Cpl Simmons-Albouy & Pte du Preez - Video Series
Camaraderie and travel opportunities are high among reasons to join the Royal Bermuda Regiment, according to two soldiers who feature in the latest videos released by the defence force online.
Corporal Carl Simmons-Albuoy and Private Anél du Preez shared their views as the battalion invites residents to enlist ahead of a two-week foundational training camp next month.
The short films are part of a series being rolled out on YouTube and social media to shed light on what troops enjoy about the RBR.
Cpl Simmons-Albuoy, 28, joined the Regiment five years ago and has formed “some pretty cool friendships” with fellow soldiers.
The security worker from Sandys said: “I definitely think that comradery is a reason for people to sign-up, because you meet different people from all over the island. You make new friends and that’s always a good thing.
“Another thing I would tell people is to join for the trips. You’re getting paid to travel the world, so if you’re not one of those people who can take trips so often, this is one place that will definitely help you to see the world.”
Cpl Simmons-Albuoy, who is in the RBR’s B Company and has a seven-year-old son, was one of six soldiers to join members of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment in 2022, when they performed public duties at Royal sites in the UK.
The troops were prepared not only for the parade ground but also as back-up for police in the event of a security threat.
Cpl Simmons-Albuoy says in the video: “It was definitely an experience of a lifetime, I never would have thought I would have been stepping foot inside Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, St James’s Palace and Tower of London.”
He adds: “It definitely gave me a sense of pride, not just for me and my family but for my country as well.”
Pte Du Preez, 37, is an accountant in civilian life and joined the Regiment last year as a way to give something back to others.
While she enjoys assisting at community events and being prepared to act in the event of a major incident, the mother-of-two has also found her involvement with the RBR to be personally fulfilling.
The Southampton resident said: “The camaraderie among everyone in the Regiment is very rewarding.
“It has been rewarding seeing how helpful people are, and how everybody uplifts everyone else – they help each other out.”
Pte Du Preez, who is from South Africa and moved to the island three years ago, added: “I continue to improve myself by learning new skills and experiencing the travel opportunities that go with the Regiment, seeing other parts of the world, learning from as many people as I can.”
She said it has not been hard to balance her civilian employment and duties as an A Company soldier, explaining: “Most of the Regiment things are in the evening and over weekends, it doesn’t interfere with my full-time job.
“The only other thing is our two-week mandatory training that we complete each year but because that’s communicated well in advance I can let my employer know so that we can plan and my work is not affected while I’m away.
“In terms of home life, my two boys love that I’m in the Regiment. They’re very excited when I tell them that I’m going to Regiment and my husband is very supportive.”
Pte Du Preez added: “If anyone feels like they want to do this, and they might be a little bit unsure of whether they would be able to or not, just go for it and you will be surprised at what you can achieve.”
The RBR invites legal residents of Bermuda aged 18 to 52 to sign up to the Regiment ahead of the next recruit training package, which will run from February 11 to 23.
An enlistment night will be held from 6pm on February 1, which is the deadline for initiating the joining process.
- For more information or to join, visit bermudaregiment.bm or call 238-1045.