Final Selection For Gurkha Recruits To Take Place As Planned In 2021

Final selection for the full quota of Gurkha recruits for 2021 will take place as planned, the Colonel of the Brigade of Gurkhas has revealed to Forces News.

The selection will take place in January in Nepal, with the Brigade confident that 340 new recruits will begin their training in Catterick in March. 

Due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, British Gurkhas Nepal has been unable to hold the normal application process and regional selections.

Instead, unsuccessful recruits from last year have been invited to retry in February. 

Adaptations will be made to the process with uncertainty around whether the iconic doko race will go ahead - the only part of the selection that takes place outside the camp on public roads.

Colonel of the Brigade of Gurkhas, Col Jody Davies, told Forces News: "There’ll be a slight adjustment in social distancing; the numbers that can gather at any particular time and some of the tests will be adjusted."

“But because it's another six weeks away, the final decisions on exactly what a particular test looks like will be made much closer to the time.”

The news comes as the largest intake of recruits in more than 30 years passed out of Catterick in North Yorkshire.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace was there to inspect the new soldiers and present them with awards.

The parade was also attended by some of the most senior generals.

Recruit, Rifleman Ashal Tulachan, said being at the parade was “completely unimaginable".

"It’s a really great feeling that I can’t express in words,” he added.

Fellow recruit, Rifleman Aman Palungwa, added: "When we were back in Nepal we didn’t know about the military – I have seen so many movies about the military but when I came to Catterick and learned everything about the military, I have changed myself – being more disciplined."

Rifleman Uttam Magar also said: "I’ve been dreaming about this moment and this day for a very long time.

"I was thinking about my parents – about how great they will feel and how proud they will feel about me."

Gurkha Company continued to train during the first wave of COVID-19, forming platoon bubbles and finding ways to keep staff and recruits apart. 

As a result, swimming lessons were the only part of the entire training programme that was removed as local pools were closed.

Gurkha Company Instructor, Corporal Binod Gurung, said: "I’m so proud to mentor and instruct them – from the beginning of their training."

A slightly smaller than usual team from Gurkha Company will fly out to Nepal in January and return in March with 340 new recruits.

British Gurkhas Nepal is confident normal recruiting can then begin for 2022.