Judge Rinder swaps robes for combats during inspection of Royal Corps of Army Music

Barrister and TV personality Rob Rinder has swapped his legal robes for Multi Terrain Pattern combat fatigues as he took up the role of Deputy Colonel Commandant of the Royal Corps of Army Music.

In an exclusive interview with BFBS Forces News he described it as a "limitless privilege" to take on the role and said it was his "top, most important" job.

He was speaking to Sian Grzeszczyk Melbourne as he inspected personnel at Gibraltar Barracks in Hampshire to mark the 30th anniversary of the Corps.

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The band of the Scots Guards welcomed the new Dep Com onto the parade square as he inspected personnel from across the RCAM.

"This is my first time in combats and fatigues, so I do feel a little bit like a grifter," he said.

"Ultimately, what I’m here to do is to champion what the Royal Corps of Army Music give to our communities and to our country, and the Army in general, and to amplify and share it with as many people as possible.

"Today has been a real delight in that regard.

"I can't wait to do whatever I can to sing it into the world, to use a musical expression."

Deputy Colonel Commandant Rinder's connection with the military stretched back to his time as a barrister where he worked on cases involving members of the Armed Forces.

In his new role, he hopes to eventually conduct a military band, having musical experience conducting opera and mounted drums.

"I'll leave that to the brilliant band leaders and orchestra leaders, but who knows I hope I might get a chance to conduct one of the bands. You never know," he said.

He added: "I'm not exaggerating when I say this [role] is the top, this is my most important.

"What Army music does is so important, because we have come to take it for granted when there are great big national events.

"Whoever you are, whatever background you come from, you watch just without question the best Army music in the world.

"It galvanises and brings people together. There's no better message, no more important one than thank you.

"I mean it really is as simple as that.

"Our gratitude knows no ends, not just for their courage, or the service that this community gives but so much more."