Legislators in Bermuda vote to end compulsory military service

HAMILTON, Bermuda, CMC  — Legislators have voted to end conscription into the Royal Bermuda Regiment (RBR), the home defence unit in the British Overseas Territory which will now have to rely wholly on volunteers signing up.

National Security Minister Wayne Caines said the Defence Amendment Act was “a once-in-a-generation chance to transform the RBR into a bespoke hybrid organisation, which is more efficient, effective and professional".

A former officer in the regiment, Caines said that conscription had “served Bermuda well over the years”.

“That said, the modern era dictates that the time has come for conscription into the Royal Bermuda Regiment to end, as is the case in each of the other (British) Overseas Territories. I am confident that Bermuda will be the better for ending conscription,” he added.

Conscription has been based on a random lottery of men between the ages of 18 and 23.

Formerly known as the Bermuda Regiment, it was formed by the amalgamation in 1965 of two originally volunteer units, the mostly black Bermuda Militia Artillery and the almost entirely white Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps.

It was awarded the title “Royal” by the Queen in 2015 to mark the 50th anniversary of its formation.

Caines told the House of Assembly on Friday that a review by the RBR had been conducted over the past six months.

He added the report found that a total of 327 personnel -28 officers and 299 soldiers — could carry out the work of the RBR.

The number is down from the 400 soldiers recommended in a 2014 report.

Caines said the review also focused on the creation of a coast guard.

Michael Dunkley, a former One Bermuda Alliance premier and currently Shadow National Security Minister, said he had always felt “very uncomfortable” about conscription.

“I am glad that the day has come where we can deal with it. At the same time, we need to make sure that the RBR is in a position to effectively fill out their mandate”.

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