Bermuda Regiment instructors conduct firearm training for TCI Regiment

Marines of the Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment recently completed training in the use of firearms and got their first taste of firing their newly acquired rifles.

Instructors of the Royal Bermuda Regiment conducted the short-term training course which ran for a period of three weeks.

The training sessions saw marines advance through shooting exercises in readiness for their Annual Personal Weapons Test, which now means they can carry firearms on patrols.

As part of the training, an exercise was held on Thursday, January, 26 at the police range.

Some of the TCI Regiment troops have now been qualified by the RBR team to take on roles in range safety and coaching.

Marines received support on the firing range as the two British Overseas Territory units build on opportunities to work together.

According to a statement from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, Warrant Officer Class One Peter Ramm, the RBR’s Sergeant Major Instructor, travelled to the TCI with Colour Sergeant Shanteì Arnold and Colour Sergeant Curtis Grant to train the marines.

Commenting on the sessions, CSgt Grant explained that the training included the use of a Colt M5 rifle, which marines fired live for the first time.

“It’s great to see the progression starting from novice shooters; they’ve progressed well in the time.

“I’m pretty happy about my part in that and I’m sure the rest of the team is as well.”

CSgt Grant noted that the training was similar for newly enlisted members of the RBR.

He said: “When we take our recruits on the range for the first time to fire live, it’s the same thing – they have the theoretical part of it and then apply the practical part.”

Lance Corporal Tim Browning said the weapons practice, which also included the use of a Glock 19 handgun, made TCI Regiment troops the “envy” of their friends.

He said: “We’re very grateful having the Royal Bermuda Regiment guys here because if we didn’t, we wouldn’t be able to go on the ranges.”

The 42-year-old, who was among a group of marines that visited Bermuda for training last year, added: “The TCI Regiment is very much in its infancy, so everybody is still learning a lot.

“There is a world of difference between the TCI Regiment and the

RBR, so the guys have brought training that is second to none, it couldn’t be any better.”

Lieutenant Colonel Ben Beasley, the RBR’s Commanding Officer, said: “Last year in London, the Commanding Officers of the British Overseas Territories met for the first time to discuss opportunities for enhancing collective support.

“After consultation with our Governors, this is one of the initiatives which has been implemented, along with training courses we delivered last year in the US and Bermuda.”

Lt Col Beasley said: “As island nations, we share many similarities, particularly with TCI.

“Our regiments are based primarily on reservists who are drawn from the communities we serve.

“Quite often, as is the case in many local industries, we will receive training at overseas establishments and then amend policies and procedures to fit the local environment.

“Although it is for their Commanding Officer to decide what is best for his unit, we can share our training practices that have been shaped and refined by years of experience.”

By training together, sharing methods and exchanging personnel, overseas territories can work more cohesively when called upon to support each other.

Lieutenant Colonel Ennis Grant Commanding Officer of the Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment was very delighted that the TCI Regiment has accomplished this significant milestone, which is a very important aspect of fully operationalising the Regiment.

Lt. Colonel Grant said: “Training is the cornerstone of excellence and professionalism. The best militaries around the world are very good at what they do because they invest heavily in training. “We have invested over $200,000 in training during the current fiscal period.

“It's not only about the amount of money we have invested but finding intuitions and organisations that can deliver the highest standard of training. The Royal Bermuda Regiment is certainly one of those organisations.

“We are enormously grateful to the Commanding Officer of the Royal Bermuda Regiment, and the Government and people of Bermuda for supporting the development of the TCI Regiment. “The training team are excellent ambassadors for Bermuda. They bring an enormous wealth of knowledge, which we are very privileged to benefit from.

“Finally, thanks to our Marines for dedicating their time and demonstrating an unselfish commitment to serve the citizens and residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

The Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment was formed in 2020 and is the country’s home defence force, it is a battalion within the British Armed Forces.

The Regiment has three primary functions: the defence of the Turks and Caicos Islands; disaster relief and humanitarian assistance; and border protection.