UK's Finest | Brigade of Gurkhas - (US Marine Reacts) 

Want more Gurkhas videos - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xml6oSRgQvs.html. Gurkha Article I wrote - jamesonstravels.com/gurkhas-history-of-warriors/

There is an old joke in the British army about how fearless the Gurkhas are. The story goes that when they trained the first Gurkhas to parachute they explained the plane would go to 10,000 feet and the Gurkhas would jump. After some nervous chatter amongst them the commanding Gurkha asked can we try first from 5000 feet. The British officer explained 5000 feet would not be high enough for the parachutes to be effective. To which the Gurkha replied 'oh we are allowed parachutes. 10000 feet will be fine then"

The gurkhas have to be right up there with the very best warriors on the planet we Brits are proud to have them.

When I was a child I met a troop of Ghurkas on the Isle of Wight and asked if I could see the Kukri knife.. I was told that if it was drawn then blood must flow.. another Ghurka stepped forward and asked for his palm to be sliced so I could see the knife.. Since then I have always donated to any charity for them and pursued the rights for them to have the same rights as UK troops .

In 84 I had the honour to share a tour of duty in the Falkland Islands alongside the Ghurkhas. They were absolutely amazing soldiers. I remember once while being transported through a blizzard in a heated truck bitching all way about the bumpy ride, we passed a Ghurkha foot patrol along the road. They were completely coated in a layer of snow and carrying a shed load of gear but they all waved and smiled as we passed. Hard as nails.

You will struggle to find anyone in the UK that doesn't have the utmost respect for the Ghurkas

You won't find a person in the whole of the UK with a single bad word to say about these great people.

Had a buddy who trained at a British school (Viet Nam era) and he said that they could go on a 20 mile force-march and when they got back the Gurkhas wanted to get out and play soccer. He claimed that in all the months he was there, he never saw a Gurkha break sweat. He said the biggest challenge was to teach them that, when their rifle was empty-- put in a new magazine, don't just throw it down and attack with your kukri.

I'm a British infantry veteran and I've got to say the gurkhas are a mix of many things They can out PT almost anyone They are some of the worlds most deadliest warriors But at the same time they are the most respectful polite and nicest people you will ever meet

Being ex Gurkha soldier I really appreciate this video. I was in the gurkha for for 22 years and served East Timor Sierra Leon, Kosovo, Iraq and 3 x Afghanistan than retired. This selection process is more stressful mentally than hard work you’ve seen physically, I still remember every evening going to bed thinking about the daily result in the morning fear of failing own self or losing best mate 😢. these recruit’s real hard time yet to come in their lives which will start when they arrive at training centre in the Uk. For viewers information rest of British soldiers complete their basic training in 2 phases 3 months each and there is huge gap between phase 1 and 2 but gurkha recruits have to go all the way to the 9 long months training and no choice to quit the training. there is little ease now a days at least they can have weekends off but in our time Hong Kong based training we didn’t even have weekends off. Finally positive parts of continuous long basic training, away from the family naturally build up the comradeship brotherhood for rest of our lives once a gurkha is always a gurkha. It’s our tribe religion our faith pride everything jai gurkha ✊🏿

The Gurkhas are hugely respected by the British people, and their regiment is known throughout the UK as one of the most elite forces in the British Army. They never surrender, and fight to the death. In Afghanistan, a Gurkha named Dipprasad Pun took on and killed 30 Taliban fighters by himself. He fired more than 400 rounds, launched 17 grenades and detonated a mine. When he was out of ammunition, he threw sandbags at the enemy and eventually engaged in hand-to-hand combat whilst shouting the Nepalese war cry 'Marchu Talai' (I will kill you). He was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest British military honour, along with the Gallantry Cross, the second highest, for his actions that day.

My Dad had the privilege of serving and being friends with the Gurkhas. He went and ate and lived with them, whilst in REME. They always pushed him to the front of the queue for food, he never accepted it once he got to know them, and spoke their language. When their units separated, The Gurkhas presented Dad with a personalised Kukri set, which 70 years later, my Sister still owns. Not many of them around.

You will never hear a bad word about the Gurkhas in the UK. We love them all,

In 2011, 35-year-old retired Gurkha Bishnu Shrestha was riding a train in India when 40 robbers stopped the train and began stealing passengers' belongings. Still carrying his kukri knife, the Gurkha took on the robbers, themselves armed with knives, swords and pistols. Shrestha managed to kill three robbers and injure eight others, which persuaded the other robbers to flee. The retired soldier also saved another passenger from rape.

I don’t think he’s being ‘cute’ changing between languages......I think he’s building connection and making an effort to earn their respect.

I met the ghurkas. They used to to come here to Australia and participate in a charity run. 100km over 48 hours, through bush, up and down down mountains. They killed it every time and they were the most humble guys. Much respect to them.

My father served in Burma. His regard and respect for the Gurkhas knew no bounds. He would say, the men were slight, kind, happy, funny, thoughtful. On the battlefield, utterly ruthless! He said he was glad he would never meet them as the enemy!

I am from the Gurkhas, I love England but I settled in Hong Kong. Even though sometimes when I’m alone I recall the memories of 1975 when my Bn was based in Church Crookham, my honour guard duty in Tower of London etc, etc. I honestly respect so much on the national anthem of England equally to my country Nepal.

As a Brit, i'm always proud to see anything about the Gurkhas. They're held in such high regard, it's difficult to describe. Even for the regular Brit, that know's nothing about the Gurkhas, there is an immediate level of respect. An almost mysticism that you know, if you send in the Gurkha's, you mean business. For any Gurkha's that happen to stumble across this comment, please know how valued, and loved, by the British people you are. I only wish the UK government treated you the same...leave that in the comments!

These guys are become an elite in the UK army. The cheer that goes up for them in any parade in London or elsewhere in the UK is deafening. They are small men but with extraordinary strength and heart. My uncle was one of the officers working with them in England. He called them collectively his sons.

Seeing as everyone is rolling out the Gurkha stories. Many years ago I went trekking in the Himalayas in Nepal. One evening staying at a lodge in the mountains, we sat around smoking and drinking beer with the owner, his family and friends. The some guys arrived and reported that two hikers had been robbed nearby by bandits. The Nepalese were very upset about it and a group of them, most of whom were Gurkhas, sett off into the night. A couple of hours later they all returned smiling and chatting and sat down again. I asked one of them what had happened. He said - we found the bandits. OK, I said, and what did you do? - We killed them, he replied. For me it was so chilling, but it was their world, not mine, I suppose. What was shocking was that they were all so gentle, kind and friendly. Lovely people, like all the Nepalese I met

"If a man says he is not afraid to die he is either lying or is a Gurkha"

My Grandad would say "If you see a Gurkha in a pub you offer to buy him a drink".

I trained with the Gurkhas and I was normally in The British Paras, they have my greatest respect , they are hard and very polite , even in the worst conditions . these lads go through sheer hell but when they have completed the courses they are the best and most resilient soldiers on the planet. During the Second World War the Japanese hated them because they NEVER took prisoners, and this is I believe how it is today, I felt it was a great honour to serve beside them in Malaysia and Southern Cambodia >>>>>

Speaking to them in their mother tongue (even if it's just a few sentences) is just one of many methods of showing respect. Respect is one of the most important pillars of the army.

My son who was in the Royal Corp of Signals served with the Gurkhas for four tours of Afghanistan. He looks on this as an honour and a privilege and they used to cook him one mean curry. Us Brits are so lucky to have these guys serving our Queen and country. P.s A-big shout out to Joanna Lumley for all the hard work she put in to have them recognised.

I remember a few years ago the Government wanted to cut the pensions (Like they all do) for the Gurkha's , and there was a campaign to stop it, lead by the actress Joanne Lumley who father was a captain with the Gurkha's, and she had a meeting and made the Government representative promise , on the steps of where they had the meeting in-front of the media, that they will honour the promise made to the Gurkha. She ambushed him, and they honoured it..,her father would of been proud im sure.

My uncle, who was in the Royal Engineers, trained the Gurkhas. He made it from a regular squaddie and became a Sergeant Major and then a Warrant Officer. When he came out after 28 years, he turned to drinking and died at the age of 57. He did many tours of Northern Ireland during the troubles. He was lost without the army. I am very proud of his military achievements. He was very much an admirer of the Gurkhas.

There was a Gurkhas barracks in my hometown of Chatham in the UK and we used to se them in the town centre regularly, Chatham was a rough old Naval town and there used to be a lot of trouble on the streets at night time, but no one ever messed with the Gurkhas. Hard as Diamonds and the most polite and respectful people ever.

Gurkhas are some of the nicest people you'll ever meet. Softly spoken, humble and polite. But their bravery and ferocity in combat is legendary.

I spent six years in Afghanistan and the Gurkhas that served on our security teams were something special. Incredibly polite, disciplined and proud men. I would serve with them anywhere and anytime. I still have the kukri that was presented to me which was a rare honor. Huge respect.

Until you have worked with the Gurkhas you can never really appreciate what a force they are , simply some of the finest soldiers in the world. I worked with them for three months and it was inspirational .

The Gurkhas are without doubt the finest troops I ever served with in a 30 year career. I served alongside US troops, Canadians, Aussies, New Zealanders, French Legionnaires and various other nationalities but the Gurkhas were something special. What sets them apart is that they are a completely unified group with a MASSIVE sense of Regimental pride. They do everything together and when they’re in combat be in no doubt that they will be honoured to die for their comrades. They may not have the best kit, individually they may not always be the cleverest or the biggest or the strongest but put them together as a group and they’re an unstoppable force. They just refuse to let each other down and will never bring shame to their comrades or units. They’re aren’t supermen but they are a super unit.

If the nepalese are willing to lay their life on the line for the UK, the least we can do is address them in their mother tongue..... otherwise its rude.

My uncle fought with Wingate’s Chindicts in Burma. He was along side the Ghurka. The battle progressed to hand to hand fighting. The Gutka drew their kukri and my uncle said “When they did that I felt fear - and they were on my side”.

Speaking in their language is a mark of respect.. respect works 2 ways

The Gurkhas saved my grandma’s life in 1945. She lived in a village in northern Italy and when the Germans were retreating, whilst the Allies were advancing, some German soldiers decided to gather the villagers inside a granary. Then they started spilling gasoline all over the building to burn them alive. When the soldiers were ready to ignite the fuel, a group of Gurkhas came out of the bushes killing them all. My grandma was 7 at the time but she still remembers this event very well

I think it's a sign of respect that their commanders speak their native tongue. The British Army has great respect for these soldiers, they have proved over the last two centuries that they are amongst the bravest and fiercest soldiers ever.

So when he rallies he speaks in their native language, when he's giving instruction will speak most times in English, this is the way to get a solid grasp on both for each Gurka. Drill wants to ensure that they understand instruction and commands in both the Kings English and in Nepali... These men are the most respectful and humane Tigers I've ever met in my life! can't really get into all of it but they're fearless and they're good friends....

I’ve met a few Gurkha families, both my father and grandfather were in the British army and there was a Gurkha regiment stationed in the same base my father was. When they get stationed in the UK they can bring their family over, I’ve met plenty of wives and children of Gurkha soldiers. So proud to be where they are and to serve Queen and country.

Re: your question about the British officer speaking Nepali - that's compulsory for British Officers in Gurkha regiments and leading Gurkha troops is a great honour in the British Army. Only the very best officers are given command. Knowing and speaking the language is a mark of respect and can be very useful in the everyday issues of the regiment. Writing in the language is also important as you may need to communicate with relatives at home via letter in the events of injury or death, and they may not speak English. The relationship is complex and respectful. These men aere an enormous asset to UK forces. In Afghanistan they have been extremely useful in hearts and minds operations as their language overlaps with the Pashtun speakers in the tribal areas adjacent Hellmand and many also speak Hindi.

The use of Native language and English in the entry point is called the bond line. It shows that we are united. You learn our language and our officers will learn yours. We are one etc

My grandfather was in the RAF during WW2 in the North African desert and came accross Gurkhas. He maintained these little guys were the most terrifyinly tough and brave soldiers he ever knew. Pound for pound, Gurkhas maintain the highest standard in the British Army even to today.

The Gurkas are legendary. Im Australian and my great grandfather fought at Gallipoli in WW1. One night when he was on sentry duty he was grabbed from behind with a kukri blade to his neck while the Gurka reached for his badge, then once he had confirmed by touch he was Allied, disappeared into the night again.

My father ,now 94, fought with the Gurkhas in the Parachute Regiment in 1945 in Malaya. They saved his life twice in firefights. We have nothing but admiration for them.

My father was with the Gurkhas in the Suez Crisis and he said they was the bravest men he'd ever met. Thank you for your Service From the British People. We all love you

The British army officers always speak the Nepal languages as a sign of respect to the Ghurka. These warriors earned it through their bravery and fierceness in battle against us, during the Anglo-Nepalise war and then honoured the British crown and army by joining us. Total respect. Granted, finance is a key but the pride and respect the Ghurka soldier and his family gain from their neighbours is totally priceless.

All Ghurka officers (from the U.K.) speak Nepalese. It’s a sign of mutual respect and very much a part of the contract that exists between the men that serve and the family they’re joining.

My grandad took part in falkland war and he did his service in Hongkong as well, sadly he passed away. Growing up he use to tell me his war stories. He was a great man and a proud Gurkha...

Having lived in a UK town that has a large Ghurka community, I can attest that these people are the most friendly, proud, humble, and loyal people I have met. They make the most delicious dumplings call 'momo's', and many ex-Ghurka's take positions in security roles. I just wish some of the 'native' residents would adopt the same values.

I had Gurung porters in Nepal,one guy was was ten years older than me.I was concerned he would struggle. What a joke! As we touched 18000 feet it was him waiting for me. On one of the occasions I struggled with the altitude, he waited for me sitting on a rock having a smoke!! Great people.

It has been my absolute honour to have served with them on a few occasions. Kind, gentle and protective to their allies, terrifying and ferocious to their enemies. Loyalist of the Loyal, Bravest of the Brave. Nepal's "Happy Warriors". Ayo Gorkhali!

“Better to die than be a coward” is our motto.bravery,loyalty and honour are our culture.we rather die than surrender to the enemy that make us strongest soldier.I also try to join the British Army in this year.i am from Nepal

The only time I felt sufficiently incensed to do something about it .Was when the British government were not going to pay a full army pension to retired Gurkhas. Such was the public outrage the government gave in and paid the Gurkhas what they were entitled to.

As a veteran sapper i have nothing but respect to these band of brothers. THE GURKAS

Not only money sir,it makes the pride and dignity of selected gurkha soldier's family higher in the society. And also they get more respect and reputation than richer and richest peoples also.thankyou!!😊

British officers speaking their native language shows them respect, they don’t have to, but they choose to !

The Bravest of the Brave . The Victoria Cross is the highest award for Gallantry in the British Armed forces, The Royal Gurka Rifles have more Victoria Cross's than any other Regiment in the British Armed Forces.

The Ghurkas are truly amazing. They come from a mountainous region at high altitude, and do manual labour all day. Their lungs are already amazing, and only the best of the best of them are picked. Truly phenomenal. It is great to have them on our side. Massive respect to the Ghurkas.

I was fortunate enough to spend a week with the Gurkhas in camp in the U.K. and they were the most fun reg I had the pleasure of mixing with. All a bunch of fun loving tiny funny guys but absolute machines when they switch on. So much respect for them.

I am a Mizo, from India, Many Gurkha lived among our tribe. They are our most loyal borthers, in fact they will fight for you with their life. Respect to all the Gurkhas out there

I know a SAS medic he described Gurkhas like this "Great little guys, always smiling with big phuk you knives."

Thanks gurkas many respects from a British thank you for your service we owe you so much respect

I haven’t been in the military, so I have enormous respect for those that do. Love these videos, and the insight from a chap who’s been there. The Gurkhas are world famous, what these guys do to even get to join is quite humbling. I wish them success.

My best military brother is veteran rifleman Gyan pun, who saved my life in theatre. We became blood brothers since then, 35 years still counting. Now we are both 58, and in wheelchairs,due to combat injury.

"If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or he is a Gurkha" -Field Marshall Manekshaw

Live here in the U.K less than 5 mins from the Engineers based in Chatham and Maidstone, Many many Gurkhas all are very polite and do behave in ways that should put U.K residents to shame. Namaste to all my Nepalese brothers and sisters.

Just after the falklands war i went to the royal tournament celebrating the British victory and sat alongside the gurkhas, what a polite modest but elite fighting force they really are, we are so proud to have them in our military

It upsets me that they struggle to claim UK citizenship when they have completed their service. They should automatically get in.

It's an honour that they still choose to serve my country with such ferocity and loyalty. "Ayo Gorkhali"

The head-strap for carrying or to give it its official title tumpline is actually a great aid to carrying . Canadians used it to bring supplies to the frontline line wwi during the battle of Ypres and found the average soldier could double his load .

I served with British Army in 1950s during the Malayan Emergency. I was in a Gurkha Division. I mingled with and played soccer against them. The Brits trotted out in protective leather soccer boots, they came out in bare feet. Great guys, always smiling and clowning around. Loved them. Terry Davis

He is speaking in English for the cameras in this situation. He is showing respect to them by learning their language and meeting them at a cultural understanding. I met a Gurkhas while I was an RAF cadet in high school, I have nothing but respect for this force and their people. He pushed himself and us beyond our mental limits more than I ever thought possible.

2:52 “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.”

Just for your info, all officers that become Gurkhas, are part of the top 1 percent who graduate from Sandhurst. They go through exactly the same training as the recruits, take about 2 years of language school to become fluent in Nepali, and unlike any other unit of the British Army, ( or the US Army come to that ) keep an open house so ANY Gurkha can stay there for free, even if the officer is a General, and the Gurkha is a Private. The bond between officers and men is extraordinary tight.

I was playing enemy for them in the Brunei jungle. I was captured and taken prisoner. I was very confused and was almost thinking I was not on exercise. They are brutal! Much respect for them.

I had the honour of working with the Gurkhas on various Operations. Their a different breed of soldiers, but once on your team, they will protect and die for you. After a UN Bosnia tour, I took 3 x 2 Groups of Gurkhas to my home village in Northamptonshire. The village loved them to bits.

I WAS ALSO ONE OF THEM ON THAT INTAKE 2020. THERE WILL BE THREE STEPS TO JOIN IT TAKES AROUND 9-10 MONTHS TO BECAME PART OF THE BRIDGE OF GURKHA . ONLY FROM THE AGE OF 18 TO 21 ARE ALLOWED TO TAKE PARTICIPATE IN THE SELECTION PROCESS. MAINLY WE HAVE TO BE STRONG PHYSICALLY AS WELL MENTALLY TOO. THERE WILL BE TESTS LIKE IELTS AND MATHS EXAMS ALSO. UK NATIVE OFFICERS HAVE TO KNOW NEPALI LANGUAGE AND HE IS A MAJOR SANDY NIGHTINGALE HE IS DRO HEAD OF THAT SELECTION PROCESS. I FEEL GLAD TO WATCH THIS VIDEO OF OUR NATIONALITY.

That was a really eye opener, thank you for doing this!

When I was in the Corps, I was sent to do cross training with SBS. This was late 89, it was a 6 month deployment. Before I went over my CO explained that for 6 months I was in SBS, but I was a US Marine and that IF I did not do EVERYTHING they did not to bother to come back. I was told to REPRESENT Force Recon with PRIDE, HONOR, and OUTRIGHT DETERMINATION. About 3 months into my SBS deployment the unit I was with was sent to do some OPERATIONS. When we arrived we were met by GURKHA FORCES. These guys were the TOUGHEST SOBs I had seen. They PTed like ANIMALS!!! Our DAILY DOZEN was NOTHING. They RAN at a SPRINT!!! WE were NOT required to PT with the GURKHA and I am honestly glad we were not. They did 6 minute miles in FULL KIT. I was used to 10 mile runs every day, these guys did 15 to 20 IN KIT!!!! The third or fourth week there one of the GURKHA SGTs say me watching their hand to hand and KUKRI training. I was fascinated and he could see the amazement in my eyes. He came over and asked if I wanted to learn to use the KUKRI, I jumped at the chance. Boy was I going to pay for that. I got my butt kicked CONSTANTLY learning their hand to hand, and I can not tell how many times I would have been carved up like a cow. BUT I LEARNED and I LEARNED FAST. The SAS unit I was with was running Ops every 2 to 3 days and I was training in the off days with the GURKHA along with the SBS training. Time FLEW past. 9 weeks went in a BLURR!!! We got orders to go back to England, but before we left I was presented with a GURKHA unit patch and a KUKRI. I was PROUD. I was as p6of that as ANYTHING I had done in my life. I found the GURKHA to be extremely POLITE (unless they were provoked), very INTELLIGENT, Extremely KNOWLEDGEABLE about weapons systems and TACTICS. They were FANTASTIC at small unit Operations. Overall I was very impressed with them. When I came home my CO called me in for a CHAT. He told me he had gotten reports from SBS weekly. I thought I was about to loose a stripe or two. He handed me a report from the GURKHA CO. In it he made me out to be something special, not even close. I voted a hand shake and a "GOOD JOB" from the skipper. My CO wanted to see the KUKRI. That KUKRI sits on the top shelf of one of my gun safes and the patch is in a frame if unit patches from all over the globe, but it is on the top row right next to my unit patch we had made, even though we could not wear them each of us carried a pack of them everywhere we were deployed. SEMPER FI

My Dad, a WWII vet, said the Gurkhas were unsurpassed on the battlefield. Total berserkers.

Man , your insights were fantastic I enjoyed your perspective on this story and agree with them . I can also tell you these types of videos are much more positive than the stolen valor ones but I realize your predicament and obviously enjoy them all , Thanks Mark Battista .

The greatest thing about being stationed on a NATO Base is the unique and amazing soldier skills you get to observe that other militaries specialize in. While I was conducting peacekeeping missions in Bosnia-Herzegovina I was fortunate enough to witness; The Scandinavians and their war game abilities with night skiing down huge mountain terrain while shooting their targets at high velocity speeds was incredible. The Italian MSU in captivating formations, watching them in unison beat on their shields with their batons was such an amazing force to be reckoned with, they were so loud and impeccable at their abilities to stifle out riots and mass destruction in minutes, it was like watching a magnificent work of art never seen before. But nothing was more captivating and speechless then observing the Nepalese Gurkha’s. They were the most feared on every NATO based and highly respected. Always given a wide birth of space while passing by from “every” military presence from every country on every NATO base. A Nepalese Gurkha is trained from birth, they are a military exceptional fighting machine that "most" (but not all) inherit their position of Gurkha training through lineage. Those Gurkha’s come from a long line of Gurkhas. Their father and his father and their father before him, was a Gurkha. Therefore, those Gurkha's future was mapped out before birth and their training begins when they first learn to walk. ( I mean that literally. The Gurkha I practically interrogated informed me that he came from 250 yr bloodline of inherited training Gurkha's, and that himself as well as his ancestors begain their training at 18 months old.) And from what I've seen, an inherited lifelong trained Nepalese Gurkha can outfight any military soldier from any country like it’s nothing. Over hundreds of years their human anatomy developed an enormous lung capacity and stamina abilities from generation of living at such high altitudes with the thinnest air on the planet. Over centuries of environmental adaption, their bodies were able to evolve into a tolerance of rare and unique fighting skills that 98% of the world will never physically be able to accomplish. A Gurkha fighting match can last anywhere from 5-9 hours. Their goal is stamina and defense, before attack. In hand to hand combat they would avoid every hit or attack without a scratch nor break a sweat in the process, they can easily outlast any opponent until they are practically no longer ambulatory. Then when their opponent is no longer capable of standing much less throwing a punch. That’s when they attack, and before they have even broken a sweat, they fight with an impeccability that is absolute perfection. They can block every move and avoid most attacks without ever being hit, then while their opponent becomes weak with fatigue…they fight hard core at such an accelerated rate that most can barely understand how they took out their opponent in seconds while jumping around after hours of dodging and blocking, commencing only 2 maybe three hits, and look as though it was all just a warm up for some “actual big fight to happen.” I’ve always been fascinated with the Gurkha’s when everyone spoke about them on the first NATO base I was assigned to, and how everyone said to always go around them and never approach them. (Not because we didn’t want to, believe you me….everyone wanted to, but because it was what they wanted us to do.) I noticed that even at the NATO bars that had anywhere from 8-15 different world military soldiers located at tables enjoying their drinks and laughing while carrying on. The Gurkha’s were always quiet and reserved, speaking in low volumes, only amongst themselves in their native tongue. Also I noticed they were the only ones that were able to drink for free from every bar, bartender and waitress. However they always left money on the tables or bars, even though it was never asked for from them. I’ll never forget the day I first had a chance to talk to one. Being that I was able to be within 5 feet of one at the NATO PX base was like a dream come true. I was able to corner him, and he actually answered me in English and was so nice! Ecstatic with enthusiasm I literally jumped for joy right in front of him. Then I began to ask a thousand questions….. Surprisingly enough he actually took the time to answer all of them. I asked about their culture about how, when and where they learn to fight? What style of weapons did they specialize in, or prefer to use? What form of martial arts did they favor most? Were they close with their other family members? Did they get to spend time with their parents while in training their entire life, and if so, how often? Their educational schools & objectives? Their human anatomy abilities with jumping, controlled breathing, taking hard hits, never seemingly exhausted after hours of fighting? If they were still assigned to the rotations as the Queen of England’s personal body guards, and so forth and on and on….. ? I followed him at a fast pace practically stalking him around the entire PX. Then realized after 5 different aisles of fast walking to keep up that he seemed to be in a hurry to find his battle buddy so he could leave and not answer any more of my questions. For being so terrifying, I think he was more scared of me because of my extreme enthusiasm for his culture and never ending annoyance of questions.

I have veteran Gurkhas living as neigbours either side of me and they are honestly the nicest, most humbling people I've ever met, real stand up guys along with there families

Its not "cute" speaking their language, its called respect.

My father-in-law fought with Gurkhas in the Malaysia conflict in the early 60's. He has great respect for them. You have some of the smartest and most determined young men competing for the honour of becoming a Gurkha.

Thank you for this. I've watched this already but watching it again with your commentary makes it much more interesting.

The changing of the languages is about respect, he respects them enough to talk to them in their language.

I've trained with Gurkhas and served alongside them in Afghanistan. They're physical freaks and extremely well disciplined with a cracking sense of humour. There are certain things British regiments do better, but at the things the Gurkhas excel at, nobody comes close. In Afghanistan, a Gurkha was ambushed and single-handedly killed 30 Taliban before reinforcements arrived, including one he dispatched with a GPMG tripod. Those kukris aren't just for show, either. The same unit (1RGR) were tasked to kill a wardlord. When asked for confirmation, they produced his severed head.

Back in the 80's I joined the British Territorial Army, similar to the U.S. National Guard. Even for that I had to go on a selection weekend that consisted of being beasted all weekend , timed runs Runs carrying loads, Runs carrying fellow recruits and written tests and PT to excess. We weren't allowed to sleep all weekend and a single failure at anything earned you a railway ticket home. From the 40 guys I arrived with by the time we passed all the tests on Sunday evening there were three of us left to go on to Bootcamp. As for Bootcamp it wasn't as tough as the selection weekend. In fact my daughter is Tactical Boat Crew in the U.S.C.G and our bootcamp experience seemed pretty similar. I guess the British Army just wants to make sure you want it badly enough before they invest too much time in you, especially if as in my case you are doing it part time. That being said even as a small child I always heard from my grand fathers who served in WW1 and WW2 just how respected and revered the Gurkha Regiments were. They will always hold a special place in the hearts of the British people even if the British Government can't find it way to show them the respect they have earned without protests and court actions.

I am an old British soldier myself (back in the 1960's) and often came across Ghurkas during my service..a great bunch of soldiers, and your comments about the "snowflakes" of today are spot on sir.

Ghurkas are the nicest, most humbling people ive ever. Never cursing, stepping out of line, they never think for a second that the world owes them something, like most people thier age in our culture do. Also ive never seen men as small as they are eat as much as they do. Absolute units.

once went out for a drink on a guys brithday, Tapa, who turned out to be Nepalese royalty, and about 30 Gurkha's turned up from the UK barracks, all about 5ft 5" tall, built like brick s'houses, and dressed in Hawain shirts. No trouble that night. Very nice fellows indeed.

They are physically strong, friendly, loyal and very disciplined soldiers

I am glad somebody like you making vidoe for My Gurkha brothers. Respect

As a Brit, it is an honour and a privilege to have these exceptional young men serving serving in our armed forces..

I think the Ghurkas wanting a better life for their families is a virtuous cause for their joining up.

no idea what your views are on anything else but i like that you keep pointing out the big picture of life. thanks for reminding us to be grateful and not take our comfortable lives for granted gave you a sub just for that

Speaking in their native tongue is all about respect and building constant relationships of trust

my grandfather fought along side the gurkas in north africa in the 2nd ww. his best friend gave him his kukri at the end and my grandad past it on to me. this knife is my single most cherished posession. they have the greatest number of victoria crosses. im from south wales uk, near the brecon beacons and there is a gurka regiment based there (or at least was) and these wonderful, polite, resectful cheerful lovely people are LOVED by us brits. i dont think i need to mention their ferosity and bravery but ill just put it in for good measure. thank you brave souls