The "Former electrician" really impressed me. So determined and serious, and yet really charming and cheerful at the same time.

Harbord’s review panel.... “he has the break strain of soggy Kit Kat” One of the best character assessments I’ve come across. Well done that man 😊😂

Thompson was one of the best recruits, and showed it through hard work and a hell of a lot of effort.

Harbord needs to improve his fitness. "What sport are you doing Harbord?" "Polo" 🤣😅😂

Harbords running at the 40 minute mark was flippin hilarious.

Thompson is a top bloke. Every young soldier should want to serve under and alongside someone like him. Priorities and morales, bang on. Hope he's doing well

The guys going up the hill reminded me of something my first platoon Sgt told me. You are never too tired to take 1 more step.

I'm no soldier but I would happily follow Thompson into battle. a top bloke and a inspiring leader.

Thompson, what a sound lad. All the best.

If anyone wanted a 'where are they now' based on their social media: Thompson - Still serving Harbord - Left in 2018, reached Captain according to one article Eldridge - Left in 2017, now working at JP Morgan Colour Sergeant Vezza - Unknown if still serving, at least reached WO2 Captain Guthrie - Left in 2013, now Executive Director at Goldman Sachs Tant (Thompson's roommate) - Left in 2018 Mansel Lewis - Estate agent Mountain (Mansel Lewis' roommate) - Still serving in Household Cav Batty (the guy who wanted to jack in the first 2 days) - Left in 2016, reached Captain Stewart - Still serving

There is an undeniable class about British Army Officers. So impressive.

Like Captain Guthrie..He's fair with them..And he can be tough when necessary!

"leadership is not a privilege, it's a burden". As true as it is the sun shines in the morning.

The Household Cavalry kid was an absolute drip. Over-indulged, over-privileged, and entirely lacking in the experience of adversity. I wouldn't follow this twerp out of morbid curiosity. The former electrician, however, undoubtedly made an excellent Para officer. He did a cracking job and I'm sure his troops follow him willingly (once he's been "regimentalized!)!

for anyone interested, Thompson's career path has been: - Rifle Platoon Commander (3 PARAs) - 2 years - Recruit Platoon Commander - 1 year - Fire Support Group Commander - 18 months - Company 2nd in Command - 18 months - Operations Officer - 2 1/2 years He is still (2019) in the army. I've not been able to find his current rank. The Household Cavalry kid served doing ceremonial horse duty and retired as a major. Elizabeth Eldridge was a captain by 2014 and retired as a major from the Royal Signals.

'With the bird'. I feel safe with him protecting me.

Poor PT will always keep you back regardless of how good you are at being personable or being good on knowledge.

I spent 10 years in Australian Infantry, lack of sleep was always the worst

I was at Uni with an ex sandhurst soldier. He came from a position of privilege, privately educated, father was a Major General, and he was an officer. He left the army with an exemplary reference. Throughout the time I knew him he was a manipulative, horrible character and I was glad to see the back of him.

Harbord represents the worst of his (social) class...He is clearly there at Sandhurst because of pure nepotism.

Harbord is the type of officer that expects respect, and doesn't have to earn it because of his 'social status'

This is a very interesting series. Because the date is 2013, I would like to know if there was a followup on these individuals as they progressed through their military career?

Excelente producción televisiva, típica de quien proviene: BBC, y me exime de mayores comentarios. He observado, sí, las similitudes en la formación de los cadetes (aunque no en esas 44 semanas; las nuestras se van a 5 años para formar un Oficial del Ejército); las reacciones a la presión me han hecho recordar experiencias muy conocidas por mí. Mis felicitaciones.

Thompson's a top lad

Junior officers in WW1 were taught to look after their men first, then themselves and the casualty rate for them (the officers) was very high indeed.

Can't believe she said she was a communist at an army interview.

A lot of criticism over the standards of Sandhurst and the selection process - but just remember Sandhurst regularly kicks USMA arse in the annual Sandhurst Competition. In the last ten years alone RMA have won it 4 times to USMA twice - before that it was pretty much a one horse race with RMC-C winning it 5 times also.

I wouldn't even accept Harbord into the RLC. Complete waste of space.

when an english army officer gives you the chance to go back in history and change the world, maybe rescuing communism from its decline is not the wisest task to suggest. she lost her commission at that moment.

As a former SNCO of the Royal Marines, our Officers are trained alongside Royal Marine recruits. Yes they are separated, they share the same parade square, the same gym. The officers have to pass the Commando Tests in a quicker time than recruits, earning respect from the start............ 8 miles with 30 kilos....... some of these officer cadets are not physically able to carry such a small load. Not fit enough........ not prepared....... its all in the mind... feel the pain and do it anyway....... team work....

5 days restrictions of privileges? No pudding son.

I remember one English officer who bollocked two Royal Welch Fusiliers for being too slow, they were the radio operator and the GPMG carrier, it was in boggy ground on top of the Welsh mountains in a gale force wind. Later he found he had taken us to the wrong mountain peak, he couldn't read a map. we were pissing ourselves laughing.we showed him later how fit we were when we out paced him on flat ground and left him behind.

26:50 - Look at Major Lytle's reaction. It was interesting, and he clearly thinks highly of Eldridge. When she is rejected, he vocally says "fair enough", but his body language says something very different. He looks to the man at his right, looking for a last glimmer of hope. When he doesn't get it, and realises all are decided, he stands up and folds his arms. He also subconciously shakes his head right before he stands up. He is also smiling, but not from happiness. The smile is more of a "I feel a bit silly now" kind of feeling. Body language basically saying: "Are you joking? I do not agree at all. Conversation over, I'm getting out of here."

If you have to tell an officer...a leader to keep going....then get him gone!!!

The Scots guards officer who was intiseing the cadet up the hill was my platoon commander in ITC Catterick he was always on point awsome officer

3 Cdo Bde Royal Marines are continually under threat of disbandment, yet the Household Cavalry continue to be tolerated by the taxpayer; Harbord is their poster-boy :(

if your going to be a bear why not be a grizzly bear lol.....

Love the riot shield training. Reminds me of the NAAFI at Brize Norton when the Paras use to come out for a quiet pint.

Seriously, cheating? The whole point is to prepare you to lead soldiers, keeping them alive. Fucking disgraceful.

Cannot belive that character Harbord? Simply unbelievable! Is he even a real person? Absolute joke! Kind of upper class spoilt clown that will cost lives. How could you expect any other ranks soldier to respect that! Obviously daddy has guaranteed his place. Wanker!

To give him a commission is an embarrasssment.Our soldiers are led by failures who succeeded because of friendships higher up.

In 1988, when I commissioned, the intake was disproportionately skewed towards those from public/private schools, who often had previous military exposure through their CCF family etc. I expect that within the teeth Arms this remains the case, if not more so, as the Army is now about half the size, the job market is tougher and the educational advantages and quality of private education is greater now, than it ever was..... so the Regular Commission Board can be very picky and can demand that a future officer at least knows how to handle a knife and fork! The supposed Smart regiments, (Household/Guards and Cavalry) , many of which have now been amalgamated, tended to pre select and pre train their candidates through 'Brigade Squad' which also gave them an additional advantage once they had joined the course. Sandhurst NCO's were then predominantly from the Guards. The Regimental selection boards select officers that will fit their Regimental traditions and their Mess, but the candidates have to come up to the mark as a starter. Nepotism does occur but probably no more than in the Fire service, London Underground or the Labour party. In my day there were some Hooray Henry types who probably commissioned on the basis of their riding ability or an antecedents links and saw a short service commission as an extended Gap Year, before taking over the Family Estate, Merchant Bank etc Feel pretty certain that this is much reduced after the British Army's almost continuous operational exposure since the first Gulf War. Pig sticking aboard a Polo pony might well have been a military skill in previous Afghan campaigns but IED's and AK's tend to derail the finest seat!

Who else saw the csm from guarding the queen in the selection board?

I joined up in 1988. Unfortunately I was medically discharged. My wish was to pass out, get to Lance Cpl and then go to officer training. And then back to training to train the new ones

The officer recruit,Mr Thompson who'd chosen the Paras......my late father served with the Parachute Brigade in 1 Para(1963-1974) they did Para selection and said he went through hell to earn his Maroon beret and wings. Dad had very high expectations of his officer-physically and mentally that they could do it when the shit hit the fan !!!!! I know dad would be extremely proud of Mr Thompson here for him to wear the Airborne colors!!!!

Harbord should have been discharged from trng..seems like someone who chooses the path of least resistance .polo and beagling to keep fit..says it all!!

50:02 that's Cpt. Munro of the Grenadier Guards from Guarding the Queen! What a guy, I love his humour.

Thompson is a fucking top bloke. Gets in the para's and rings his ex thanking for support. Shit, man should be PM let alone para.

as soon as that girl mentioned communism everyone in the room was like nooooo

Thompson what a lovely lad he all the best qualities

"Don't want to ask a stupid question " your going to find out the hard way sir!

im fairly sure that berk was only allowed to continue with training cos his upper class matched fella who said he could stay...

"What sport did you do last term?" Polo, second term Shooting first term Bugling. Jesus wept what a wet cloth.

Outstanding tradition!

hard to believe they showed this. I know a 'man' broke his leg on the jump, shared his kit amongst his stick and completed a 10 miler to the RV. Said he couldnt be damned being back squadded.

Freedom Country that good so much dear Thanks again

If the army recruited from KZfaq comments we would have a whole regiment of Rambos.

The old boys club still going strong

Break them so you can remake them! A awful hard exhausting process but once ur remade ur a better stronger person. It's actually a privledge to endure and overcome it. Well done to them all.

I would like to point out that even though there are evidently problems w nepotism and class divide here, it is just a tv show with a narrative it wants to show taking months of training down to 3 hours

14:04 When they get their bergins weighed before a run; has anyone thought of putting in a block of ice ? It would keep you cool, and would keep getting lighter and lighter as it melts. Its what was done in WW2. The British would put a parachute on several blocks of ice, and chuck them out of a plane at night. By morning, the ice would be melted. The next day (or a few days) the germans would find several empty parachutes and go nuts looking for commandos who were not there.

On the pysche test - where is the part that assesses "Warrior Spirit"? The militaries primary role surely is War - where Warriors live. Peace keeping, trooping the colour, the parade ground are surely secondary skills and traits.

American here. I'd like to ask a question: what regional accents are being spoken in this video, particularly for the guy at the beginning who's yelling "What's going on over there, and you're still digging!" at 0:33? I'm writing a screenplay with lots of UK characters, and I'd like to learn more about typical regional dialects for authenticity.

"the breaking strain of a soggy kit-kat".

There seems to be a lot of armchair experts in these comment threads

After reviewing the previous comment I have come to a conclusion on what my comment will be. Thompson is good.

Major General Marriot was a Sqn leader in my old Regiment, his brother was also serving. Always a fair man, in fact so fair he would regularly give me 14 days ROPs. One of the two live in Kenya. Many memories of young Ruperts coming to the Regiment, some good some bad, some got a punch on the nose round the back of the wagon! All good fun.

"The log race has no correlation to any military activity" the log race is based on ammo runs to different fighting positions, obviously officers wouldnt know anything about that

posh people saying some bird sound so wrong

It's 2019 now... I hope they were all successful in their lives after Sandhurst. Thompson was a born leader, Aldridge was stupid but it works so it's not stupid and Harbord was a good lad but not there physically however rose to the occasion later on which I can respect.

50:00 that bald guy talking was in another documentary about the grenadiers, guarding the queen I think it was called

I would absolutely love to do that riot training.

The bloke at 50:01 was in the Grenadier Guards doc as well

I can't wait until I apply for Sandhurst! Being an officer is my dream job.

Iff I can work hard enough and psychologically work through my tests as I can work 200% more efficiently than in tests but I'm going to have to see how it goes

Thomson is a bit of class, even though he doesn't sound it. Tremendous.

25:17 - Probably not the best thing to say in a British Army interview considering the officers in front of you more than likely served during the Cold War and were brought up to view the Soviets as "the bad guys".

They specially teach the Ruperts not to be able to read maps.

I love how those from the public school situated 50 miles outside of the London areas are the ones that stick it until the end and just get on with it and then all of those from within the general area around London that went to private schools and have lived privileged lives and think they are above everyone, are the ones that drop like flies.

Nice to see i like that very good thanks you my dear friends Marine's Soldier's

38:30 .... Is it just me or does this guy shockingly look like Bear Grylls?! *(O_O)*

Thompson is a spot on guy! I'd have no problem serving as a soldier under his leadership, I'd feel safe, harbord on the other hand I'd know from the first deployment I was going to die under his leadership!

If they are dismissed or leave on their own accord from Sandhurst are they allowed to go thru the application process a second or third time? I'm asking because it's the one comment I did not hear in three episodes and in almost every section of the US Army you'll hear stories of "my second go" "took me 3 try's" etc.

Top stuff from the CS here, bring on Sandhurst

My geography teacher was in this intake

Looks like Sandhurst have it spot on. A leader of men is their job and they have it just right, proud to be a Brit knowing we have these guys as our front line protectors.

By all accounts Harbord was an exceptional squadron commander and well liked by his troops; he ended up as one of the youngest majors in the army before leaving. Almost like the editor had an agenda…

Toi cam on phap luat ebi my xin cam on cac anh cac chi rat nhieu vi khong quan gian kho ngay dem giup toi tim lai cong bang cho chong toi ru anh con song hay chet doi nay kiep nay tinh yeu em chi danh 1 minh anh em yeu anh nhieu lam hon anh hon anh

28:25 he lights the cannon aiming at the guys...

Can you imagine going into battle with that weakling?

Isnt this a scandal that a guy like Harbord is allowed to graduate and is supposedly ready to lead men in battle? He was physically weak, did not demonstrate any leadership skills, cheated in his run (huis pack 7 kg light and then the commander saying with a straight face that he believed it was not deliberate).’ Such class injustice...

Failure is a great option he ain't lying you can learn from failure to make yourself better, glad they didnt just get rid of the man struggling

53:10 dat Northern Irish quick march doe

Does make me wonder if the British Army 'officer class' has truly moved on from connections being more important than actual ability. Seems that no matter how bad you perform at Sandhurst, if you're a confirmed cadet because 'daddy' is in the regiment then you're set for life. Woeful and frankly makes a mockery of us to say we have the finest army in the world. Hope the top brass watched this series and realised this.

Harbord is now a Major and probably because of his father and not due to his soldiering ability which is at about the standard of that required for entry into the Women's own Auxillary ballon corp

I see people take the mick out of Harbord but to be honest he is the ideal officer. In particular for the Household division. Officers of privilege are perfect for the ceremonial roles. I hope he is having a good career and is successful in the Life Guards.

Most, nearly all Guards Officers are decent blokes, of course if the nearest you've been to service is You Tube, then you don't really have any comment to make. BRB 2SG

If one of then needed to work on his fitness how did he get into Sandhurst in the first place??

I very much doubt Guthrie remembers me - he is brilliant, my surname in PWRR is Hobbins.

James Harbord is now a Major in the Life Guards. And it says he's 22 here, this was filmed in 2010, he's probably not even 30 yet, fucking hell!