Moment of truth as Gurkha recruits discover which regiments they'll be joining

This year's recruits to the Brigade of Gurkhas have reached a key milestone during a special parade in Catterick, as the Nepal-born trainee riflemen were assigned to the units in which they will spend their military careers.

The Gurkhas are made up of seven distinct cap badges across infantry, artillery, engineering, signals, logistics, music and HR.

The event, which is known as the Cap Badging Parade, means the recruits can now begin wearing the berets and insignia of their new regiments.

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Vast majority given their first choice

In total, 323 new Gurkhas are set to join these units once they complete their combined Phase One and Two training at the Infantry Training Centre, Catterick, later this year.

Almost 80% of the recruits secured their first-choice preferences for their desired units, with the majority selected for careers as infantry personnel serving in either 1st or 2nd Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles.

The Brigade of Gurkhas is a self-sustaining brigade made up of personnel across seven units. These include:

:: The Royal Gurkha Rifles (RGR)

:: The Queen's Gurkha Engineers (QGE)

:: Queen's Gurkha Signals (QGS)

:: 10 Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment (10 QOGLR)

:: The King's Gurkha Artillery (KGA)

:: Gurkha Staff and Personnel Support (GSPS)

:: The Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas

The brigade oversees its own recruitment – those who pass an arduous selection process in Nepal are flown to the UK to undertake nine months of basic and specialised infantry training delivered by expert Gurkha soldiers.

Immense pride

Speaking to BFBS Forces News after the parade, some of the recruits shared their feelings about learning their new regimental identities.

"It's my first choice joining 2 RGR. It was my dream while I was a civilian and as a [Potential Recruit] in Gurkha Camp and I feel very proud," said Trainee Rifleman Ankit Rai.

Another recruit, Trainee Rifleman Binam Limbu, explained why he wanted to spend his career in the King's Gurkha Artillery, saying: "I wanted to get a new experience in this very new unit."

The Cap Badging Parade itself was a moment of intense anticipation. Up until that point, the recruits had merely expressed their preferences for the battalion, regiment or corps in which they hoped to serve.

When the roll call began – read out by Officer Commanding Gurkha Company, Major Gyan Dhenga – the news was met with either delight or, in some instances, disappointment as a few recruits missed out on their top choices.

This reality was addressed by guest of honour Colonel David Robinson OBE, Colonel of the Brigade of Gurkhas, who reassured the recruits that they were all an essential part of the Gurkha family.

So far, not a single recruit of the 323 who arrived in Catterick in February has dropped out of training – a remarkable feat given how challenging the course is known to be.

The trainee riflemen are scheduled to pass out of training in November.