Brigade of Gurkhas Gets a ‘New’ Battalion

The Allied Rapid Reaction Corps Support Battalion has been re-designated as part of the Brigade of Gurkhas and renamed accordingly. Now known as the Gurkha Allied Rapid Reaction Corps Support Battalion, the formation will continue to enable and provide force protection to HQ ARRC, the British-led NATO warfighting outfit. Speaking at a parade to mark… Read More

The Impact of COVID on Gurkha Selection

The latest intake of Gurkha recruits have completed the selection process despite coronavirus restrictions. A total of 340 aspiring soldiers were due to arrive in Catterick as this issue went to press, having been whittled down from 1,600 hopefuls in their native Nepal. With social distancing and regular hand washing becoming the norm, applicants quickly… Read More

ATR Pirbright Hosts Doko Challenge

Instructors from ATR Pirbright hosted their very own Doko challenge on the training ground’s infamous Concrete Hill and raised more than £3,000 for an NHS charity. Based on the traditional Gurkha recruitment race, 20 permanent staff took part in the early morning challenge that involved teams of five carrying a 20 kg traditional woven Nepalese… Read More

Not Come So Far In Order To Run Away…

“In [1814], Lieutenant Frederick Young, … [led 2000 irregulars against 200] Gurkhas in the hills. Their first showing, when not yet drawn together by any marked esprit de corps, was a poor one. The Gurkhas attacked on sight, whereupon the irregulars incontinently fled, leaving the chagrined Young with a handful of officers where he stood.… Read More

Men Like You…

“In [1814], Lieutenant Frederick Young, … [led 2000 irregulars against 200] Gurkhas in the hills. Their first showing, when not yet drawn together by any marked esprit de corps, was a poor one. The Gurkhas attacked on sight, whereupon the irregulars incontinently fled, leaving the chagrined Young with a handful of officers where he stood.… Read More

Are the Gurkhas Part of NATO?

As outlined by Major Shane Burton (RGR), Chief of Staff at the Headquarters Brigade of Gurkhas: “The Brigade of Gurkhas is an integral part of the British Army and as such these troops are indeed part of Nato. Gurkha units have been deployed as part of British Armed Forces supporting numerous Nato operations including Bosnia,… Read More

New Webpage: Gurkha Recruitment & Selection Overview

I have just uploaded a new webpage ‘Gurkha Recruitment & Selection Overview‘ within the UK pages of the military training section. This page contains: Brief history of the Gurkhas; Commissioned officer roles; Application and general eligibility criteria; Village visits; Regional selection; Central selection; and Useful links, documents and references.