Infantry
The Royal Gurkha Rifles
The Gurkhas are a unique unit in the Army with a reputation of being amongst the finest and most feared soldiers in the world.
Our Skills
All Gurkha soldiers are recruited in Nepal. British Officers are recruited from across the UK and Commonwealth.
The Royal Gurkha Rifles currently have a jungle role Battalion permanently based in Brunei and a Light Role Battalion in the UK as part of 16 Air Assault Brigade.
All Officers are expected to speak Nepali and will attend a language course in Nepal. The Gurkhas have only been eligible for the Victoria Cross since 1911. During this time 26 have been awarded, 13 to British Officers and 13 to Gurkha Soldiers.
Our History
The Royal Gurkha Rifles was formed on 1 July 1994, after amalgamation of four Gurkha Regiments, 2 GR, 6 GR, 7 GR and 10 GR.
During this time, battalions of the Royal Gurkha Rifles have taken part in operations in Kosovo, Bosnia, East Timor, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Australia, Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Royal Gurkha Rifles now consists of two battalions, one of which is based in Shorncliffe in Kent, and the other in Brunei.
A more detailed history on the Gurkha service to the crown, and of our forebear Regiments can be found on our association website.
Our Location
There are now 2 battalions of the Royal Gurkha Rifles:
- 1 Royal Gurkha Rifles located at Shorncliffe, Kent.
- 2 Royal Gurkha Rifles located in Brunei.
Jungle Battalion
Officer Recruitment
Most of our British Officers have degrees but some enter the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst direct from school or having previously joined the Army as a soldier. If you wish to become a Gurkha Officer please contact the Army Careers Adviser (ACA) who covers your school or university.
Alternatively, apply online via the Army Jobs website. Recruiting Group will then confirm your qualifications and put you in touch with the relevant ACA. Further more, anyone who wishes to know more about joining the Royal Gurkha Rifles as an officer should contact the Regimental Secretary.