The Bermuda Regiment is looking into the possibility of holding a second recruit camp this year at a US Marine training facility.

The Regiment's normal recruit camp is held in January at the Warwick Camp military barracks but in a move to make up for low recruit numbers this year, Regiment commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel David Gibbons is researching the feasibility of a late recruit camp.

"We're investigating the possibility of a mini-second Recruit Camp which will be intended to run in parallel with our Regimental overseas two-week camp in North Carolina, Camp Lejeune,'' said Lt. Col. Gibbons.

Elements of the Regiment's established units will be training at the same US Marine base during the mini-recruit camp.

The operation of two large-scale exercises could tax the finite resources of the Bermuda Regiment but Lt. Col. Gibbons said the US Marines were willing to assist.

"We know that we have the willingness from the Marines to assist us -- the primary issue is the availability of an additional number of experienced instructors,'' Lt. Col. Gibbons said.

"We need a minimum number to be able to create a realistic training atmosphere to build on teamwork and train basic recruits up to the level that we achieve during the recruit camp in January.

"We have to make sure we have enough numbers to run a demanding and challenging second recruit camp.'' Lt. Col. Gibbons said the training syllabus will mirror the normal recruit camp except where facilities dictate. For example he said that swimming may not be in the North Carolina programme.

And the Regiment commander is hoping volunteers from within the ranks will step forward to take charge of the "mini-recruit camp''.

"We have put out requests for those individuals who do not already have a commitment in the overseas camp and would like to be involved.

"It will be a combination of those individuals who did Recruit Training Team (soldiers who taught recruit camp) this year or the year before and senior NCOs (non-commissioned officers i.e. sergeants, colour sergeants and warrant officers) and officers.'' When the 20 to 50 recruits return from the training excursion, they will fall under the chain of command of Training Company and resume the regular training syllabus with those conscripts who underwent Recruit Camp at Warwick Camp.

But Lt. Col. Gibbons parried questions on the difference in training at different facilities -- a modern US Marine Corps facility and the aged Warwick Camp.

"I think that's difficult to answer. It's the first time we are doing this.

We will need to learn from the experience and compare the results of the local recruit camp,'' he said.

And the Regiment commander said the military has also begun as appeal for women to enlist.

When asked why, Lt. Col. Gibbons said: "I think we are redefining the roles of the Regiment as per the review.

"We're looking to increase our numbers. In the 1980s, we had a strong contingent of women which was an asset to the Regiment and Bermuda.

"We want women to fill in all positions -- front-line and support as well as officers and senior NCOs.'' Lt. Col. Gibbons said the Bermuda Regiment has approximately 12 women officers and that anyone with questions can contact Colour Sergeant Corra Bean at Warwick Camp.