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1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards

1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards (QDG) is the Cavalry Regiment of Wales and the Border Counties (Shropshire, Herefordshire and Cheshire). It is the senior Regiment of the Line in the British Army and has 328 years of distinguished history.

Operational role

It is one of the most operationally experienced regiments in the Army having seen action as the reconnaissance force during the Gulf War, Iraq War and more recently in Afghanistan.

The Regiment's reconnaissance role is to operate ahead of the main armoured and infantry formations, scouting forward to find the enemy, passing back timely and accurate information to shape the plan, and fixing the enemy in place so they can be defeated.

With recent conflicts this role has adapted and QDG offers the flexibility to adapt to roles across the spectrum of conflict.

Careers

A career in the QDG can be extremely varied. From being a driver of an armoured vehicle within a Sabre Squadron, progressing to being a Gunner manning either a 30mm cannon in the Scimitar armoured vehicle or Heavy Machine Guns (HMG) and/or Grenade Machine Guns (GMG) on a Jackal patrol vehicle, to controlling air support as a Forward Air Controller or becoming a Sniper and gaining exceptional infantry skills.
Chinook landing

Where is QDG based and what does it do?

QDG are currently based at Dempsey Barracks in Sennelager, Germany as part of 20th Armoured Brigade. However, the Regiment is due to return to the UK in 2015 and will be based at Swanton Morley in Norfolk as part of 7 Infantry Brigade.

The Regiment is currently changing as part of Army 2020 restructuring to take the Light Cavalry role. This will see the Regiment based on the Jackal patrol vehicle as part of the Adaptable Force - a highly manoeuvrable unit ready to be deployed anywhere in the world.

The Regiment trains for all eventualities in all environments. Recent training exercises have varied from the grassy plains of Canada, to the savannah lands of Kenya, to the thick Jungle of Brunei. With time included for a bit of adventure training and a few days to visit the local towns, this is certainly an interesting, varied and rewarding life.


So why should you join?

If you are fit, bright and well-motivated, capable of using your initiative and want to broaden your horizons and seek adventure, you may be just what we are looking for.

We can offer you a rich, rewarding and secure career of between four or twenty-two years. You will be part of an incredibly close-knit team and make friends that will last a lifetime. Why not get in touch with our recruiting staff to explore a career in QDG.

Explore these pages to gain a greater understanding of what QDG soldiers do in the service of their country. They are an outstanding bunch who serve with exceptional courage, selfless commitment, loyalty, integrity, respect for others and discipline.