Dress to impress: Cpl Carol Everson and Capt Ben Beasley pose with suits that the Bermuda Regiment is lending out to any soldiers and war veterans who need them for job interviews or civil affairs
(Photo by Mark Tatem)
In this economy job hunting can be an uphill battle for many young people who are sometimes given just 12 seconds to make a good impression. That is why the Bermuda Regiment is arming some of its soldiers with snappy suits and ties.
“One of the Bermuda Regiment’s corporals has recently started an initiative designed to help serving soldiers become more competitive when applying for jobs,” said Adjutant of the Regiment Captain Ben Beasley.
“Cpl Carol Everson is the case worker for the Bermuda Branch of the Royal British Legion. She has been an active member of several projects whose objectives have been to assist and recognise the service of ex forces personnel in Bermuda.”
Cpl Everson said she had noticed that quite a number of young soldiers were looking for work or part-time jobs. Unfortunately, many of them didn’t have the money to go out and buy themselves a suit, tie and dress shirt. “As soliders they are smart young men,” she said. “I asked the Adjutant to seek out a few suitable suits.”
They have now collected over a dozen suits from people in the community, all high quality. There is nothing about the clothing that indicates it is second-hand. “So far we have some beauties,” said Cpl Everson. “We have suits made by tailors to Her Majesty the Queen. We have some beautiful menswear from HA&E Smith’s which of course, is no longer open. We also have them in a variety of sizes.
“This is not just for the soldiers, it is also for our war veterans. A lot of them don’t get out a lot and they don’t have many smart clothes. If they need to dress up for a formal function like Remembrance Day or a funeral, or something like that, we now have a library of suits that people can access and return in appropriate condition.”
Commanding Officer of the Bermuda Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Brian Gonsalves praised the initiative stating, “The Bermuda Regiment is a family, and it is incumbent on all of us to help each other where we can, not just as colleagues but as good citizens.”
Said Capt Beasley: “We are not just here to make fighting soliders. It is about making better citizens. That includes socially as well as militarily. Every advantage we can give one of our people, we will carefully consider and carefully take forward. The Bermuda Regiment isn’t just about wearing fatigues and running around with a rifle. It is about developing an entire person.”
Cpl Everson has also helped soliders by giving them job interview tips and helping them fill out applications. “The first thing people need is self-confidence,” she said. “The longer these young men go without a job, that presents a greater challenge. If they feel splendid and look splendid it will be a great help.”
Capt Beasley was unable to say how many people at the Bermuda Regiment were unemployed or looking for a job.
He said the number fluctuated. “They are always welcome to try out for jobs at the Bermuda Regiment,” he said. “But it is not for everyone so we try to help them out as they go forward.”
If you are a serving member of the Bermuda Regiment and you would like to make use of the loan service, please call the Quartermaster’s Company on 238-3930, or visit the clothing stores between 8.30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.