Hundreds of young Bermudians have escaped military service in the last 35 years because officials have not been enforcing legislation.

The Royal Gazette has learnt the Defence Department has been giving reluctant Bermuda Regiment recruits a break by not pursuing them to the full extent of the law.

In the last 35 years the number of would-be soldiers who have stayed on "civvy street'' because of the relaxed rules has risen from five percent to up to 30 percent a year.

But now all that is set to change as the Defence Department gets tough with the draft dodgers.

It was known in Regiment ranks and the public that if a person did not show up to sign papers at conscription night, then they could get away from serving in the Regiment -- knowing that no action would be taken against them.

Regiment Adjutant Major Eddie Lamb agreed that was true in the past but no longer.

"Something will be happening to contend that,'' he said.

Administrator of the Defence Department, Larry Burchell explained that in the past eligible male Bermudians could escape service because the total number of men who dodged duty was at an acceptable level.

"Where in the past it was five percent, it is now something like 25 to 30 percent,'' he said.

"Those who simply do not show up will be dealt with.'' The Bermuda Regiment is powerless to approach those who do not show up on conscription night because those people are still civilians and subject to civil law.

Guilty parties are the responsibility of the Defence Department, who, in the past, have not used their powers to pursue hundreds of men who do not want to serve their country.

"These are people who take from society, and are not contributing their fair share, as according to the law,'' said Mr. Burchell.

Mr. Burchell outlined a plan whereby the offenders will be tracked down via birth records and other files.

"This information exists. These people own bikes, take vacations, and have jobs.'' Those who do skip national service are in violation of the Defence Act, which calls for the ranks to be filled with volunteers -- but compulsory service is always implemented because there are only usually a handful of volunteers.

Each year, the Regiment tries to acquire 400 young recruits to fill the ranks but only 320 are eligible to enter the pool -- and of those up to 30 percent are never seen in uniform.

The pool of recruits being drawn from has grown to 1,300 because of constant exemption and/or deferrment.

Men can be deferred for educational, medical, or employment reasons but are expected to renew their deferrment every year.

Men who are exempt from duty are normally not required to attend camp for the remainder of their lives, this would include conscientious objectors or those with religious complications, such as pacificists.

Recently its been noted a large number of men who skip duty contribute to the growing `pool' of those being drawn -- putting Bermudians in the firing line who might have escaped service.

Regiment to target `civvy street' draft dodgers If a person simply didn't show up for Regiment duties, then their name is continually added to the `pool' year after year.

Of the 1,300-man `pool', only 200 recruits will serve every year on average and that number will drop due to medical and educational responsibilities throughout the first year of Regiment duties.

It should be noted that if, during Regimental service, one is obligated to another educational, medical, or employment situation, they will be transferred to the inactive `Holding Company'.

Holding Company has 700 plus in its ranks.