Record Number Of Gurkha Recruits Selected For First Choice Unit

The largest Gurkha intake in more than 30 years has found out their regimental homes, with a record number being selected for their first choice unit. 

Whilst the trainees still have 12 weeks to go before they are qualified, the Gurkha cap badging tradition, in which recruits find out their new regiment, moves them one step closer.

The decision is based first on the recruit’s preference, but then on their performance and instructor recommendations, as well as trying to ensure a balance of recruits from eastern and western Nepal across all regiments.

In total, 90% of recruits were picked for their first choice - a 6% rise on last year.

Training Rifleman Tika Gurung told Forces News he was "very happy", whilst Training Rifleman Sushan Rimal, who was assigned to the Gurkha Staff and Personnel Support Company, said his "whole body was shaking" when his name was read out. 

The coronavirus pandemic meant this year's ceremony looked slightly different.

Alongside recruits being handed caps on poles, the ceremony was moved to the main parade square at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, to accommodate the increase in recruits who stood two metres apart.

The ceremony sees recruits called by name and, when their regiment is revealed, they must sprint to the relevant corner of the square.

Sergeant Jivan BK, Gurkha Company Instructor, said it is a "magical moment" for the trainees when they find out their regiments. 

Col Davies also revealed to Forces News how the next members of the brigade could be selected amid the coronavirus crisis. 

The young recruits will join a recently expanded Brigade of Gurkhas which has seen a whole new battalion with the formation of 3 Royal Gurkha Rifles.

The Queen’s Gurkha Engineers and the Queen's Gurkha Signals have seen two new squadrons each, whilst the Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment has seen the addition of one new squadron.

The personnel support company and the band have also seen an increase in personnel.

Colonel of the Brigade of Gurkhas, Colonel Jody Davies, praised the recruits for their commitment during the pandemic.

"At a time where elsewhere across the whole of defence things were paused, with international flights being stopped, the trainee riflemen here weren’t able to go home, so training continued," he said.

"They’ve absolutely been pathfinders for the Army and for other elements of defence."