Today, soldiers from The Scots Guards received their annual inspection from some of the Army’s toughest judges: Major General Commanding the Household Division, Major General Chris Ghika, the Brigade Major and Garrison Sergeant Major of London District.
During the inspection the soldiers were tested on military knowledge, history, values and standards, and their uniforms. Their presentation and drill was minutely examined throughout.
Although the main role of the Public duties Incremental Companies is the delivery of Ceremonial Duties, these world class soldiers maintain their war-fighting capabilities with regular operational training.
Many will undertake some of the Army’s toughest frontline training alongside the 1st Battalion Scots Guards in military exercises overseas later this year.
Despite some of the soldiers having only joined the Army in the last few weeks, they have had to perfect hundreds of precision ceremonial drill moves and achieve an extremely high standard of turnout in uniform, equipment and bearing.
The Scots Guards’ is infantry regiment of the British Army able to trace its lineage back to 1642, but maintaining their golden thread of excellence on operations and ceremonial duties is no small feat.
In their ceremonial role they are identified by buttons in threes and embroidered thistles on their collars. Their bearskin has no plume.