For 320 newly trained Gurkhas, 4 November 2026 marked the proud culmination of an extraordinary journey as they completed 39 weeks of intensive training and marched onto the parade square at Catterick.
That journey began in Nepal in 2025 and led to Final Selection in Pokhara in February 2026. Following their Attestation Parade, the successful recruits travelled to the United Kingdom, where they began the demanding military, educational and cultural awareness training required to prepare them for service.
In front of senior guests, friends and proud family members, the Trainees delivered an impressive Pass Out Parade, stretching across the Catterick parade square and demonstrating the discipline and professionalism developed during their training.
Their achievement reflects the determination, fitness and ability of the Trainees, together with the dedication of Gurkha Training Company and the experienced instructors drawn from across the Brigade of Gurkhas.
The parade brought their training journey to a fitting conclusion while marking something even more significant: the beginning of their careers as trained Gurkha soldiers.
Lieutenant General Zac Stenning CB OBE, Commander Land Forces, was the Inspecting Officer for the parade. Major Gyanbahadur Dhenga (1 RGR) served as Parade Commander, with Captain Surendra Tamang (2 RGR) as Second-in-Command and Warrant Officer Class Two Roshan Gurung (1 RGR) as Company Sergeant Major.
Addressing the newly trained Gurkhas, the General Stenning congratulated them on their achievement and said was a pleasure it was to attend their pass our parade. He said they the parade did not just mark the end of their training, but is the start of something much greater. You now join the ranks of the British Army and become part of the extraordinary story of Gurkha Service, a tradition built over many generations on courage, loyalty and friendship. He went on to say that the Gurkhas are a valued and fundamentally important part of the British Army today.
Music for the occasion was provided by The Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas, under the direction of Captain Sunil Gurung (Assistant Director of Music).
Prize Winners
- Champion Platoon – 4 Iraq Platoon, Commanded by Captain Praveen Kishor Rai (2 RGR)
- Champion Section – 2 Kandahar Platoon, 3 Section; Commanded by Corporal Sandip Gurung (GSPS)
- Commandant’s Trophy – Sergeant Laonya Limbu, 6 Assaye Platoon Sergeant
- Best Platoon Commander 26 – Captain Dhan Prasad Ghale
- Role Model Trophy – Corporal Bikram Pata, 2 Kandahar Platoon Section Commander
- Fittest Trainee – Trainee Rifleman Buddha lal Muktan (7 Platoon, 3 Section)
- Most Improved English Trainee – Trainee Rifleman Parbat Rai (8 Platoon, 3 Section)
- Overall Champion Recruit – Trainee Rifleman Bibek Rai (5 Platoon, 1 Section)
