Newest Gurkha recruits receive their berets - including those for new artillery regiment
The British Army's newest Gurkha recruits have learned which regiments they will be spending their careers in – after reaching a significant training milestone.
During a special parade known as cap-badging, more than 250 trainee riflemen were presented with the berets of their new units.
That included 20 recruits selected to join the newly raised King's Gurkha Artillery – the first intake of new recruits into the unit since it was established.
Recruits to the Brigade of Gurkhas are chosen following the most challenging selection process across the UK Armed Forces.
From their base in North Yorkshire, they spend nine months learning to become professional soldiers – widely considered among the best in the world.
Made up of six individual regiments, the Brigade of Gurkhas is a self-sufficient fighting force with expertise across engineering, logistics and communications.
Once a key milestone in training is reached, recruits choose which regiment they hope to join – a decision that will shape the rest of their military careers.
The choices are:
:: Royal Gurkha Rifles – made up of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions
:: Queen'ss Gurkha Engineers
:: Queen's Gurkha Signals
:: Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment
:: Gurkha Staff and Personnel Company – a sub-unit of the Adjutant General's Corps
:: The Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas
During the cap-badging parade, senior officers from each unit travel to Catterick to welcome their newest soldiers, handing over berets and stable belts.
It's a symbolic opportunity for recruits to shake hands and meet their future commanding officers and RSMs face-to-face.
One such RSM is Warrant Officer Class 1 Pramesh Shrestha, the Regimental Sergeant Major of the Queen's Gurkha Signals. He spoke about the importance of the visit.
"It's actually the first time I've come here to meet our new boys," the RSM said.
"I was excited to meet them. More than that, when I met them they were more excited to see us.
"I've been saying to them 'welcome to the team'. They are in different platoons and sections, but this is the first time they've actually mustered together as a regiment – as a team – so yeah, it is nice to have them in the team."
Trainee Rifleman Bishal Chemjong, who is joining 2nd Battalion, Royal Gurkha Rifles, said he was extremely proud to be joining his unit.
"I'm feeling very proud and lucky because I got my first choice," the young would-be infanteer said.
His pride was matched by that of Trainee Rifleman Prajwol Tamang, who is joining the Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment.
He said: "I'm feeling very proud because this was my first choice from the beginning of training."
Now in week 23 of a 39-week course, the recruits still face field challenges, with major training exercises in Otterburn and Sennybridge ahead.
They are due to pass out – and join their new regiments – in the autumn.
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