ARMED Forces Minister Mark Lancaster will be in the region on Thursday to inspect Gurkha recruits as they complete their military training at Catterick.

Five thousand army applicants took part in a rigorous selection in Nepal last autumn and 270 of them were successful and started at ITC in February this year.

Now the recruits of the Gurkha Company – part of 2nd Infantry Training Battalion – will take part in a passing out parade in front of friends and family at Helles Barracks today.

Mr Lancaster will inspect the troops and take the salute from the dais as they march past.

Following the parade, the Minister will have the opportunity to meet recruits and staff at the School of Infantry headquarters of which ITC is a part, gaining an insight into the organisation which is the British Army’s main infantry training establishment.

ITC Catterick trains almost 2,000 recruits each year and has been open since 1 May 1995 when it took over the responsibility for Infantry training from the three Army Infantry Training Battalions then based at Catterick, Strensall and Ouston.

As well as all the initial training for the Infantry for both Regular and Reserves, ITC also conducts phase 3 training for the Infantry Corp of Drums, Pipes and Drums and All Arms Drill courses with the School of Ceremonial.

It also runs Pre-Parachute Selection courses for trainee soldiers joining the Parachute Regiment and for volunteers for 16 Air Assault Brigade. ITC