The Bermuda Regiment - Discrimination based on Convenience

Mon, 04/02/2007 - 22:33 — Jonny

I’m tired of people who have never served in the Bermuda Regiment saying how great it is for our country. Yes is nice to know that the Regiment will clear trees and fix peoples roofs after a hurricane, but at what price. My goal isn’t to besmirch the Bermuda Regiment, but to reiterate the fact that the male only conscription policy is in violation of ones human rights. Unfortunately Bermuda tolerates discrimination based on convenience. To make matters worse public officials defend conscription because “majority of Bermudians support it”.

So what’s my solution? If the Regiment is doing such a great job teaching our young men discipline then why stop there? Assimilate this into our public school system. If anybody fails to complete their BSSC requirements; send them to jail. If they miss too many days of school, they must repeat the year. If students get rowdy we could fine them, jail them locally, curse them off, or take away their meal time.

With taxpayers spending $19,000.00 per student per year this will guarantee graduation levels. Sounds barbaric? This has been happening up Warwick Camp for decades.

Discussion

Tue, 04/03/2007 - 04:42 — beachryan

It's like game theory

Problem: Regiment is an antiquated, unsuitable relic of the British empire, an entity so archaic that the even the Brits have gotten rid of it. However, it remains in place in Bermuda. Why?

Suggested reason: Because those making the decision are not those affected by their decision. Almost by definition, the under 18's that will be forced into regiment are also those without a voice with which to change their fate. And the people who do have some power are so far removed from the situation, it is merely a bullet point at the bottom of a long list of priorities. Does anyone seriously think that a few suffering 18 year olds matter at all to the government? A few concerned 17 year olds are worth nothing to them. Plus, as noted in the RG, the public seem to support the regiment. Which I find rich. Let's do a poll where, if one assumes 50% are women and not all of the men asked have served, about 25% of the reponsdents have any idea what they're talking about. And of those, I doubt more than 5% are actually in the regiment at the moment, so are either a. annoyed they had to do it, so someone else damn well should, or b. so far removed they don't remember how bad it was.

And thus, incentive for the politicians to change the system is zero. In fact, to show how they're committed to reforming our bad youth, and support strong discipline, they should keep it going. Because clearly it's solving all of our problems.

And yet it remains that the military aspect of the regiment does no good to anyone at all. It's poorly managed, with badly outdated equipment and techniques. It forces successful young businessmen to waste their time and energy away from their families and work, intruding on an already stressed work life balance. And for what? So they can go and clean up some trees after a hurricane.

Last time I went out after a hurricane I was surrounded by Bermudians, of all colors, all political persuasions, both sexes and all ages. All helping. And they weren't wearing uniforms. And they managed just fine...

Tue, 04/03/2007 - 07:58 — S. Brown

I always felt that the

I always felt that the regiment should be used as a boot camp for juvenile delinquents. Alot of the guys who go to camp do not need discipline or any of the 'values' the regiment claims they show young men. The fact that the show up on their own free will ells you something about their character.

I say use it for young offenders so the power-happy, ego tripping officers can exert their authority.

*Great Minds Discuss Ideas.. Average Minds Discuss Events... Small Minds Discuss People*

Tue, 04/03/2007 - 08:05 — beachryan

Totally agree

Spot on, couldn't agree more. Discipline those that need discipline, not some random selection from some computer.

Mon, 06/18/2007 - 13:43 — andrewbda

Conscription Questions

For lack of a better source of information, I have a few questions which the readers of this site might be able to answer RE the regiment.

Does anyone know about the regiment selection algorithm?

Isn't it supposed to be one in three men who get called, or something like that?

Also, does your name only go into the pool in the year in which you first become eligable? Or does your name go back into the pool every year if you have not been previously called?

Also, am I correct in thinking that you can be called up to the age of 32?

Thanks in advance,
andrew

Mon, 01/14/2008 - 09:11 — afrancis

Some responses

The selection algorithm is a random number generated selection. The computer makes the selection based around several criterion. Age, number of years since you became eligible, current educational status (i.e are you away in University) etc

Based on the declining numbers of potential men over the past several years the selection base has been expanded to incorporate the fact that by law you can be called up to the age of 35.

Based on the selection criterion and the weights applied names become "less" eligible as years pass.

Peace

Mon, 01/14/2008 - 13:33 — 32n64w

Regiment really random?

If this computer algorithm really is factoring in all these criteria then it doesn't sound too random to me if its taking into consideration the specific characteristics of each potential candidate when "determining" their likelihood of selection.

Random is random. You're either picked and serve or you're not and your name goes back into the hat for next time until you are no longer eligible for service.

Mon, 01/14/2008 - 14:02 — beachryan

Number of men is decreasing?

Why is the number of potential men decreasing? By how much? Moving up to 35 seems extreme to me. Can you imagine starting at 35 and being forced to be submissive to a 19 year old officer? Archaic.

So archaic the Brits that invented it got rid of it.

Tue, 04/03/2007 - 09:32 — denis_bda

Well said Jonny

Well said Jonny. Unfortunately the greater majority of Bermudians care very little about the exploitation of a minority for simply it is easier to enslave our generation to perform as clowns for the greater amusement of the people and as a cheap insurance policy of slave labour at mediocre (even with the wage increases) in the event of a hurricane.

Tue, 04/03/2007 - 18:26 — 32n64w

Officers

Notwithstanding public opinion polls, as there are many current and former officers of the Regiment serving in various aspects of the PLP government I doubt you will see any political capital expensed to change the status-quo.

Accordingly for those who have a hard time with conscription your efforts would likely be better spent convincing the powers that be to seriously revamp their entire training protocol and tweek it to be more Bermuda specific / relevant. No recruit needs to spend their weekends learning how to hide in the bushes, run a checkpoint, shoot a target, etc.

Tue, 04/03/2007 - 18:35 — oscurobranson

Checkpoint Shooting

You actually made sense there 3264, just when i was beginning to loose faith in you as a rational person. I do think thats sensible, and I don't think that there is a possibility of us being sent off to war anytime soon.

Wed, 04/04/2007 - 03:10 — 32n64w

Maybe

One man's sense is another man's insanity.

Wed, 06/04/2008 - 15:19 — nicko

Interesting quote the last

Interesting quote the last one I heard that i liked was a drunk mans words are a sober mans thoughts which is why i love to go out party and have a good time because everyones true colors shine. Anyway just before the summer i took a royal caribbean cruise down to bermuda and had a great time i'll be visiting again after the summer.

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