Do Highland Regiments have a selection process?

[Hessen20]

I am curious as the Black Watch and other highland regiments have a record throughout history as being tough, disciplined, and ferocious in battle. Ewald admits it in his book Storm of Steel and there are many other accounts of this throughout history, especially in Napoleonic wars. I was wondering how the regiments keep these standards and reputation alive today, do they have to go through a rigorous training/selection process? Are they still composed of hardy individuals?

Thanks

[DnA]

They are an Infantry unit, not SOF or Airborne, etc. No special selection for them.

Check out the Regimental Pride thread in the history forum, theres some info on the Geographic info on where the majority of the Soldiers in the Regiments come from.

[big_les]

I was wondering how the regiments keep these standards and reputation alive today

They don't. We don't have any Highland regiments any more, it's now one infantry regiment;

http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regiments/4970.aspx

The regimental museums and associations play a big part in maintaining reputation and tradition, as of course do the many acts of bravery and quality soldiering demonstrated by the surviving battalions themselves in recent conflicts.

[cal13]

Every British Infantry unit is nails, some just get more media than others. :P

[baboon6]

Every British Infantry unit is nails, some just get more media than others. :P

Probably the best post ever on this subject. Just hope the Paras don't see it!

[Richie B]

Gotta have good legs - for the kilt :)

[big_les]

Not to mention the latest virtual Highland combat trainer software.

http://www.rathergood.com/jockfight

[Johnny_H02]

While were on the subject of Highland Regiments I'll share this video. No its not for a real army unit its a recruitment video for the Halifax Citadel Regimental Association which runs the animated Garrison consisting of the 78th Highlanders (Ross Shire Buffs) and 3 Brigade Royal Artillery c.1869.

Neat video none the less.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYeyP_B1b9I

[goat89]

probably the best post ever on this subject. Just hope the paras don't see it!
hahahahahah! X2! ><

[Pete031]

Like DNA said, Regimental pride and spirit goes a long way and that is why it is important.

[Ordie]

Stupid question:

Does one need to reside in the same area as the regiment to join? or can anyone from the UK choose any regiment?

For example, can a person from the Isle of Man join a Scottish Regiment? or a person from Bristol join the Irish Regiment?

[Corrupt]

You tend to join the local regiment as a norm if you go sign up (unless your going engineers or something "National") but if you whine and moan you can go to a particular regiment normally

[DPM_Sheep]

Most people join the local regiment unless they're going Corps or Para. That said, it's possible to join another regiment but usually they like you to have a reason such as family regimental ties, being originally from that area, etc.

For instance, my family is from Derbyshire but my paternal great grandmother is scottish, so my great uncle and two other uncles all served in the Seaforth Highlanders, as my great grandmother's father had been a Highlander too.

[DeltaWhisky58]

You tend to join the local regiment as a norm if you go sign up (unless your going engineers or something "National") but if you whine and moan you can go to a particular regiment normally

This is actually incorrect. There is no obligation to join one's "Local Regiment" whatsoever, it's just that each infantry/cavalry regiment has a designated recruiting area which is why most infantry/cavalry recruits join their "Local" unit.

My home area is the traditional recruiting ground of the Seaforth Highlanders. Members of my family have served in the Seaforths, its ancestors and successors for over 200 years, but it has always been a diverse Regiment as have all of the Scottish Regiments whether Highland or Lowland (i.e. kilted or not). Currently 4 SCOTS (The Highlanders) has a fair number of Fijians and other commonwealth soldiers as with most British Regiments these days, but also a smattering of guys from all over the UK, a thing it has in common with the other four regular battalions of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Are the Scottish Regiments an elite - no, but their battle honours and record would easily make one think so because they have 250 years of tradition of being at the forefront of almost every conflict Britain has been involved in. Are they the best - well I think so, but I have to admit a degree of bias ;)


Alba Gu Brath!

[Corrupt]

This is actually incorrect. There is no obligation to join one's "Local Regiment" whatsoever, it's just that each infantry/cavalry regiment has a designated recruiting area which is why most infantry/cavalry recruits join their "Local" unit.


Thats what I mean. You dont have to, if you really wanna be in Yorkshire reg, you can be, its just the norm to join the local one

[Ordie]

Okay another dumb question:

Does one need to be a British subject to join the British Army. I know about the Gurkas, but can someone from the Irish Republic join the Irish Guards? Or an Australian joining a Welsh regiment?

[DeltaWhisky58]

Irish citizens, and citizens of most Commonwealth countries are eligible to join HM Armed Forces, but not in all jobs/trade groups. Welsh/Scots/Irish Regiments are that in name only, they are still part of the British Army thus there would be no distinction between an Australian/New Zealander/Fijian etc. joining the Scots/Welsh/Irish or Coldstream/Grenadier Guards or any other Regiment for that matter as long as he was eligible.

Or, to answer Ordie's question more simply - yes.

[California Joe]

If I remember correctly, a rather high percentage of Jocks end up in the SAS/SBS...

[welshmann]

Irish citizens, and citizens of most Commonwealth countries are eligible to join HM Armed Forces, but not in all jobs/trade groups. Welsh/Scots/Irish Regiments are that in name only, they are still part of the British Army thus there would be no distinction between an Australian/New Zealander/Fijian etc. joining the Scots/Welsh/Irish or Coldstream/Grenadier Guards or any other Regiment for that matter as long as he was eligible.

Or, to answer Ordie's question more simply - yes.

does it not help what reg the recruit officer is as well? when they hand the bounty card over :)

[Ordie]

Irish citizens, and citizens of most Commonwealth countries are eligible to join HM Armed Forces, but not in all jobs/trade groups. Welsh/Scots/Irish Regiments are that in name only, they are still part of the British Army thus there would be no distinction between an Australian/New Zealander/Fijian etc. joining the Scots/Welsh/Irish or Coldstream/Grenadier Guards or any other Regiment for that matter as long as he was eligible.

Or, to answer Ordie's question more simply - yes.

Big thanks.

Given the mobility of people to live anywhere, I'm sure its difficult to retain the regional flavor of historical regiments.

[Ordie]

If I remember correctly, a rather high percentage of Jocks end up in the SAS/SBS...

I think that happens in the US Armed forces as well. I recall many jocks in my boot camp company volunteered for BUDs (SEALS) shortly after graduation.

[Pete031]

By Jocks he means Scotsman.

[DeltaWhisky58]

Jocks have always played a very large role in the British Army back into the 18th century, and before that many European armies. Despite this, there has always been geographic diversity in the Scottish Regiments. I have a copy of the original 1794 muster roll of the Regiment later to be called The Gordon Highlanders - the men originated from all over the British Isles with a fair proportion from Ireland.