Captain Deepakkumar Gurung - Commandant Soldier Academy Commendation

Captain Deepakkumar Gurung, serving as Staff Officer Grade 3 (G7) at the Second Infantry Training Battalion (2 ITB), Infantry Training Centre, Catterick, has been awarded the Commandant Soldier Academy Commendation. This award, recognising his outstanding dedication, professionalism and exemplary service, was formally presented to him by Colonel Gary Robertson MBE (Deputy Commander, Soldier Academy).

Captain Gurung has modernised Infantry Initial Trade Training (ITT) across 2 ITB by aligning exercises across five companies, easing resource demands while maintaining training quality and safety. As Training Officer, he led the battalion shooting team, creating a march and shoot competition that boosts trainee confidence and resilience. He introduced advanced shooting programmes, improving both theory and practice, which helped the team achieve notable competition successes and ensured all new firers reached Army100 standards. Sharing his expertise with the First Infantry Training Battalion (1 ITB) and embedding lessons from the Combat Marksmanship Development Course, he enhanced marksmanship training across the Infantry Training Centre. His implementation of the Advanced Operational Marksmanship Assessment exemplifies his commitment to innovation and continuous improvement, deserving formal recognition.

Furthermore, his introduction of the Small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS) into ITT, alongside the integration of the 12 Threats framework, marks a significant milestone in the modernisation of infantry training. He consistently fosters a culture of innovation and continuous improvement to effectively respond to evolving threats and the complexities of modern warfare. This approach not only enhances training but also equips trainees and recruits with a solid foundation in understanding current and emerging threats, better preparing them for their transition to field army units.