In reply to djrxp’s comment. I am alway’s proud to see young people joining an ever shrinking British Army, they are expected to do some difficult and thankless jobs and I admire them for wanting to do it. I joined the Army in 1963 at 17 years old and I would join up again today if I could.
I went through training at 1TRRE, Cove Camp, Farnborough, Hants. In April 1964. Royal Engineers. Greetings from a retired Mech./Elec. engineer, NC, USA. For me the Royal Engineers was my first real family. God Bless y’all. I don’t believe Cove Camp exists today.
Excellent vid. In my day (yawn) it was called ‘passing of the square’, but was done individually. This at the 6 week stage. But of course times change which some of the old soldiers commenting must take heed. I joined in 74 and served the full monty. Well done lads.
Very well done to all our brave soldiers who have worked really hard for 11 weeks to make the grade. Each one of you is a hero in the making. God bless you all.
@@djrxp Training under realistic conditions is essential, but on base, Officers and NCOs should show mutual respect and care for their charges. It shouldn't be "them and us", but rather we work together as a team of professional adults.
I remember getting my beret in 1983 and I'm sure if memory serves there were some stuff-ups and a few marched off to the guardhouse! Well done to the commonwealth troops so proud to serve and bula bula what a sacrifice.
In depo para we passed off the square and didn't get a maroon lid no chance. Drill test regimental history etc. There was only 22 of us at that point 7 of us passed out back in the 80s. I think about 60 odd started in our platoon. A lot of the blokes end up washing pans in the cook house till the platoon passes out just to rub it in. Or even worse then that went to a hat regiment haha
11 weeks to pass the drill test? I trained recruits at Winchester as both a Cpl and Sgt...oh..I was a Cavalryman through and through...however...11 weeks seems excessive..I am not going to mention "the length of time" to get these very proud chaps to this level.. It shows something of our society that it is now taking longer to train these fine fellows
I had a slightly longer program, but for Royal Marines the finish of Commando Selection over the bridge is the goal and becomes everything. For these chaps they really feel proud. Please just understand anyone wanting to be negative. The UK way is different but produces fearless, accomplished soldiers who over the last 25 years have been trusted partners to every military force except the Taliban or AlQ. I was never within the planning section when the defence review took away the infantry depots. As most were in really prime real estate says it all.
Did this myself back in 1987 and joined The First Battalion, The 22nd Cheshire Regiment and made life long friends. Not sure about the brown boots but hey ho that`s the modern army for you.
This video makes me curious to see how far I would make it through your basic training. I myself am a U.S. Army veteran (Artileryman & Paratrooper). Congrats as well, cousin!
In the first few months the PS (Permanent Staff) will do everything they can to make you fail. This is considered basic training. After basic, depending on the Corp, you advance to trade training. If you’re interested, you’ll train in areas like Dartmoor, the Yorkshire Moors, Brecon (all of which can kill an unwary person). Every British Solider is an infantryman, with many progressing to other trades (tank crewman myself). All of the combat arms require that you undergo advanced tactical training (equivalent of Company Commander, Squadron Leader). The reason for this is simple, if your commander is killed you can temporarily take command (until normal chain of command is restored).
Same as America your taught as a squad you help each other the failure of one means everyone pays physically (beasting) or bullshit (kit inspection) some do drop out but they are civilians at heart and not cut out to be soldiers not everyone is a bit of a double edged sword good they tried but bad they took the chance of someone who may have excelled
-6:10 I used to hear since childhood army do such left right left right left right. Then I'm watching huge military Related contents on RU-vid. Never seen such thing in RU-vid. Today it becomes true!
They should have done depot para in the eightees. 22 weeks of hell and a passout parade at the end of that. 75 started 30 passed out only 14 of the origionals made the full 22 weeks. Proudest day of my life earning my wings and wearing the maroon beret. Awesome
Hey! I'm so grateful for your videos as they give me an insight on what I should expect when I hopefully join the British Army in a few years. Would the training be different for a Combat Medical Technician?
Hello, fantastic content, very inspiring. I have my assessment coming up in a couple weeks and these videos are a great motivation to pass and hopefully start my training as soon as possible. Keep up the good work brother
I joined in 86 when Pirbright was the guards depot. It was hell on earth but at the end of it it turned out top class soldiers for those of us who could stick it. Back then the average pass rate was about 25% mainly due to all the drill and bullshit. It sets you in good stead for the rest of your career. 😊
So, an old American veteran here. Got a couple of questions, if I may. The 11 Week Drill Inspection. It obviously inspects the basic drill and deportment of the recruits. In the interview phase when the recruit is handed their beret, does this mean that they've been accepted by that regiment or just that they have the basic knowledge to proceed with a qualifying course? Also, I noticed that the berets weren't 'fresh' from the box, that they'd been formed and stiffened into shape. In the US, it is our custom for each man to do that himself. One of the marks of the New Guy is process to get his beanie into the proper 'crush'. It occurs to me that these new men might be getting a 'legacy' beret... that a veteran has offered a new soldier one of his caps to welcome the new trooper into the 'brotherhood' so to speak. Is that the case here? Thanks in advance. I hope that the Officers, Instructors, Men and Recruits of ITC Catterick will accept the respect and regards of an old American cavalry corporal who humped the ruck likely before many of you lad were born. Tip of the Stetson to you.
You are issued with your beret at the start, shape it and put it away. It’s then sat as a goal for you until you pass off the square/beret parade. It’s the half way point (or was I my day) you are no longer a craphat but still not there.
We did this at week 7 when i was there in 2015. Weird that they changed it. When they get their berets people feel a sense of pride and they feel more like they are "in" the army. It increases their chances of sticking with the rest of training and not leaving. Makes no sense to delay that to week 11 when we are low on recruit numbers.
Our first 6 weeks were called CMSR (Common Military Syllabus Recruits), is it still known as that or just Phase 1. Then on Friday of week 6 we had our Drill test in morning (usual drill and Corp history and key Regt personnel quiz etc ftom the BC then OC). We'd have lunch then was the Gas Chamber tests (sorry respirator testing facility lol). Usual S6 then later S10 drills, and the questions name rank number home address number backwards, and DS then said repeat as never heard you lmao. We had plenty of time to get a quick shower then get the transport to the station for well deserved first weekend leave. Returning by Sunday. The last 4 weeks was taken up with a week adventure training at Sennybridge on the confidence course, milling etc. Then more in depth drill, and then weapons drill. Then 4 day exercise on week 8. Week 9 was test after test. Then disco on the sat. Week 10 Mon to Fri a.m was All day on the parade ground. Practising for passing out parade. I passed out as best recruit. I first joined as a Jnr Ldr Royal Artillery in June 88. Oct 88 Ruptured Achilles tendon, 5 months into the years course. So either backsquad or rejoin at 17.5yrs. My first choice was Royal Corps of Transport Maritime, so reinlisted. Did the 6 week drill test as a Jnr Recruit to then obtain RA Jnr Gnr rank and shoulder titles. Did the RCT drill test from Recruit to Dvr Rec with shoulder titles. They were little proud moments, cause you knew you were now on the way to being a trained recruit. I did 3 yrs on Army Landing Craft and Mexeflote rafts, and small fast ribs, patrol boats and tid tug/workboats etc. I arrived as a fully trained Seaman class 3 Dvr RCT the day we put on a war footing for the first Gulf. Served during Op Granby, but on standby as one half of Regt in Tent city Al juabai Saudi. Unloading the ships, and protection of the port. Whilst our half loaded 99% of the kit at 17 Port and Maritime Regt RCT (now RLC). Spent 19th birthday on QRF, then later in the week Air war started. We on every hour known from 100 hours down to 1 hours notice to ship out and back again. Had all the jabs that Gulf War Syndrome caused. One hour standby about to climb the coach, Sadaam surrendered. Regt spent next 2 years brining back kit from the Gulf via Cyprus. I served mainly at sea, but did 91 and 92 on the RA Ranges Benbecula and St Kilda for 2 x 1 month tours (best place I've ever been to. On Bucket list to return). I left in March 93, 4 weeks before RCT to RLC rebadge. I was going to do full 22yrs, as loved the trade. But step dad had said if I get out at 21, I can apply to join Southampton Container Berth at 22. I did in 94. Earning £300 to £800 plus a week as a Stevedore and Docker. After 4 yrs left to join Aircraft Industry. Took 11 grand pay cut to start at bottom. Was a Grade 1 Storekeeper to start then worked my way to Grade 3 fully qualified in 99% of the stores on site. Then got Grade 4 role (only 4 on whole site) as became Goods In Sheet Turner, and Conductivity tester for the metal and special materials arriving. Started various Night school City and Guilds. Got offered a Semi-Skilled Deburer (same pay as Grade 5 Stores). Split with my ex in Nov 01. So trained 18 months to join TA for A Troop 63 SAS Sigs Sqn. I had a back issue from April of 93 (think the 3 years on flat bottom landing craft caused it), but xrays found nothing, so plodded on. I was raising money for the company gym I was designing at work, plus company charity. The SSM of 63 Sqn was chatting with me on the first week of pre selection build up course. Cause I'm ex regular, and he lived at the Sgts Mess at 17 Port and Maritime Regt. He was good friends with all my old bosses and mates. They gave me a glowing recommendation. I wanted to try something new, and enjoyed Signals in RA, and at Sea. Typical sods law me lol, even trying something new, I still have a Sgt Maj who knows of me from my old comrades lol. He said why not do a charity parachute jump. I said that's a good idea, esp as I'm petrified of heights, but knew I had to overcome it, cause he wanted to fast track me after the Signals Selection onto internal P Coy course in Brecon. Two birds with one stone. Raise cash for charity and gym, and overcome fear of height. Broke my back 16th March 03. Didnt know I had til after 17yrs of fighting a negligent nhs 93 to 2010. I went on Selection with a broken back. Now my health is a very long ongoing 27yr ongoing multiple degenerative health nightmare. I wrote a letter to the OC of 63 Sqn in 2015. After finally getting my full official diagnosis after operations from 2011 to 2014. I mentioned how sorry I was for letting them down on my selection course in 03. I included my pain and life diary from 93 to that present. So they could see how much strength and determination I obtained from the 200 ish days I spent in the unit. How along with my upbringing, my military and athletical background. I have managed to keep getting back up after each fall. My mottos which are proudly tattooed next to my Army tattoos are: "Forward Forever - Backwards Never. Progress Not Perfection. Adapt and Overcome. Never Give Up Or In". Im 49 in January. Im disabled, no job or ever able to work again. My health issues are My degenerative spinal stenosis disease, severe Sciatica, OCD, PTSD, Aspergers, Anxiety, Depression, and Stress. I'm also dealing with: Right knee, and left hip needing to be replaced, possible Gallstones, new borderline thoirid issue with swelling gone but pain still extreme, boil and huge abscess under my jaw, causing the 4 teeth that needed fillings, now need to be removed whilst in surgery, cause my bones are rare, and stronger than my teeth, with intense ear, head, toothache. All of the above hurting at once whilst I type this comment. I won't ever let it beat me though. I wanted to share this small part of my huge ongoing multiple degenerative health nightmare. Cause if anyone reading this, is in basic training or wish to join. The Basic training and advanced skills I was taught. Really stood me in good step for life. I know 200% without my military background, and training in the best military in the world. I would not be typing this today. Im lucky to never have been in combat. I have no medals. I only made local acting Lance Jack unpaid lol. But the Army prepared me for the biggest war in my life. The war against those personal and external inner demons. Also the huge battle, against ourselves. Some if not all, are the toughest in overcoming. With almost impossible odds. In my day basics were very tough and the discipline harsh. Each generation claiming their basic training was ten times harder than the present recruits training. Which is no lie. I even noticed the difference in discipline in the small gap from jnr ldrs in 88, to RCT basics 14 months later. Let alone the 13 year gap to TA Sigs in 03. The Army may have removed the real harsh discipline down the years. Then replace it with different methods. It is still very clear, that the British Soldier is still moulded from the mangled mess from Civ Street. Then formed into a first class proud warrior. Total respect. Oh no not again lol. Please forgive long comment. My back tablets have kicked in big time and I'm floating on my sofa with a redy brek glow and loving the world again. I type and talk for England me OCD style lol.
For me this looks like the toughest part, my memory isn't always tip top. I suppose if it's all properly drilled in and practiced over and over it will stick but it's still a slight concern.
What is the point of your comment? This is an informative and inspiration vid, why people have pick holes and give unnecessary negative ‘opinion’ with the ‘back it the day’ feedback.
@@andydw69 Didnt see a Back in My Day yet. When you put something out on YT you must expect comments positive or negative. That's part and parcel of YT, debate!
How come all the berets were pre-shaped, ours came fresh from the stores looking like heli pads, by the right from the advance position, should that be by the centre? Individual saluting from within three ranks? Dont remember any of that.
They had the weekend to prepare their berets ready for them to wear once the drill test was completed. And the drill test was conducted in accordance with the most up to date pamphlet
In 2000, (I was Pl Comd at ATR(W)) week 11 would be close to Phase 1 pass out. Drill test having been completed way before that, they’d have stopped calling out drill moves months ago. They’d have also passed APWT and other tests. Next step would be Phase 2 training. Initially I wondered if this was Harrogate, but the text suggests ITC Catterick. How come things appear to have changed so much? 11 weeks to get to drill test?
I was wondering that. I guess the ITC syllabus is just different to other corps' training as the overall course is longer (I think 26 weeks for line Regiments). We got our berets at week 6, but maybe they spend more time on other skills for the first few weeks. Having seen alot of passouts over 19 years at Pirbright, Catterick and Winchester I think the standard of drill achieved by the time of the full passout has stayed the same over that time.
During my time in the RAF I was sent to RAF Hereford ( now the SAS HQ) to complete my training for promotion to corporal. Part of the training was taking the squad for drill which I actually loved doing. Drill wasn't something I normally did in the RAF as I had been flying on VC10s as cabin crew up until a few months previous. On promotion I became a supervisor in a busy training camp officer's mess, but returned to flying on VC10s four years later.
@@bravo3077 alright mate, I’m currently serving now. And if you’re joining soon due to covid they won’t have the swim test. But I would get amongst it now if u can, if u got any questions then shoot away pal 👌
I know the Brits and we Americans do drill differently. That's just the way it is. I was in the US Marines and we did drill differently than the other branches. Much more precision and snap demanded, most drill done under arms. Our drill competitions (Initial and Final) are always done under arms and each platoon does get graded against the other platoons in the series (four platoons to a series when I was in. Each platoon about 65-75 privates). The grades affect the Drill Instructors more as they are being evaluated as well by the Battalion Drill Master and Chief Drill Instructor. The series commander (a lieutenant) is observing, but not grading as he doesn't have the skill level at instructing drill to do that. Bombing out on a drill comp will be very painful to the platoon and the DI's record will be affected as well. Initial drill is normally conducted by the most junior DI on the team. Final drill is conducted by the senior DI. As Marine NCOs rate swords, the DIs conducting the drill comps are also graded on their manual of the sword. Of course, US Marines do not wear berets and make fun of those branches that do. Our main "award" for passing boot camp was being issued our Eagle, Globe, and Anchor.
I thought the Mercians were Prince of Wales division? I recognise the badge being from Derbyshire and watching them parade for Freedom of the Town in Ripley.
ITC now has mixed cap badge intakes (permanent staff and recruits). I think it gives everyone a wider view of the Infantry and the people in it which is a huge positive
@@keycommander971 hi m8 I left at the end of basic, my shins were fu%$# could have got a medical discharge, my intentions were to go back in but met my wife and had 4 kids. I've actually got a physio appointment tomorrow for my shins 22 years later 🤣. King's regiment.
If you were joining the paras you have to first go to itc Catterick and do PRAC which stands for parachute regiment assessment course. Yes all infantry units complete phase 1 and phase 2. However Paras, ghurkas and grenadier guards are based on a different training battalion of Catterick.
