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What is a Rifleman?

To be a Rifleman is to be two things at once: rooted in a unique history, but focused on the future.

In the 18th Century, the normal ‘line’ infantry was armed with powerful but inaccurate muskets. They wore red jackets and generally fought shoulder to shoulder ensuring heavy volleys of musket fire from a tight and secure formation.

From the 1750s onwards in North America, the Army began to use some lightly equipped and better concealed infantry soldiers. Line Regiments began to form Light Companies, and it was from these origins that Rifle Regiments developed.

In 1800, the Baker Rifle was invented. With its enhanced accuracy and range, it allowed soldiers to engage targets more precisely at longer distances. This led to the development of skirmisher tactics, sharpshooting, and sniping to disrupt enemy formations and command structures. An Experimental Corps of Riflemen was created to make best use of this new approach. Dressed in dark green, they operated in smaller teams, with greater call on individual initiative. 

Operating outside the cohesive shoulder to shoulder formations, the early rifle and light infantry regiments needed to develop a special way of working – an ethos. This ethos was based around marksmanship, independence, self-discipline, and initiative. Riflemen needed to be led by very capable and independent junior officers and non-commissioned officers, who would communicate with their men by voice, bugles, and whistles.

The Rifles carries forward this ethos into the modern Army, and every soldier and officer in the Regiment today is proud to say “I am a Rifleman”.

Like many regiments, The Rifles can trace its lineage to the earliest chapters of the British Army. In battle, their Riflemen were taught to think quickly, react calmly and be comfortable with disorder and uncertainty – an ethos embodied in the idea of “the Thinking Rifleman”.

The Rifles were created to be both innovative and adaptable. Though increasingly drawn from every corner of the UK and further afield, The Rifles are united by their strong and consistent values. They are a family of equals who seek to draw out the very best in each other.

Since 2007 these strong characteristics have served The Rifles in campaigns and conflict zones across the globe, from Iraq to Afghanistan, with conduct that has been recognised in the remarkable award of a George Cross, 4 Conspicuous Gallantry Crosses, 11 Distinguished Service Orders, 5 Queen’s Gallantry Medals and 21 Military Crosses. This demonstrates the Regiment’s remarkable utility, agility and unshakeable foundations. The values that have always defined The Rifles will continue to serve them in future.

Pre 2007

913

Battle Honours

117

Victoria Crosses

Since 2007

1

George Cross

4

Conspicuous Gallantry Awards

11

Distinguished Service Orders

5

Queen’s Gallantry Medals

21

Military Crosses

As well as a distinct ethos and set of values, Riflemen share a rich variety of traditions that set them apart from the rest of the Army. Read more about the traditions that define the Riflemen, and where they came from.