Gurkha recruits prove their fieldcraft credentials during final basic training exercise

This year's intake of recruits to the Brigade of Gurkhas have reached a key milestone in their nine-month journey to becoming fully trained soldiers as they conclude the final fieldcraft exercise of Phase One training, Exercise Final Fling. 

Like all recruits to the infantry, would-be Gurkhas follow a Common Military Syllabus – known as CMS (Future Soldier). However, unlike all other recruits, Gurkha training is overseen by the Brigade of Gurkhas itself.

Before being permitted to move on to Phase 2 training, otherwise known as the combat infantry course, the recruits have been tested in the field and have had to meet the high standards of some of the Army's best junior NCOs.

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Training with pride 

Speaking to BFBS Forces News, 22-year-old Trainee Rifleman Roshan Thapa said: "Training is going well. It's very hard, but it's going well," adding that he is learning new things every second. 

He went on: "My grandfather was in the Indian Army before. He likes to ask me what's been happening in the field; 'are you doing this' and 'are you doing that'? So, I'm telling him everything I'm doing."

Meanwhile, 20-year-old Liyan Limbu described some of the skills he had been finessing throughout the final exercise of basic training, including making field models – which are used to brief soldiers ahead of missions, like attacking or defending a position.

"I quite enjoy learning about how to make a model pit," the trainee rifleman said.

"Our gurujis (Gurkha terminology for instructor or section commander) have told us that this is our pride, because we are renowned for making the best model pits around the world."

Overseeing the recruits' progression is a chain of command led by Major Gyan Dhenga, a career Gurkha who previously told BFBS Forces News that one of the aims of the training is to prepare the men for any eventuality that might come in terms of operations.

Additionally, a training officer keeps a check on the standard of instruction and the overall quality of the training the recruits undergo. 

Holding that position is Captain Bhanindra Rai, who previously held a post at the Infantry Battle School in Brecon.

"So far, the recruits are doing well," he said. "There are one or two who have missed some training, but we are catching them up with other platoons at ITC (Infantry Training Centre). Apart from that, I'm quite happy.

"They are motivated, and they are learning fast. It's good to see their transition from civilian life to military life."

So far, all 323 recruits who began training in February are on track to make it to the end of the gruelling nine-month course. 

It is an unblemished success rate that standard Phase 1 training establishments, such as Pirbright or the Army Foundation College, rarely – if ever – see.

Next up for the recruits is a small passing out parade marking the end of basic training. The men will rightly pat themselves on the back for their achievements so far, but will quickly refocus on completing the remaining four months of Gurkha training.