Gurkha warriors' long journey to become Combat Engineers finally comes to an end
More than 30 Nepalese men, some of them teenagers, left home to join the British Army and one year later their journey is at an end.
Despite joining the Armed Forces at a dangerous time in terms of global security, the 32 men from Nepal strived to become Gurkha Combat Engineers, earning the respect of their commanders twice over.
"It was hard, but we got it done anyway," recounted one Gurkha soldier.
Captain Suresh Sherma, of 55 Training Squadron Royal Engineers, spoke about how proud he was of his troops.
"It's about the mindset of adaption, skill is one part," he explained.
"By having that positive mindset and that mental attitude and always learning, that is the best thing that they have to imbed within their mindset.
"Always taking life with the positive, whatever comes in, adapt it then learn, that is the main thing.
"That is what makes the sapper special."
Their journey brought them from their home country to Catterick and finally to the training area of Hampshire.
During the final leg of their journey, troops took on multiple phases of training scenarios, including section attacks, bridge-building, demolition, teamwork and time-pressured activities.
Their skills and drills are what turned them from civilians into Gurkhas sappers who will deploy alongside the Royal Engineers.
One Gurka soldier said: "We have hard times, but the discipline, consistency and the journey to the end and the destination makes me think, and when we’re successful I feel that."
Another sapper added: "I knew my role that my only role was basically to just attack so just go with the flow, and just give your best.
"We have done [section attacks] many times, that it has become muscle memory for us.
"So whenever there is a contact, we automatically react. Our body is ready for that."
At the end of their journey, the Gurkhas will leave as sappers - with none of them being the same person as when they arrived.
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