In November 2005 the four regiments of the Light Division agreed to form The Rifles and issued the following Principles.
 
INTRODUCTION

The formation of The Rifles is taking place against a background of change and uncertainty in the international security environment, as well as in the Army. This situation is an opportunity for us to form a Regiment designed to excel on the operations of the 21st Century, rather as Sir John Moore did in forming the Light Division at the beginning of the 19th Century. We will create something new that, while it draws on the traditions and example of our past, is forward looking and can adapt to a dynamic operational environment. These principles set out the ethos and characteristics of The Rifles, and the path down which we will embark, recognising that the Regiment must have room to evolve in the future.

THE RIFLEMAN

At the centre of The Rifles' philosophy is an understanding of the partnership, collective identity and unity of purpose that are all implied in the term Rifleman - as it is applied to all ranks. Usage and understanding of the term has three aspects - an expression of collective identity based on individual qualities which delivers a common approach to the conduct of operations:

Collective Identity. All who serve in The Rifles are Riflemen, regardless of rank. The term Rifleman is an expression of common and united identity, embodying a close bond of comradeship rooted in respect, trust and pride, and forged through shared experience and hardship. It invokes a spirit of equality, within the hierarchy of command, which recognises that good ideas can, and will, come from everyone. The Regiment is a brotherhood of Riflemen that delivers the unity of purpose and mutual understanding that makes mission command a natural and effortless method of operating. We always aim to set the highest professional standards and through our actions we aspire to be known for our excellence, but also for our strong sense of decency and our all-embracing sense of comradeship. We are forward looking and promote freedom of expression, aiming to contribute significantly to the development of military thought. We encourage informality and a relaxed, good-humoured rapport amongst all ranks.

Individual Qualities. Riflemen are expected to demonstrate individual characteristics and professional qualities that set the standard for infantry soldiers. The Rifles carries forward the professional excellence, fighting spirit and discipline of our forming regiments. We place very high value on the unique contribution of the individual. In character we value: self-discipline and courage; decency, integrity and loyalty; quickness of mind, word and deed; suitable ambition, determination and robustness.

Operational Distinctiveness. Our ethos and the nature of Riflemen lead to a shared and distinctive approach to the conduct of operations: we are committed to the unrelenting pursuit of excellence:

Delivering Operations. Under the highest standards of leadership, individual Riflemen combine to form exceptionally effective teams, from fire teams to battalions. This collective effect is uniquely powerful because, although Riflemen act in concert, we are never just cogs in a machine. We think and act independently, guided by a clear understanding of the purpose of our team's mission. Riflemen should embrace mission command, demonstrate agility and independence of thought and action, and be ready to seize opportunity. We are expected to embody our motto: “Swift and Bold”.

Developing and Innovating. We always try to anticipate developments, aiming to be at the forefront in all our operational roles. We have the potential to do this because we think for ourselves and adapt without waiting to be told, and we do it to ensure success for all. We are committed to being in the vanguard of purposeful change within and for the Army.

COMMAND

Command in The Rifles can be very challenging and enormously rewarding. The Regimental ethos means that strong, confident and knowledgeable leadership, combined with subtle yet sure control, are essential to release the full potential of the Riflemen. This holds throughout the chain of our command. The three principal rank groups within the Regiment (the officers; the warrant officers and serjeants; and the junior ranks) operate in a spirit of utmost mutual respect and co-operation.

Officers. Officers command. They must take the lead in every sphere, educating, coaching and inspiring their Riflemen. We need officers who have the potential to excel in command and lead Riflemen on operations. So, we seek to draw upon only the best. They must be able to lead by example in order to release the independent spirit, action and potential of Riflemen. This requires intelligence, insight and a capacity for lateral thought. It demands strength of character. It also calls for a natural gift for communication, style, and a sense of humour and fun. Officers must understand above all, that their Riflemen come first.

Warrant Officers and Serjeants. The Regiment's Warrant Officers and Serjeants support and advise their officers and hold much of the Regiment's experience. They are master tacticians and guardians of standards, experienced and technically expert in so much that obtains at the tactical levels of war and operations. They contribute significantly to the development of junior officers. They too lead by example and nurture Riflemen junior to them. On operations they will assume command when the situation so demands. Their personal example should be inspiring, and they underpin discipline – intelligently, respectfully and firmly – but always seeking to promote self discipline over rigidly imposed forms of blind discipline.

Corporals and Riflemen. Success on operations will come at the point of contact and delivery; this falls mainly to the Corporals and Riflemen. Riflemen work to deliver a decisive and overwhelming effect, usually under the direction and leadership of their commanders. But there may be occasions when they find themselves alone. Under such circumstances they are expected to work things out for themselves, use initiative. So each Rifleman thinks for himself in the interests of the whole. He can speak up, to add his thoughts at the right moment. This demands good judgement and absolute self-discipline; it demands the very highest standards of professionalism.

Service in The Rifles will be challenging, seldom easy and never dull.

A NATIONAL RGIMENT CONNECTED TO ITS PLACES OF ORIGIN

The Rifles is a national Regiment, one of strong regional ties. It knows that it is of its Counties, Cities and Towns. Its diversities actually serve to enrich its unity founded upon common values and utmost commitment to a shared professional ethos.

The Integrated Regiment. Regular Riflemen will be posted across the Regiment according to operational demands and the need for career development, balanced with personal preferences. This process integrates all battalions of the Regiment. Our shared ethos is the key to making this succeed. All Riflemen must feel at home, and be welcomed and treated as such, in any battalion of the Regiment. Each battalion celebrates the history and achievements of all the forming regiments. The belt badge marks this.

Nurturing Our Roots. So much that we hold in common derives from our roots, our Counties, Cities and Towns. We hold in trust the faith and hopes placed upon us by our communities, our places of origin. It is essential therefore that we remain always profoundly close. This closeness is about very much more than recruitment – it is mostly a matter of holding ourselves to account, to our Sovereign and the people we serve. But recruitment represents the lifeblood of the Regiment. For this reason recruiting will remain The Rifles' day-to-day priority. It will be conducted locally and in a way that reinforces the sense of community between the Regiment and its places of origin. This is a challenge for the entire Regiment, so we will do this through The Rifles' Council, The Rifles' Headquarters with its County and City Offices, the County and City Colonels, and The Rifles' Family - Regular battalions, TA battalions and companies, cadet forces, old comrades and dependants. The Rifles' Headquarters will direct all Regular and TA Rifles battalions (and TA companies in other battalions) to support local Regimental recruiting and public relations activities as necessary.

DRESS MUSIC AND TRADITIONS

The Regiment's uniform, symbols, music, customs and traditions are drawn from all the forming regiments, but the overall impression will reflect particularly the unifying military ethos of Sir John Moore's Light Division, with its origins in the Peninsula War, a campaign in which all the founding Regiments served with distinction, sharing battle honours. The uniform is Rifle green with black buttons and accoutrements, and with elements of red, recognizing the heritage of the line regiments. The symbol and cap badge of The Rifles is the bugle. Our distinctive appearance contributes to the sense of pride and belonging shared by all Riflemen, irrespective of place of origin.

Battle honours will not be worn on working dress. Instead, the selected symbols of our past are carried forward on parade uniforms. As a rifle regiment, battalions of The Rifles will not carry Colours. Instead, battle honours are entrusted to each Rifleman, who wears a representative selection of battle honours from all the forming regiments on the cross belt or belt badge. All our officers, warrant officers and serjeants wear cross belts with the Inkerman whistle and chain, used in the past, with the bugle, to communicate with and direct Riflemen. The bugle is central to our musical traditions but music has been carried forward from all our forming regiments. Daily routine in the battalions is marked by bugle calls, and so The Rifles sound, rather than beat, Retreat.

The traditions and customs of all forming regiments will be shared by The Rifles in their entirety, and so the Regiment will celebrate the Battle of Salamanca, 1812 on the 22 nd July as its annual Regimental Day.

CONCLUSION 

The Rifles is a Regiment of excellence. Founded upon the inspiration of the past, The Rifles will be forward thinking. A National Regiment, rich in its diversity, strengthened through shared values, The Rifles will serve The Crown ever faithfully.

The Rifles - "Swift and Bold"

 
Lieutenant General Sir Cedric Delves KBE DSO Col DDLI

Brigadier TJ Gregson MBE Col LI

General Sir Kevin O'Donoghue KCB CBE Col RGBWLI

Major General NJ Cottam OBE Regtl Col Comdt RGJ

Lieutenant General RV Brims CBE DSO Col Comdt Lt Div