Stormy field exercise challenges new soldiers during training

New Royal Bermuda Regiment (RBR) recruits faced stormy weather and mock confrontations with enemy targets when they took to the field for a test of their mettle this week.

The cohort of 22, joined by 12 people from the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Regiment, embarked on Exercise First Encounter, which combines instruction with a scenario-based patrol activity.

They left Warwick Camp yesterday [Monday] for a training area on the South Shore, where the rookie soldiers learnt about hand signals, camouflage and concealment, duties of a sentry and methods of movement.

Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled across the South Shore as recruits carried out a nighttime observation exercise and established a harbour area.

The troops spent a night under the stars before further instruction this morning [Tuesday] on firing from different positions.

Their new skills were put to the test with the patrol exercise, during which they were asked to react to the presence of an enemy and make use of cover to appropriately return fire.

Sgt McLaren Smith, the exercise conducting officer, said: “The purpose was to take the soldiers a stage further with everything that they’ve learned over the past 24 hours; this was their confirmation exercise.”

He explained that by simulating a battle environment, the troops could be tested on how they respond under pressure.

“For recruits, they did fairly well,” Sgt Smith added. “There was some hesitancy, but they got through their drills.

“They’ve come a long way since they started almost ten days ago.”

Recruit Yaiisa Russell, from Warwick, joined the RBR to challenge herself and do something different.

The 21-year-old said that the rigours of training combined with lack of sleep were physically demanding but she is enjoying a sense of achievement.

Of her time in the field, she added: “We camped out and there was a thunderstorm, so that was a lot. We set up our tents, stayed the whole night, which was a very original experience.

“The storm was horrendous, but we just had to persevere.”

Ms. Russell believes that troops have already increased their resilience and ability to cope with challenging circumstances.

TCI Regiment recruit Nikito Balbuena, 25, said that by enlisting he hoped to “upgrade” his life.

“Really I just love the military,” he added. “It has been a little tough – very tiring, very taxing but I’m trying to push through it.”

Mr. Balbuena said: “I can say I was a bit relaxed up to this point, now I think I’m on point. I’m always ready for anything.”

RBR recruit Christian Smith, 31, from St George’s, has enjoyed the structure and organisation of regimental life, as well as fitness-related activities.

“I like the bleep test, the push-ups, even the battle run – anything physical,” he said.

Activities scheduled for Wednesday include a personal fitness assessment and live firing on the range at Warwick Camp, with a foot drill test on the agenda for Thursday.

• For information on joining the Royal Bermuda Regiment, visit rbr.bm, call 238-1045 or contact the Recruiting Team at rbr.recruiting@gov.bm.