The Bermuda Regiment

Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory 7 hours from the UK in the North Atlantic, at the same latitude as South Carolina, but with a sub tropical climate. It is 21 Square miles, has a population of 63,000 and was founded in 1609. The history of Bermuda is inextricably bound up with that of the military, as evident by the more than 90 forts and bases built over 400 years – equating to four every mile. Amongst the fi rst stone buildings were forts manned by the civilian population (reminiscent of our current citizen soldiers) and the strategic importance of the Island became such that in due course thousands of soldiers and sailors were based in what was known at the ‘Gibraltar of the West’.

The Bermuda Regiment are the successors of that history, which includes the sacrifi ce of those Bermudians who served with distinction in both world wars, 80 or whom died in the Great War, whose 100th anniversary is this year. The Regiment is just over 450 strong, with a mixture of full-time staff, part-time soldiers, volunteers and conscripts. It is based around a reserve light role infantry battalion, but has specialist capabilities including a police focused Operational Support Unit (OSU), Boat troop, Assault Pioneers, a cadet organisation and a Band.

The Regiment’s mission is: to support the Civil Authority with the security of Bermuda, its people, property, livelihood and interests in order to maintain normality. This in turn is broken down into four main roles: 1. Disaster relief (natural & man made), state ceremonial activity and specialist support to the Bermuda Police Service; 2. Internal security (riot control and key point defence); 3. Social cohesion; and 4. Regional and international support. It has deployed locally and regionally on operational ‘embodiment’ on average every 2 years since its formation in its current guise in 1965.

The Regiment is the only military force in Bermuda and is affi liated to, but not part of, the British Army. Operationally, our Commander-in-Chief is His Excellency the Governor, who has the constitutional responsibility for Security, but the funding of the Regiment comes through the Ministry of National Security (budget currently $6.9M). The Regiment, has very close links with the British Army, and follows British military doctrine, dress, ceremonial drill and other areas of best practice. It received the ‘Corps Warrant’ in 2000 and a number of key posts are held by former British military personnel, and unusually the current CO is a serving British Army Offi cer. The majority of our career training courses take place in the United Kingdom, including offi cer training at RMAS and the Regiment retains a historic link with the Royal Anglian Regiment, which dates back to WW1 and the Lincolnshire Regiment. It has had an affi liation with HQ LONDON DISTRICT since Dec 14.

The Regiment has recently been the benefi ciary of the close interest of the former CGS and the current ACGS, partly as a result of the particular circumstances of the appointment of the present CO. Routine engagement currently takes place through the British Defence Staff in Washington, who have a formal role as advisors to His Excellency the Governor, or direct with the R ANGLIAN Regiment. Last year there were a number of examples of UK and Bermuda Regiment Defence Engagement: in September three commanders were attached to 1 WG for EXERCISE ASKARI THUNDER 14 in Kenya and a four man Musical Short Term Training Team from the Army School of Music supported our Band’s on-Island Camp. October saw ACGS visit and two SASC instructors supported Range Management courses. In November the Army Masters Rugby Team took part in the Bermuda Rugby Classic and in December we supported an RMAS diving expedition. Whilst at the beginning of this year during our annual recruit camp, we hosted 3 overseas instructors, one from the UK. In May 15 we deployed on our annual overseas training exercise, this year to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina and with an Internal Security Theme, and were joined by 3 UK Instructors.

2014 was a successful year, with the recruiting of volunteers increasing (now over half the annual intake), forming a joint EOD capability with the Police and our Overseas Exercise to Canada. Whilst in Oct of 2014 the Regiment was embodied (mobilised) in response to back-to-back hurricanes: FAY and GONZALO which caused widespread damage across the island. Elements from the Regiment’s main body and Immediate Response Teams (IRTs) were deployed to assist the Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) in returning the island to a state of normality. During the 10 day embodiment over 2140 man-days were committed

The Regiment Colours on Parade.

to hurricane and disaster relief, with tasks including: clearance of key arterial routes to allow emergency vehicle access, joint patrols with the Bermuda Police Service; emergency distribution of critical stores; weatherproofi ng damaged homes; marine reassurance patrols; liaison for EMO; enabling the deployment of HS ARGYLL; and logistic support and assistance to other government departments. In the wake of the storms the Premier Michael Dunkley stated of the Regiment’s response: “The Bermuda Regiment is owed a debt of gratitude that cannot be paid.”

This year, on 01 Sep 15, the Regiment will celebrate its 50th Anniversary in its current guise. A series of ‘BR50’ events are planned throughout the year in celebration, culminating in a tattoo in the old Royal Naval Dockyard in Oct 15 which will include the visit of our Royal Colonel, HRH the Duchess of Gloucester. To date, these have included a concert at Government House, the award and exercising of the Freedom of St George, a Regiment themed fi rst day cover stamp issue, and a military fl oat in the Bermuda Day parade. For those that are interested more information about the Regiment is on-line at our website http://www.bermudaregiment.bm/.

Ex ISLAND WARRIOR, Camp Lejeune, May 2015.

The Bermuda Regiment

The Bermuda Regiment is the home defence unit of the BriƟ sh Overseas Territory of Bermuda.

It is a single territorial infantry baƩ alion that was formed by the amalgamaƟ on in 1965 of two originally voluntary units, the all white Bermuda Volunteer Rifl e Corps (BVRC) and the mostly black Bermuda MiliƟ a ArƟ llery (BMA).