On 15 May 2025, Corporal Kiran Gurung (The Queen’s Gurkha Engineers) graduated as an Army Parachute Jump Instructor (APJI). Here is his story of that success.
After completing one of the most demanding and rewarding courses in the military. I stood on the Aviators bars at RAF Brize Norton, not just as a soldier but as the first Gurkha ever to wear the PJI brevet. It felt like a step forward for every Gurkha who ever dreamed of flying but did not see someone who looked like them standing in that dispatch door.
The PJI course demands full dedication and resilience. There were 10 of us on this intake. I was the only Gurkha representing 70 Gurkha Parachute Squadron, The Queen’s Gurkha Engineers (QGE) and the Brigade of Gurkhas. 6 months of relentless pursuit to excellence, we went beyond our mental and physical limit. We were not just learning to jump; we were learning to teach others how to jump out of the aircraft, how to land safely and how to survive.
I taught four Basic Parachute Courses, all under constant assessment by experienced PJI’s from Instructor Training Flight and Parachute Training School. From ground training to exits and landings, every student who stepped out that door trusted that we had prepared them. I was not just earning my instructor badge, I was developing to the leader that I always hoped to be.
This is not just about Jumping, this is about contributing to something bigger. As an APJI, I now have an opportunity to train soldiers from across 16 Air Assault Brigade. From Parachute Company graduates to foreign airborne troops on joint exercises, I will be part of their journey into the skies. But beyond that, I see my role as a bridge between UK trained Army personnel and Gurkha trained army personnel, uniting under a shared Airborne ethos. As someone who has lived both sides, I understand the potential that comes from unity. This role gives me the platform to strengthen that connection and build trust, capability, and shared excellence across our ranks. It also allows me to give back to the Brigade of Gurkhas to honour those who came before me, and to help shape the path for those who will follow.
I was delighted that the Gurkha Major QGE Major Khadka Gurung attended the graduation ceremony. And one day, when I look back on my military career, I know this will be one of the chapters of which I will be most proud. Not because I was the first. But because I hope I will not be the last. To the next generation of Gurkhas or any soldiers who dares to dream, do not hold back. The sky is yours.
