Some 66 new recruits began their training at the Royal Bermuda Regiment’s Warwick Camp this morning.

The recruits will be the first to train with the RBR’s new stock of SA-80 rifles and will learn new parade ground drills.

Dijon Arruda, 27, who works in hospitality at the Hamilton Princess, said his family connections to the RBR motivated him to join and that participation in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme had helped his fitness and given him a taste for adventure.

He said: “I grew up at Warwick Camp — my mom Cynthia was a corporal in headquarters and my great-uncle was the groundsman here.

“It’s about getting more fitness and more discipline. Depending on how it goes, I might pursue a career in the military. It’s always been there since I was young.

“I like a challenge and I want to push myself further than I think I can push myself. I also want to help my team mates.”

Zeko Rubaine, a truck driver from Devonshire, also said family connections to the Regiment had influenced his decision to sign up.

The 24-year-old added: “The Regiment is something new to try and a new experience. It’s all right — I can follow instructions.

“My uncle serves in the Regiment and he gave me the enthusiasm to join.”

Eddemiko Harris, 22, from Sandys, said he had wanted to join the Regiment when he was younger, but had moved overseas.

The assistant manager at a fast-food restaurant added: “I’m very much looking forward to it. I always wanted to be in the army — it’s the whole belonging to something and working as a team.”

Hairdresser Sediqua Darrell joined for the experience.

The 22-year-old said: “I want to learn different things. I was in the Cadets in 2012, so I thought I would try the Regiment. I think having been in the cadets will help.”

Newly-promoted Lieutenant Mark Prior, who only completed recruit camp himself three years ago, said he would be commanding one of the two recruit platoons over the two week camp.

Lt Prior, a firefighter in civilian life, said: “Looking back, it seems quite long ago, but really it’s not. I know what it feels like to be a recruit and I know what to look for.

“I’m looking forward to it. There’s an energy in the air. It’s a bit different this time because I’m a platoon commander now, but everybody is positive and the recruits have got a lot of enthusiasm.

“The troops are going to be tested and hopefully they push through it — diamonds are made under pressure.”

Regiment Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Michael Foster-Brown welcomed the new soldiers telling them, “as with all great endeavours you will get out of it what you put in”.

He added: “No one is here to make it unnecessarily difficult for you. No one wants to see you fail. We want you to succeed.”

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