#TurksandCaicos, February 6, 2023 – Members of the Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment are getting their first taste of firing their newly acquired rifles live, thanks to a visit by Royal Bermuda Regiment soldiers.

The Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment – set up in 2020 – is currently joined for almost three weeks by a Short-Term Training Team from the RBR.

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

Warrant Officer Class One Pete Ramm, the RBR’s Sergeant Major Instructor, travelled to the TCI with Colour Sergeant Shanté Arnold and Colour Sergeant Curtis Grant.

CSgt Grant said training included use of a Colt M5 rifle, which marines fired live for the first time.

He added: “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.”

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

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

CSgt Grant noted how the training in TCI resembled instruction 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 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.”

The Royal Bermuda Regiment has worked with partner nations for decades and the latest collaboration comes after a meeting of defence unit leaders in 2022.

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 with them 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 mild stone, which is very important aspect of fully operationalizing the Regiment. Lt. Colonel Grant commented:

“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 Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000) in training during the current fiscal period.

Its not only about the amount of monies we have invested but finding intuitions and organizations 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.