Trusted Guardians of the Monarch
The Household Cavalry is a union of the two most senior regiments in the British Army; The Life Guards and The Blues & Royals. It is divided into the Household Cavalry Regiment and the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.
The Household Cavalry Regiment is the operational unit, providing an armoured reconnaissance capability with the state-of-the-art AJAX armoured fighting vehicle. Our soldiers are first are foremost armoured reconnaissance experts but also specialise in other battle winning capabilities, including snipers, anti-tanks, remotely piloted air systems, and information activity.
The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment are the ceremonial face of the regiment, conducting mounted state and public duties in London. Their prestige and horsemanship takes them across the UK and the rest of the world on key international events, all whilst representing the Monarch and the Nation.
AJAX CREWMEN
Every trooper starts out as part of an AJAX crew. You will train as a driver, learning how to care for and maintain your vehicle, while getting a feel for moving tactically across difficult terrain.
You will then progress to being a gunner, learning to operate the the AJAX's fully automatic 40mm cannon and suite of integrated visual sights and auditory sensors.
Finally you will have gained the necessary experience to command your own vehicle. The highlight of most careers, you are ultimately responsible for vehicle and crew. Making command decisions on the ground, you will have a direct impact on the battle around you.
MOUNTED DUTYMEN
As a Mounted Dutymen, you will be trained over 20 weeks, to ride and groom a horse and prepare for parade. By the time you join your Squadron you’ll be able to think for yourself and think for your horse, and within as little as a week you will find yourself on parade with the whole world watching. Trooping the Colour, the State Opening of Parliament, jubilee parades and visits by foreign heads of state take place each year. You will take your place on parade as the sovereign’s mounted bodyguard.
SPECIALIST
Once you have gained experience as a Mounted Dutyman and AJAX crewman, the Household Cavalry's core roles, there is the opportunity to specialise in a number of other areas. The most common are:



FACTS & FIGURES
ACTIVE FROM
1660
ROLE
Armoured Reconnaissance and Ceremonial Duties
Vehicle Platform
AJAX
Our Role
The Household Cavalry Regiment is an elite cavalry unit, taking part in every major conflict since 1660. This rich history and wealth of experience shapes who we are today.
Whether mounted on the British Army's flagship new AJAX armoured fighting vehicle, or on the back of a cavalry black horse, our soldiers are the very best at what they do.
As an armoured reconnaissance regiment, the Household Cavalry operates far ahead of the main body of friendly forces. Their role is to locate and report on the movement and disposition of enemy forces, and engage and destroy enemy reconnaissance elements that are seeking to do do the same.
From the turret of an AJAX to the back of a horse, the discipline and skill our soldiers are expected to display is exemplary. Our state ceremonial and public duties take us to the streets of London, where our soldiers learn to care for their horse, their kit, and themselves. As guardians of the Monarch and the Nation, we take pride in leading the way in armoured warfare, while maintaining the traditions of those who came before.
Past to Present
The Household Cavalry Regiment's legacy dates back to 1660 and is formed from four antecedent regiments, The 1st Life Guards, 2nd Life Guards, Royal Horse Guards, and 1st (Royal) Dragoons. In 1922 the 1st and 2nd Life Guards amalgamated forming The Life Guards (LG). In 1969 the Royal Horse Guards and 1st (Royal) Dragoons amalgamated to form The Blues and Royals (RHG/D).
In 1992, the LG and RHG/D where joined in union to form the Household Cavalry Regiment as we know it today, serving together but with each maintaining their own distinct regimental identity, uniforms, and traditions.
Since 1992, the Household Cavalry Regiment has continued to serve with distinction both at home and abroad.
Our Locations
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Household Cavalry Regiment
Address: Ward Barracks, Bulford Camp, SP4 9NY
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Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment
Address: Hyde Park barracks, Knightsbridge, London, SW7 1SE Contact: 0207 41 42501
See HCMR at Holkham Beach
List of Equipment in addition to AJAX
General Purpose Machine Gun
L115A3 Long Range 'Sniper' Rifle
Guided Weapons
L129A1 Sharpshooter Rifle
SA80 Individual Weapon
COMBAT BODY ARMOUR
Personal Clothing
Panther

Royal Armoured Corps
The Royal Armoured Corps (RAC) provides the armour capability of the British Army. It combines speed, momentum, firepower and reconnaissance capabilities with armoured fighting vehicles such as the Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank and Jackal Fighting Vehicle.
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