which we train and to get people constantly looking for new ideas.

"That hasn't come about as quickly as I thought, which was disappointing. As a training staff, we need to always be looking for ways to improve the challenge for young guys who are conscripted and don't want to be here.

"I'm a firm believer that we need to give the soldier something in his hand -- teach him a trade.

"They still have to do drill and basic training, but we should make them want to come to Warwick Camp.'' Lt. Col. Outerbridge admitted there had been some resistance from traditionalists for cutting down on drill in favour of more advanced skills training in boot camp and introducing team exercises where recruits had to work together.

But he said: "Interviewing the private soldiers after the two weeks and on what they liked about camp most, that was top of the list.

"And through that exercise you tend to identify future leaders -- leaders step forward suddenly.'' But modernisation of training -- in line with UK military practice -- was not the only battle Lt. Col. Outerbridge had during his time in command.

Regiment insiders claimed that the Officers' Mess had split along racial lines and that white officers were being favoured over black ones -- a charge strongly denied by Lt. Col. Outerbridge.

Lt. Col. Outerbridge said: "That was unfortunate and very disappointing. It's gone now. It's past and I think we will find it was never the case. The officers I promoted were already promoted to an acting rank by my predecessor.

Nobody was superseded and I hope these chaps can look forward to the future.'' "That's disappointing -- disgraceful -- that someone in this camp can have a meal next to you, be in a trench next to you, but behind the battalion's back is bad-mouthing an organisation he, or they, are part of. It's disgraceful.'' Former CO, Lt. Col. David Burch also weighed into the row, using his Government seat in Senate to call for changes at the top at Warwick Camp.

Lt. Col. Outerbridge said: "It was disappointing and it caught me off guard -- but he's entitled to his political view and that's what politicians do.'' Lt. Col. Outerbridge is standing down a few months early to allow successor Major David Gibbons to be fully in charge when a long-awaited review of the Regiment is revealed. Government are likely to opt for shorter conscription, an expanded marine role and more emphasis on modern training.

"I've heard they are considering shorter conscription and down-sizing the Regiment. What will be interesting is that the training will probably be directed more towards natural and man-made disasters,'' said Lt. Col.

Outerbridge.

"I'd like to see more oil spill training, for example, and we could work with the Fire Service, operate their tenders, get a working knowledge of what other agencies do.'' And he added: "I suppose I'd like to be remembered as an officer who was approachable, that the private soldier does not have to feel intimidated about coming up and having a talk with me.

"In any overseas trip, I'm with the soldiers. I take my kit and backpack and that's where a commanding officer should be -- with his troops and doing what they're doing.

"I'm happy I started the Reserves again and I hope they keep that going.

They're helping out at weekends, filling the ranks when sergeants are off on vacation. I just hope it expands and continues.'' And he advised his successor: "Be prepared to listen. Listen to advice.

That's about it. Take time to listen to the soldiers, take in what they're saying. I'm not suggesting you have to implement what they say, but we do have to listen.

"But I know Major Gibbons will do that because he's that sort of officer himself. He'll be a very good commanding officer.'' Changing of the guard: Lt. Col. Patrick Outerbridge inspects Warwick Camp prior to his retirement as Bermuda Regiment Commanding Officer.