The Gurkhas are recruited from Nepal into the British Army. Brought up in the foothills of the Himalayas, they are ideally suited to the light infantry role where endurance and ingenuity are at a premium. 

For many Gurkhas, service in the British Army is a strong family tradition, but competition to join is fierce. Gurkha soldiers come from tight knit communities where mutual respect and trust are instilled from an early age.

One of the strengths of a Gurkha battalion on operations today is the ability of the soldiers to understand cultural nuances, and to empathise with people in conflict zones. Unforgiving in battle, the soldiers are equally generous and warm hearted to those who are affected by conflict.

Nepal is changing rapidly, and the education standards demanded of the soldiers are high. Most soldiers will join the British Army having already attained a high standards of English. This is then developed through an intensive language package during recruit training.

The majority of Gurkhas are either Hindu or Buddhist, and the Regiment observes the appropriate religious festivals. The most notable in the annual calendar is Dasain, which is a major event with long established and colourful rituals and traditions.