New Soldiers Urge Others to Join the Royal Bermuda Regiment
- Published in News
"If you're on the fence, that means you already want to do it—so just do it."
That’s the advice from Private Malik Richards, one of three new soldiers who completed the Royal Bermuda Regiment’s recruit camp last week and are urging others to take the challenge. After nearly two weeks of intensive training—including drill, weapons handling, and teamwork exercises—the new recruits are celebrating their success and encouraging others to step forward.
Private Romell Bourne, 37, said completing the course felt like an achievement he once thought was out of reach. The mental health nurse from Devonshire explained, “One of the things I definitely learned was time management because that is a major thing in the army; and discipline, lots of discipline.”
He was also pleasantly surprised by the support system within the Regiment. “During my time in camp, I was really surprised by the staff. Everyone was approachable, welcoming, and willing to mentor us. They showed us where we went wrong and helped us make corrections. That was really heartwarming—especially compared to what you see on TV, where it’s all shouting. You still get shouted at, but it’s constructive—it’s to help you get things right.”
Encouraging others to enlist, he said, “Give it a go. Don’t doubt yourself, even if you have fears that you won’t make it. You’d be surprised at what you can do. Take it day by day, and it will become easier. You’ll have the staff to mentor and support you, and it will shape you into a better person. It has real benefits beyond the Regiment, even in your civilian life.”
Private Sophia Card, 18, from Pembroke, also completed the camp and felt a great sense of accomplishment. The Front Yard server emphasized the importance of teamwork. “It’s not easy to go through things alone, so it’s great to meet new people and work as a team.”
She urged anyone considering enlistment: “Definitely do it—it’s a great experience. You meet a lot of new people and gain a lot of new skills.”
Private Malik Richards, 26, an assistant planner with the Department of Planning, was amazed at how much recruits could achieve in such a short time. “The biggest surprise was how quickly everybody grasped everything that was taught. We really didn’t have a lot of time to revise or catch up, so it was impressive to see how well everyone picked things up.”
His advice to anyone on the fence about joining? “If you’re thinking about it, it means you already want to do it—so just do it.”
