The Life-Changing Journey Of Being Selected As A Gurkha | Forces TV
Forces News・2 minutes read
The Gurkha class of 2019, featuring 400 trainee soldiers, is the largest intake in the UK in over 30 years, primarily composed of teenagers from Nepal. The rigorous selection process, including a new test for hyperextending elbows and the infamous dhoka race, ensures that only 4% of applicants make it through to join the British Army, with recruits undergoing various preparations before embarking on a life-changing journey.
Insights
- The Gurkha class of 2019, with 400 trainee soldiers from Nepal, represents the largest intake in the UK in over 30 years, selected through a rigorous process including unique physical tests like the dhoka race, showcasing the stringent standards upheld by the British Army in recruiting only the best candidates.
- The recruits' transition into the British Army involves meticulous preparations, symbolized by the exchange of old belongings for new uniforms and equipment, emphasizing the significance of this journey and the recruits' pride in upholding the esteemed legacy of the Gurkhas in the British military.
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Recent questions
How many trainee soldiers are in the Gurkha class of 2019?
400
What is the selection process for recruits from Nepal like?
Rigorous tests, including a dhoka race
How many applicants from Nepal apply to join the British Army annually?
10,000
What percentage of applicants successfully make it through the selection process?
4%
What preparations do recruits undergo before joining the British Army?
Receive new uniforms, body armor, and measurements for city outfits
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Summary
00:00
"400 Nepali Teens Join UK Army"
- The Gurkha class of 2019 consists of 400 trainee soldiers, the largest intake in the UK in over 30 years, mostly teenagers from Nepal.
- The British Army has recruited young men from Nepal for 200 years, with 10,000 applicants annually, aiming to fight for the UK.
- Selection for the British Army begins in September in Nepal, with recruiting officers traveling across the country to gather potential recruits.
- The recruiting campaign this year was extensive, advertised on all of Nepal's radio stations, with recruiting officers reaching out to diverse sectors of society.
- The selection process involves rigorous tests, including a new test to check for hyperextending elbows, ensuring only the best candidates are chosen.
- The final selection in Pokhara, Nepal, includes the infamous dhoka race, where recruits run uphill with 25 kilos of sand on their foreheads.
- Successful recruits are invited to join the British Army, with only 4% of applicants making it through the selection process.
- The recruits undergo various preparations, including phone calls to their families, getting new uniforms, body armor, and being measured for their city outfits.
- The recruits' old belongings are sent back to their families, as they receive new items for their journey into the British Army.
- The recruits are excited and proud to join the British Army, with the belief that each new intake will be better than the last, continuing the legacy of the Gurkhas in the British military.
18:58
"Recruits prepare for parade perfection in Yorkshire"
- Recruits are preparing for a parade in front of dignitaries and families, aiming for perfection in their drill lesson, with the front rank advised to ensure their team is in a precise formation within 245 days, guided by the legacy of Captain Bach who mentored the narrator and instilled survival skills in army life.
- Instructors from Gurkha company in Yorkshire's Catterick Garrison are awaiting new recruits who have just a week to grasp the basics before flying to the UK, emphasizing the importance of camaraderie and support from comrades and marines in this new journey that marks the beginning of a life-changing job serving the country and the Queen.
