Nepal - Pokhara - British Gurkha recruits swear allegience to Queen

New recruits of the Royal Gurkha Regiment swear allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen’s portrait during their passing-out parade at their camp at Pokhara, Nepal. After being recruited into the regiment after a gruelling series of tests to eliminate the weaker and less able candidates, the lucky 160 fly to the UK for basic training. 60,000 boys aged between 17-22 (or 25 for those more educated to become clerks or communications specialists) report to designated recruiting stations in the hills each November, most living from altitudes ranging from 4,000-12,000 feet. After initial selection, 7,000 are accepted for further tests from which 700 are sent down here to Pokhara in the shadow of the Himalayas. Only 160 of the best boys succeed in the journey to the UK. Nepal has been supplying youth for the British army since the Indian Mutiny of 1857

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Filename: gurkha_recruitment05-16-01-1997_1.jpg
Copyright: Richard Baker
Image Size: 4096x2664 / 890.0KB; British Army Gurkha Himalayas MoD Nepal Nepali Pokhara adolescent altitude army boy career colonial competition departing duty education ethnic historic history homeland honour infantry military pride prospects recruit regiment reputation service talent trained young youth ultimate supply soldiers traditional training selection foothills joining practice trying effort honor commitment lifetime salary pension security Nepalese outdoor tough testosterone macho well-known notorious boys lads kids future hardest toughest organised disciplined together equality armed forces defense defence Regiment of Gurkhas Gurkhas Regiment parade boyhood swearing allegiance Queen Elizabeth portrait flag union jack barracks compound camp uniform RGR royal respect head royal royalty
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New recruits of the Royal Gurkha Regiment swear allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen’s portrait during their passing-out parade at their camp at Pokhara, Nepal. After being recruited into the regiment after a gruelling series of tests to eliminate the weaker and less able candidates, the lucky 160 fly to the UK for basic training. 60,000 boys aged between 17-22 (or 25 for those more educated to become clerks or communications specialists) report to designated recruiting stations in the hills each November, most living from altitudes ranging from 4,000-12,000 feet. After initial selection, 7,000 are accepted for further tests from which 700 are sent down here to Pokhara in the shadow of the Himalayas. Only 160 of the best boys succeed in the journey to the UK. Nepal has been supplying youth for the British army since the Indian Mutiny of 1857