A total of 274 trainee Gurkhas paraded in a cap badging ceremony to receive their new unit insignias recently at the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick.
Gurkha recruits celebrate cap badging ceremony at Infantry Training Centre
Two instructors from Infantry Training Centre receive their Long Service Good Conduct medal
A total of 274 trainee Gurkhas paraded in a cap badging ceremony to receive their new unit insignias recently at the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick.
The mission of the Gurkhas is to transform young Nepalese recruits into highly trained soldiers who uphold the proud traditions of the Brigade of Gurkhas.
The mission of the Gurkhas is to transform young Nepalese recruits into highly trained soldiers who uphold the proud traditions of the Brigade of Gurkhas.
Throughout their training, the recruits undergo a rigorous programme that includes: the Brigade's ethos, language and cultural training, career management, and trade selection. They also complete the demanding 26-week Combat Infantry Course, the same course undertaken by the Line infantry.
"It’s a very big day for the company. I have been with the recruits since their selection in Nepal. The cap badging ceremony is a fantastic way to celebrate the recruits and their journey at the Infantry Training Centre so far."
Captain Surendra Tamang, Second in Command, 2nd Infantry Training Battalion said: "It’s a very big day for the company. I have been with the recruits since their selection in Nepal.
"The cap badging ceremony is a fantastic way to celebrate the recruits and their journey at the Infantry Training Centre so far."
Following the cap badging ceremony, the recruits will join their respective units within the Brigade of Gurkhas to continue their basic training.
Each trainee is assigned to one of the Brigade's eight units.
"Although it is very tough, basic training is really helping me with my self-confidence as well as learning the military skills I need to continue my career."
Drishya Rai, aged 21, who is joining the Queens Gurkha Engineers, said: “Although it is very tough, basic training is really helping me with my self-confidence as well as learning the military skills I need to continue my career.
“I feel like I’m dreaming, coming from Nepal to Catterick is amazing and a dream come true. I’m lost for words with my experience so far.”
The Gurkha training course is widely regarded as one of the toughest in the British Army.
"When I knew I was going to GSPS, I was extremely happy and bursting with joy. I am very proud to be joining GSPS and looking forward to the rest of my career."
Suraj Shrestha, aged 19, is joining the Gurkha Staff and Personal Support (GSPS) Company.
He said: “When I knew I was going to GSPS, I was extremely happy and bursting with joy. I am very proud to be joining GSPS and looking forward to the rest of my career."
The cap badging ceremony is a key milestone in the Gurkha calendar, symbolising the recruits' transition into their new roles and the continuation of their military careers.
“The cap badging celebration was the best moment of this journey so far. My family are very proud of me for what I’ve done so far, and they were extremely happy for me when I told them I was in the GSPS.
"I’m very happy today. The Band of the Brigade was my first-choice unit. I’m very interested in music and musical instruments, so this is a perfect fit for me. I am looking forward to my future in the British Army."
“The environment is very different. You move from a civilian in Nepal, to a soldier in the British Army. The process has changed me into a very good man and soldier.”
The Gurkhas will continue their basic training at ITC and pass out in November.
Kushal Rai, aged 21, joining The Band of The Brigade, said: “The journey so far has been very tough, but with my integrity and hard work I was able to push through.
“I’m very happy today. The Band of the Brigade was my first-choice unit. I’m very interested in music and musical instruments, so this is a perfect fit for me. I am looking forward to my future in the British Army.”
The Brigade of Gurkhas is a unique organisation in the British Army, numbering more than 4,000, with a reputation of being amongst the finest and most feared soldiers in the world.
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