I attended RMAS in 1999.
The following is a press release from the MOD:
"Following the Government's announcement of plans to restructure the Army and with the handing back of Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China (30th June 1997), necessitating the withdraw of the military garrison, the size of the Brigade of Gurkhas has been reduced. On 1st July 1994 the four Gurkha Rifle Regiments, 2 GR, 6 GR, 7 GR and 10 GR reformed into a large regiment titled the Royal Gurkha Rifles (RGR). Initially the regiment consisted of three battalions; however on the withdrawal of 1 RGR from Hong Kong to the UK 3 RGR was disbanded in November 1996. 2 RGR is currently stationed in Brunei. the regiment provides three reinforcement companies to 1 Royal Scots, 1st Battalion the Princess of Wales Regiment and 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment. they also have two demonstration companies, at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and infantry Training Centre Wales."
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In days of yore, the gurkha regiments were almost entirely officered by British Army regular officers.
It is the british army's aim to have the remaining gurkha contingent officered as much as is practicable by netive Nepalese officers, most of whom will be sent to Sandhurst as cadets (i.e. not having had regular army experience).
What seems to be happening is that potential nepalese cadets are sent to the UK to finish the last few years of their schooling at UK educational establishments before Sandhurst. The rest are lumped in with the other 'foreign nationals' trained at Sandhurst (who make up 20-25% of each intake). These overseas cadets are not treated any differently from UK officer cadets, and are distributed evenly throughout the platoons (my platoon of 24 cadets had seven overseas cadets, from Thailand, Burma, Nepal, Tanzania, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Brunei).
When I saw they are accorded mo special favours, I mean it. King Hussein of Jordan (now sadly passed away) ascended to the throne whilst still a cadet at Sandhurst (in the late 1950s), and chose to complete his studies. After one particularly poor attempt at scaling a wall on the assault course, he was politely dragged through a mudpit by a member of the Directing Staff with the memorable comment "Get your ****ing arse up that ****ing wall you miserable sack of ****, Mr King of Jordan, SIR!"
Which nicely illustrates the fact that gurkha officers, most of whom now go through sandhurst like any other british army cadet, are the proud equals of any that have trained there.
The following is a press release from the MOD:
"Following the Government's announcement of plans to restructure the Army and with the handing back of Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China (30th June 1997), necessitating the withdraw of the military garrison, the size of the Brigade of Gurkhas has been reduced. On 1st July 1994 the four Gurkha Rifle Regiments, 2 GR, 6 GR, 7 GR and 10 GR reformed into a large regiment titled the Royal Gurkha Rifles (RGR). Initially the regiment consisted of three battalions; however on the withdrawal of 1 RGR from Hong Kong to the UK 3 RGR was disbanded in November 1996. 2 RGR is currently stationed in Brunei. the regiment provides three reinforcement companies to 1 Royal Scots, 1st Battalion the Princess of Wales Regiment and 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment. they also have two demonstration companies, at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and infantry Training Centre Wales."
-------------------
In days of yore, the gurkha regiments were almost entirely officered by British Army regular officers.
It is the british army's aim to have the remaining gurkha contingent officered as much as is practicable by netive Nepalese officers, most of whom will be sent to Sandhurst as cadets (i.e. not having had regular army experience).
What seems to be happening is that potential nepalese cadets are sent to the UK to finish the last few years of their schooling at UK educational establishments before Sandhurst. The rest are lumped in with the other 'foreign nationals' trained at Sandhurst (who make up 20-25% of each intake). These overseas cadets are not treated any differently from UK officer cadets, and are distributed evenly throughout the platoons (my platoon of 24 cadets had seven overseas cadets, from Thailand, Burma, Nepal, Tanzania, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Brunei).
When I saw they are accorded mo special favours, I mean it. King Hussein of Jordan (now sadly passed away) ascended to the throne whilst still a cadet at Sandhurst (in the late 1950s), and chose to complete his studies. After one particularly poor attempt at scaling a wall on the assault course, he was politely dragged through a mudpit by a member of the Directing Staff with the memorable comment "Get your ****ing arse up that ****ing wall you miserable sack of ****, Mr King of Jordan, SIR!"
Which nicely illustrates the fact that gurkha officers, most of whom now go through sandhurst like any other british army cadet, are the proud equals of any that have trained there.