More than 100 Royal Bermuda Regiment soldiers and officers are in Jamaica for a high-intensity, two-week training programme designed to sharpen their military skills, leadership, and problem-solving abilities.
Exercise Rum Runner 2025 offers the battalion an opportunity to train in an unfamiliar environment over an extended period. The scale of this training is not possible in Bermuda and is designed to enhance the RBR’s overall operational effectiveness.
Defence forces from other British Overseas Territories were also invited to take part. As a result, the 116-strong RBR contingent is joined by two members of the Falkland Islands Defence Force (FIDF), eight troops from the Turks & Caicos Islands Regiment (TCI), and, for the first week, ten troops from the Cayman Islands Regiment. Additionally, 33 members of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) will participate in the second half of the programme.
Second Lieutenant Tajae Lowe of the Royal Bermuda Regiment, a platoon commander, noted how soldiers benefit from access to expansive training facilities not available in Bermuda.
“It means we can utilise the rifles at longer distances, which brings a different perspective and more of a challenge,” said 2Lt Lowe. “It allows us to better assess strengths and weaknesses and ensure proper marksmanship principles are applied.”
He added that the exercise also promotes stronger unit cohesion.
“This time allows the troops to build unity and camaraderie. They’re all here in one place, not going off base like after a weekend at Warwick Camp. They’ve really got to develop coherence and work as a team.”
Soldiers are based primarily at Twickenham Park in St Catherine, where early-morning physical training sessions help them acclimatise to the Jamaican climate.
Private Eimear Smith, 24, of the FIDF, said: “We’ve done medical training, which was really interesting. It’s similar to what we do in the Falklands but with some extra acronyms. We reviewed familiar information but also learned new approaches to casualty care and different systems.”
“Before that, we had a range day, we got soaked in rain. That was character-building, as always!”
She added: “This is a great opportunity to train overseas. Just meeting people from other territories and learning how they do things slightly differently is fantastic.”
RBR Private Trakinna Anderson, 32, from Pembroke, a member of the Regimental Police and a warehouse worker in civilian life, said: “I’m learning new skills every day. We’ve done a weighted march, I had to push to keep up, but I did it. It’s definitely helping with personal development and keeping me focused.”
Second Lieutenant Brooklyn Williams, of the TCI Regiment, described the programme as both rewarding and collaborative. “One of the biggest benefits of this exercise is the interoperability and the opportunities we get to build relationships with other Caribbean regiments. It’s been incredibly valuable.”
Next week, troops will take part in jungle training and a patrols competition.
Exercise Rum Runner 2025 also includes a cultural and service component. Members of the RBR Band and Corps of Drums are working with musicians in the JDF, and the Regiment’s Logistics Unit is supporting a community project at a school in Portland.