Draft dodgers

Over 20% of those called up for service in the Bermuda Regiment this year failed to show or were exempted, according to a statement by the UK’s Europe Minister, Geoff Hoon.

The statement was issued in response to a written question by Labour MP Andrew MacKinley, the MP who last year suggested that Bermuda's policy of compulsory national service for men was discriminatory. Mr. Hoon said that of the 541 men called up for service, “Two were registered as Conscientious Objectors, seven were exempted as 'ministers of a religious denomination', 14 were conditionally deferred to serve in the St. John's Ambulance Brigade, and 94 did not report for medical examination, nor explain their absence in advance.”

In addition, he said that the Regiment currently has 65 long term absentees, defined as someone who has been absent without leave for more than three consecutive scheduled or ordered appearances.

So far this year, 21 men have been charged with unauthorised absence from the Regiment. All have been found guilty. Three received extra duties, four received fines, eleven were ordered to restart the military year. The remaining three cases have been referred to the magistrate’s court, where they remain outstanding.

Comments

[Uncounted on 29.06.06 at 13:06]

The whole system is pretty stupid really:

1. Be born in BDA and have a Bermudian parent (or just have a Bermudian parent).

2. Register to be drafted / called up the year you turn 18. Why is this necessary??? Surely all Bermudian 18 year olds are known to the govt. either from their birth records, or when they got a Bermudian passport?

3. If you fail to register, your name is published in the newspaper, with a new deadline (oh horror!).

4. If you still fail to register, they come looking for you (theoretically).

5. If you registered, and were called, then you have to show for your medical... etc.

I was born in Bda, and have Bermudian parents, but never registered, was never noticed, and therefore avoided the thing entirely.

I'm not in the official #s though :o)

Here's to govt. efficiency!

[curious on 29.06.06 at 13:38]

So none were deferred/exempted for education, or were they not included in these numbers?

I've always heard that was the biggest part of why it was discriminatory.

Anyone with deep enought pockets is away at school or continuing their education on the island and therefore exempted from serving.

[Adjustah on 29.06.06 at 14:44]

There are lies, damned lies and statistics. - Mark Twain.

What's your point? People don't like the Regiment? No shit, really?

[Alex on 29.06.06 at 14:49]

I don't think the educational exemptions are included in those statistics, seeing as though I make 'one'.

Whilst everyone else in the world enjoys a gap year between higher education and university, I have to serve.

Oh, how I do love my country.

[Michael Taylor on 29.06.06 at 14:55]

Curious,

Furthering your education doesn't exempt you from military duty, it only allows you to defer your service until you complete it(you can be deferred to attend Bermuda college too by the way). They absolutely do call those up who were deferred (every year normally) until they are no longer in school or have turned 35.

[Jake on 29.06.06 at 16:02]

Alex,

Get over it and get back in line.

Left, Right, Left Right...

[Teacher on 29.06.06 at 16:04]

I wrote to the regiment on numerous occasions when I needed defferment back in the late 80's early 90's.

I didn't hear a thing from them. They seemed to ignore all corespondance. Perhaps things have changed.

[SmokingGun on 29.06.06 at 16:08]

"until they are no longer in school or have turned 35."

You don't say. 35 huh. Wish I'd known..... time to pack my bags and head back home. What's the price of a house these days? ;-)

[Bermudian on 29.06.06 at 16:42]

I have a question.

You turn 18, you register for the Regiment and then they do their lottery. If you dont get picked that year, you are exempt from duty... that is, until next year when they enter you into the lottery again.

Is this correct? If it is, then what are the odds of your name not getting picked in 17 consecutive lotteries?

Can someone please shed some light on the situation surrounding the lottery?

[YankeeKayaker on 30.06.06 at 00:12]

What's the length of duty in Bermuda? If it's only like a year or something, what's the big deal? It's not like Bermuda is going to go to war with anyone, and is a year really so much to serve your colony/country? Besides, most 18 year olds could use a year of dicipline.

[Bandit on 30.06.06 at 06:37]

My two nephews were born in Bermuda but of English parentage. Both left Bermuda at very young ages. Neither have any rights as Bermudians and would need work permits (etc.) to live there, but both were called up when they turned 18. How crazy is that?

"Hey you! Your country needs you but we don't want you to live here!"

Madness!

[D'Olivier on 30.06.06 at 06:45]

"They absolutely do call those up who were deferred (every year normally) until they are no longer in school or have turned 35."

The age limit is 33. See the Defence Act 1965, Section 17A.

I have the link on the Web to it, but I don't know ho to do it in this bolg without it running over the text limit....

[D'Olivier on 30.06.06 at 06:47]

Typing too quickly will be the death of me yet! Sorry about the misspelling above.

[jsm on 30.06.06 at 11:12]

yes, even after giving up my Bermudian citizenship (required to take your money off the island), the regiment will continue to call you, every year...even though I haven't lived in Bermuda for 19 years.
However, when returning for a vacation, presenting my passport which clearly states that I'm Bermudian...I'm told I'm only allowed to stay for 3 weeks, and "don't work"!

[YankeeKayaker on 30.06.06 at 11:31]

(yes, even after giving up my Bermudian citizenship (required to take your money off the island), the regiment will continue to call you, every year...even though I haven't lived in Bermuda for 19 years.
However, when returning for a vacation, presenting my passport which clearly states that I'm Bermudian...I'm told I'm only allowed to stay for 3 weeks, and "don't work"!)

Umm...I just gotta ask. If you have officially given up your Bemrudian citizenship and have moved out of Bermuda for almost 20 years, why does your passport still say you are a Bermudian???

[jsm on 30.06.06 at 11:39]

"...why does your passport still say you are a Bermudian???"

Because that's where I was born, and that's what I am....according to the pasport office in Bermuda. You can only 'give up' citizenship for 3 years...then it gets stuck back onto you.

[lost in flatts on 30.06.06 at 11:40]

Ah my least favourite part of Bermuda, the old regiment. I was a lucky winner on my 18th, some 6 years ago, and have deferred ever since, sent letters of university/employment each year on time, but still get rude letters and phone calls.

I'm hoping beaurocracy will save me from the humiliation of being the one 10 years older than everyone else when I get back, that or I'll just remove my index finger/become rastafarian/start chillin with Burch.

[YankeeKayaker on 30.06.06 at 22:05]

("...why does your passport still say you are a Bermudian???"
Because that's where I was born, and that's what I am....according to the pasport office in Bermuda. You can only 'give up' citizenship for 3 years...then it gets stuck back onto you.)

Wow, I never heard of anything like that before! So what does the country you are now a citizen of and have been living in for the last 19 years say about all that?

[Alex on 30.06.06 at 22:28]

Michael -

If you're deferred for five years you become exempt. Well, that's how its supposed to work. Not entirely sure what's going to happen when I turn up for the medical in October - I'm sort of missing half a heel, and on a REALLY GOOD DAY, it bleeds when I walk long distances/run.

Oh well. I'll stick it out if need be.

I wonder if they need a photographer o_O

[D'Olivier on 01.07.06 at 09:52]

"If you're deferred for five years you become exempt."

Wrong. It doesn't say that anywhere in the defence act. Besides, I deferred for lot longer, and I still had to serve. (deferred since I was 18, finally went in when I was 25). Where are you getting this info?

[Michael Taylor on 01.07.06 at 11:21]

Alex,

I think D'Olivier is right, but there may be an internal policy regarding medical deferrals. I was deferred for 6 years and I had to serve. Can anyone post a link to the defense act? I can't find it on bermudalaws.bm. There must be at least 1000 myths about the laws regarding military service so I strongly advise familiarising yourself with the document and don't trust ANYTHING people tell you including and especially military people.
I suggest you find out if you aren't 100% sure already, because if not, you may well be declared fit to serve at the age of 32 and you really don't want that to happen. You would be way better off to volunteer and work with the PR department or otherwise light duties now.

[jsm on 01.07.06 at 13:51]

"So what does the country you are now a citizen of and have been living in for the last 19 years say about all that?"

The country I live in now, and whose passport I also hold, welcomes me,and treats me with equality and respect...and this passport is welcomed all over the world .....unlike some other nations I know of.

[wig n' gown on 01.07.06 at 15:03]

You become exempt after deferring for 5 yrs? Bye, flip! Wish that was the case. I have been deferring since age 18 and I am now 27. Coming back to the island this September and am looking forward to being yelled at and ordered about by a bunch of pimply-faced 19 yr olds. Better lay off the pints and pies!

[39Alpha on 03.07.06 at 13:10]

Who you calling pimply faced?

See you soon!

[Tony Blair on 03.07.06 at 21:30]

Maybe they should instead try treating the Regiment as a part time job. Instead of paying I believe $16 for one night (as a private), try $16 per hour with a minimum of 3 hours being in camp. Weekend camps might be a bit of a challenge to pay and could be based on a set amount, but money does talk when you are young and broke. I am sure the MP wouldn't mind a cut in salary to support the troops. :)