The Gurkha Who Made It Into the 22 SAS | Krishna Thapa

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3:05 Hey folks, this is the team house. I'm Jack Murphy and tonight's guest on the show. We're very happy to have Krishna Tapa on the show. He served in the Nepalese Gurkhas and then went on to serve in the British special air service and a very unique career and unique background. And I'm really glad to have you here today.

3:26 Thank you, Krishna.

3:28 Thank you, sir.

3:29 You know, it's my honor and privilege to be uh, to be on your podcast and having it, you know, talk with you. And I have to say, this is my first, you know, U S best, uh, podcast and very excited. And it's my privilege and honor.

3:47 Oh, thank you. Thank you. And we'd be honored to have you here. Uh, we're in Brooklyn. If you're ever coming through New York city, uh, you should come say hello.

3:57 Absolutely. I think that would be, that would be great.

3:59 Yeah.

4:01 So Krishna, let's start at the beginning. Tell us about your childhood, your upbringing.

4:08 Yes, obviously, I was born in Nepal. Those who've been to Nepal in the Anupurna, the land of highest mountain.

4:17 Oh, yeah, it's beautiful. Mount Everest.

4:20 And very famous for the Buddhist philosophy, Buddha, and also the warrior, the fighters, the Gurkhas. So, yeah, I'm from there. And in my tribe, the first child, especially the son, is responsible for the spiritual and the, you know, worship. And my tribe, I'm a Mughal, my real tribe. And Mughal is the.

4:50 is the... my....

4:56 Fifth and sixth great-great-grandfathers was the bloodline, the Gurkhas. However, we are growing up as a nature, you know, wisdom and day-to-day prayer for the nature, the way of life, and we worship our parents as our kind of basis of God. And that's why my grandfathers, we lost him in Second World War, and then that has the bloodline of the warrior, but yet again, have the, you know, the understanding of compassion for the prayer and offer. And especially me being a first son and my responsibility from early age is to, every single day, waking up, you know, and offering the connection with nature and the culture we call the Prakriti. Prakriti is a nature and we source and base on the nature and yet again has the

6:07 day-to-day standing and for our duty and responsibility.

6:16 So can you tell us a little bit more about your grandpa? Because I know the Gurkhas were very active in World War II. Somewhere in the studio, actually right there, I have. I got in Nepal.

6:33 Oh, awesome.

6:34 This is the, as I was told at least, this was the style of kukri that they carried in World War II.

6:42 Yeah. Very, very... Yeah, this is the kukri. We call the kukri, it is.

6:49 My childhood is seeing my grandfather, who I lost in Second World War, and seeing his kukri hanging in my wall as a childhood, you know, growing up into the Nepal Himalayas, a foothill of the Annapurna. Yeah, that's how we, our blood were, you know, and part of the Gurkhas and the kukri, you And when I joined the Gurkhas in the UK in 1996, and we had the three set of Gurkha kukuris issued as part of the, you know, compulsory from the British army. And then the one is for the day-to-day, you know, just walking and chopping the, you know, day-to-day walking. And other one is for ceremony. when, you know, like number two dress and, you know, be VIP and other one is just a spear. So that's part of the military shoot as well.

7:49 Yeah.

7:50 And then the kukri is the, you know, essence and also the representation of who we are and is draw the blood, not only our generation, but the blood is the same. It's the same color. Same elements come from a thousand years and that DNA is who we are today. And our job is to protect that plot line so that the generation, still the plot, is going to be continued.

8:22 So it is very much of who the Gurkhas and who I am here today as well.

8:31 That is the reason.

8:32 Yet again, we devour with gratitude and offering.

8:39 For our ancestors.

8:42 Correct me if I'm wrong, but it also plays a special role in Nepalese society because it's both, on one hand, an agricultural tool, but also a weapon of war.

8:53 Absolutely.

8:54 Let's be honest, Jack. We are We are all, if we find the core of our human, we are the peace and we are the war and we have the ability to think and react. And if need be, we became the warrior, we became the danger. And I think that's what they signify. We can use for our survival part at the same time, if need be, that same thing became a weapon as well.

9:25 Yes, absolutely.

9:27 And so as you're growing up, you're seeing your father's, or I'm sorry, your grandfather's kukri up on the wall. And you mentioned you're the first son in the family. What was sort of your parents' idea of sort of what your role was going to be as you came into adulthood?

9:44 Yeah, so thank you. It's a very good question.

9:47 And because my grandfather and a great-grandfather was also in the Gurkhas, but my father, he tried to join for seven years. seven years to join the Gurkhas. but he couldn't. You know, he wasn't able to join. It's pretty tough, you know, about 30,000 applicants each year. And to be the joining of British Gurkha from Nepal is about 180 people.

10:16 So out of 20,000 applicants, and it is the hardest passing rate, apparently it's harder than Harvard University. And then because of that, my father and my mother, before I was born, they had a dream for me to be a Gurkha, to continue the legacy of our grants, Gurkha's bloodline. And they had a dream again before I was born.

10:48 I am the Gurkha. And that's their wish and dream. At the same time, our ritual and culture, being a boy, first boy from Nepal, is born with the responsibility of offering and gratitude and nature and became the priest.

11:07 We call the Puzari.

11:08 Puzari is a person who carried away our culture and traditional as responsible.

11:16 For whatever we believe. So yes, they.

11:20 Had that dream before I even born, basically.

11:27 Yeah, I mean, as you're talking, I'm thinking about when I was in Nepal, I visited the Gurkha Museum. and got to see, you know, what is it, like four or five floors of the history. I mean, I read a book about the Gurkhas fighting Pashtuns in Afghanistan during the British colonial wars. I mean, it's an incredible history, like a history of warfare, and you can kind of find Gurkhas all through it. Could you tell listeners a little bit about the history of the Gurkhas?

12:01 Yes, absolutely.

12:03 So Gurkhas were started in 1814 when the British, you know, invaded and start, you know, occupying India. And on that during the time they coming to, you know, capture the.

12:18 Land of Himalayas up in a mountain.

12:21 And during the 1814 and 1815, and when they come across the very, you know, intense and then fight with the Gurkhas in the border, and then what the British force realized is the young, small guys from mountain is so hard to fight. And they couldn't, you know, gather the momentum as much as you like, even the massive number and massive outsource. And they realized it wouldn't have been really nice to become friends so that then rather than fighting them and we can become friends and then they will fight with us and we can go and explore the other.

13:00 Part of the world.

13:02 That's how the Gurkhas started in 1914-15. The word Gurkha, the word Gurkha is also very, you know, when you speak the sound, you have the, sound of raw, you know, sound of lion, sound of animals, you know, that's the real science about the war itself. And then the, you know, and then this, you know, history began, the Gurkhas with the British forces around the world, you know, in the Second World War. And then the, you know, the vow, you know, to all together 26 Victoria Crush, you know, which is one of the highest, you know, number of as a unit get, you know, from for Second World War town till now is, you know, with that number, you know, we are not that big, but in terms of victory across an award and then in honor and

14:02 it's my privilege and honor to be in the same shoes with those legends and then the warrior from my bloodline. And here I am today, you know, to talking about them and, you know, it's, it's been, it's been, uh, the most, um, you know, uttermost respect and an honor to be in the same shoes.

14:23 So it sounds like your parents had basically decided you were to be a Gurkha, um, when you did turn 18 or, you know, whatever the age limit was when you reached adulthood, um, what was it like joining the Gurkhas? What was sort of the selection process like?

14:39 Yeah. Um, To be honest, it's pretty tough.

14:43 One of definitely on the young age, when I just turned 17 and a half is the legally allowed. And 17 and a half when I applied, it's pretty tough and challenging as well. But the young boy, you know, just try to, you know, can do attitude. But yet again, when you face with the mountain of challenge and the process is, you know, when that thousand of the young boy have a same dream, you know, same desire, same bloodline, wanted to protect and move on in their life and career.

15:19 It's pretty tough, but at the same time, you know, we have to be willing to do more and give up, never give up. And then one of the hardest moments a part is, we call the doko, you must have seen, you know, doko carrying the load on our forehead and run in about five kilometer uphill. And then the hardest thing is, it's not the, how fast we run uphill with, you know, 25 kg on your back, but, you know, how fast It's not about time. It's about the first, second thought. You know, if you are in the group, first, second thought, you have a chance. And you might, time, it doesn't really matter. But are you in the leading back of your group? Are you willing to work hard?

16:15 You know, it's all about the grueling and hard and harsh and grafting, you know, to next level. I think that's the hardest part when you are young, just, you know, just turn to 18 years old. And yet again, you know, the driven force is our attitude and aptitude to gather the momentum and the dream, not only my dream, but my parents' dream for the legacy, my grandfather's dream, you know, who I still saw his cookery hanging on my wall from the young boy and when he's, you know, not here.

16:55 You know, those are the, you know, driven hook psychological and emotional hook we've grown up. And that's why I realized actually, death is not the defined moment, but how we live in this life and how we live now is more.

17:16 Important for us.

17:17 That's why our slogan is, it's better to die than to be a coward. You know, I think that's the Gagas motto. And we truly believe lived by all the Gurkhas and also still I do.

17:34 I wanted to ask you if you found or you felt that you were well prepared for the Gurkha selection process from growing up in the Annapurna region where the terrain is very difficult, the air is very thin. Did that kind of help get you ready for this?

17:55 Yeah, I think definitely there is the advantage, you know, advantages being in the high ground, being in the remote and most harsh condition. But if I have honest with you, no amount of preparation, no amount of training will ever to be ready. And when the challenge hit in our face and then start running and start moving, I think no matter how much we prepare physically and mentally, but nothing and not amount is enough. But I think that's where the importance of our psychological and emotional hook is so important in life. What is a dream that's bigger than who we are? What is the reason you are fighting and you are protecting? What is the true reason?

18:51 And that What I found is the reason is beyond us. And that is what we physically and mentally drain. And that is something outside will pull up and give us an even more deeper meaning. And I think, yes, I think that's, even though I thought I'd prepare and I failed the first time as well, you know. And after the years of preparation and carrying the doko on my back every 4 a.m., you know, morning up and down, And when I turn up, I still fail the first time.

19:25 But you know what?

19:26 In life, what I realize is actually sometimes stepping back is actually in life we move forward. And in that moment in time, we have to learn to accept our functional mind and accept what can I do right now. And that's what the important I wonder what can I learn you know when I'm can I learn to stepping back in the moment that mean we might moving forward in the life.

20:00 And the so the second time you made it through and but I presumably you're still a pretty young guy like 18.

20:05 And Yeah, so just past 18 and a half on the second time.

20:12 But then I think in the second.

20:14 Time, I realized more than my physical and the mental preparation. I think I had gathered my confidence and courage within me. And definitely I felt that this is.

20:30 Me this time.

20:31 When I'm stepping into the Gurkha camp in Pokhara, And then rather than with a full of doubt and then uncertainty, I think I have this courage and the confidence, this is my time. I'm into the arena now. And then I prepare very well. But at the same time, I didn't have a doubt on me. I think sometimes having a doubt is good, but not too much. But this time, because I was very, bring the courage within me. And I did prepare very well as well. And yeah, I think I've been very lucky as well. And then I managed to get into Gurkhas, yeah.

21:15 And then what is the sort of like basic training when you begin?

21:21 So first and foremost is the education because obviously when I joined Tuganesh, I couldn't speak a.

21:31 One long sentence in English.

21:33 Because obviously I don't, still today, I don't have any formal education as such. And that is one of the biggest challenge. And to be able to, you know, understand the language and culture and the, you know, the, and all the values. And once you do that, I think, I think mental aspect of preparation is And educational knowledge is so important, especially for the Gurkhas. And because our physical elements and physical, you know, being born in the Himalayas and grown up is, we're pretty much there. But it's just having the attitude of understanding the, you know, it's a nine month, nine month of training, physical training. emotional, psychological, at the same time, especially for the girl, because it's education.

22:28 I think that's probably the biggest battle. And we have to compete. And then when you come to the UK and we have to compete with the, you know, wider, you know, British armed forces and the coming over that part psychologically is probably quite hard.

22:48 But yet again, you know, when you have.

22:50 The will to do Will to live and will to die, what to believe, and I think any other obstacle can be overcome.

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25:53 I wanted to ask also, what is sort of the role of the British military in the Gurkhas today? Were they your instructors? Were they commanding officers? What is that relationship like?

26:07 So pretty much all the command elements and officers are the British, British Gurkhas, but they have to choose during their officer cadre and they will have to choose.

26:21 They want to be a Gurkhas.

26:23 And that's why our officer like senior officer, colonel, major, and the officer, you know, commanding are pretty much the British Gurkhas again, but they can't just switch, you know, from the other. They have to make their career when they apply for the Sandhurst and they will say, I want to be a Gurkhas. And then if they selected and then being, going to the Gurkha as officer is one of the hardest from the British, you know, Sandhurst officer.

26:54 it's like 0.01% chance. Only one or two are able to get in from the centers. And when they choose, and if they pass, and they will fly to Pokhara, where you've been, in the Gurkha Museum, and there's a Gurkha camp, and they do maybe three to four months of cultural education and understanding the Gurkha mindset, values, and our ethos. And they come back, and then... And then they start commanding the platoon commander and then the officers.

27:26 So still today is pretty much 100% is manning by the British officer. But now lately, those who are a little bit more educated Gurkhas, then they can be selected in the future, you know, the late entry early Gurkha officers. And that is now Slowly coming to the, you know, the later on these days, some Gurkhas are selected for the officer now as well. But still our channel command and, you know, the colonel and then key posts are still the British officers.

28:03 Do they send those those gentlemen, the Nepalese officers, do they go to Sandhurst also and then come back?

28:10 Yeah, yeah.

28:11 So now there are very few, those who are, especially, you know, like the educational, if they have able to meet the criteria for the education, now they are channeling to the, you know, very specifically, very less percent to the centers, and they can come back as a GERCA officer as well, yes.

28:30 That's pretty interesting. And so which GERCA unit was your first stationed?

28:39 I was the first Royal Gurkha Rifles, which we call 1RGR. And at the moment, we just have two infantry regiments, which is 1RGR and 2RGR. And they're based nearby the Sun Cliff, down the south border to the Dover.

29:00 In the UK.

29:02 And one infantry is in the south, which is nearby Dover, and the other one is Brunei.

29:09 You know, in, into the Borneo jungle.

29:11 So we are the two unit and each three to four years we, we change, change the unit.

29:20 And what was life like in one RGR at that time? What year was this by the way?

29:25 Uh, 1995, 1996.

29:27 Okay.

29:27 Yeah. So, yeah, being a Gurkhas, first of all, it's great, you know, when you are passed to the Gurkhas and the boy dreams know, every single boy from Nepal, especially, you know, for me, the legacy of grandfather. And it's not only my dream, it's my legacy of my grand, great, great grandfathers and my parents' dreams. And it's been great.

29:56 And routine, you know, obviously Gurkhas are very, you know, routine. And then our training and we care about our colleagues. And we, in essence, actually, we have our own, you know, Nepalese Gurkha cookhouse. And we still maintain the culture, still have a traditional culture. And then, you know, I enjoyed, you know, I had a great, you know, team. And still after 40 years, sorry, after 30 years now, still we are very close. And then everyone knows, not only our friends, but our families and kids. We live in a very much our core families. And also we celebrate together.

30:49 every month we have some sort of celebration and we still live by our values and very close so that we can look after each other when time comes.

31:06 Did you get deployed anywhere during that time frame? I imagine there were some peacekeeping operations during those years?

31:12 Yeah, there was a peacekeeping operation in that time, but I didn't have any You know, operational as such deployment from, you know, 1995 to 03, which is, you know, my, actually my, you know, I spent very few, few years with the Gurkhas, unfortunately. So in that time, you know, there's few piece operation, but not much operational, I guess.

31:39 Well, I mean, that is a good span of time. It's eight years or so, nine years. How did they occupy your time during those years?

31:50 Yes, I think 90% of my gurkhas, obviously, almost like one year plus is a regular training. And when I came to the first Royal Gora Rifles, and then majority of my time being occupied by the courses and training, and building up. So I was obviously trained for volunteer for the parachute, you know, combat para. And then I also trained for the PTI. And then, you know, like shooting the 100, you know, we call the Army 100.

32:27 I was in the shooting teams. And I was pretty much doing all, you know, the language training. And pretty much, I would say, my six, seven years career with the Gurkhas are 90% is on the course, you know, so I just run around and then doing all the courses. And yeah, that's, that was my career with the Gurkhas.

32:52 And did your unit switch out with the unit in Brunei at one point?

32:56 Yes. Yes.

32:57 So I, uh, I spent maybe, uh, two years, first two years, uh, in, in the Dover, uh, where we was one hour, 10 and in the, you know, 2002, in that time, and we went to the Brunei, then took over the, you know, jungle, jungle warfare. There I spent a lot of time in jungles and in Brunei, and then a little bit of, you know, peacekeeping, and then the, you know, with the locals in Malaysia and Brunei, that was a little bit kind of, not operational, but just, you know.

33:35 Security and peacekeeping.

33:36 Yeah, security, stability, training, and tasks.

33:43 And so by the time you get to 2003, how does the special air service come into the picture?

33:51 So, yes, I think, if I'm honest with you, just out of blue.

33:55 So basically, you know, of course, you know, if I'm honest with you, and of course, everyone heard about the SAS, and then Just out of blue, one day, my O.C. called me in, British officer O.C. called me in office and said, and then I was like, you know, young, very young guys, very keen on the career and course.

34:20 And I was actually afraid and then, you know, shattered myself, you know, why, you know, why the officer is calling in my, in his office. Normally, often 99% is something you've done wrong, and then.

34:34 There's a punishment.

34:36 So I was just thinking a lot in his office, and he said, like, oh, Chris, sit down. And the first question he asked was, did you hear about the SAS? I said, like, of course, you know, every soldier, you know, everyone heard about the SAS. And he said, like, how much do you know about the selection? I said, like, none.

34:58 you know, I have no idea about the slicks. And then he said like, oh, well, um, yeah, I think all you have to do is carry your Bergen backpack and you start running in the break and beacons. And I said, oh, you know, I think, I think I can do that. And he said like, no, I think it's the first time from the, you know, Royal Gurha Rifles, uh, we wanted to send, send a trial, because, you know, how, how the Gurkhas will do in the special forces, you know, selection.

35:30 And then we choose, you know, you are one of them. And I was like, two minutes, I was pretty shocked and surprised. And first and foremost, you know, I genuinely think I'm not that, I'm not good enough, if honest with you. But in the other hand, you know, being a soldier and being a Gurkha especially, and And one of the key principles is we listen to the order.

35:58 We learn to survive through the authority growing up, my father, my mother, and we devour and gratitude for something beyond ourselves. And when my OC said that, yes, you are of them, and I said, okay, if you have a trust on me, then I can only do my best.

36:19 Yeah, so that's the... You know, very by chance, by sudden.

36:24 And the, you know, the SAS came to came to my picture, I guess.

36:29 That's very interesting. I mean, so you were almost an experiment in a way. And do you think they selected you because of your language abilities and your good physical training scores and that sort of thing?

36:44 Yeah, a hundred percent because the, you know, we are from a unit in that year and the first trial from the RGR, we have about 40, 40 different individuals were selected. And then the, and, you know, then I, you know, then I couldn't drive and still my English was, I was learning, you know, over the last few years to be, you know, try to be, you know, good at it, but I doesn't, I, didn't think by that time i'm good enough and then the then then you know but uh he said like okay next week we got your you know.

37:22 Land rover the one green land rover.

37:26 Will outside for you is as yourself and then 30 or other girls will be jumping in there and all you have to do is uh you know carry the backpack and start you know on you know building up your muscles and And I say like, you are the OC, you are the commander, I'm here to serve. So if you send me and I will do and I'll do.

37:48 That's kind of my attitude, I guess.

37:52 What was the selection course like when you got there?

37:57 Oh, yeah.

37:58 I think especially I think for me was those are the moment and the time I can't comprehend with my mind because what I mean is when I turn up, And my selection was one of the biggest is about 375. And when I turn off first thing in the morning, 4 a.m., and all I can see is like giant, you know, the, you know, all the Marine and commandos and paras and, you know, all this big, you know, muscle and tall. And now here I am, this small girl on the side, like carrying the backpack.

38:36 I'm like, what?

38:38 You know, one of those things, I couldn't comprehend myself, where I am and what I'm doing. But at the same time, what I realized is sometimes not knowing and then, you know, being a small yet again, just show up is enough, you know, in life. Just show up on time. and with the right dress. And then it's okay to feel small. I think it's okay to not know everything.

39:08 But what I learned is I show up. And yet again, my mind couldn't comprehend those days and time. And yeah, it was pretty much a wow moment. I think from the day, every day for.

39:22 Me was new.

39:23 Every day I was, I didn't have any idea about what selection to be like. If honest with you. But however, I think I was very eager to listen. I'm very eager to, you know, at least when the time and place is given and I promise myself, you know, because in my mind, always have in my back of my defense was my legacy you know it's not my only dream I am Gurkhas because of my parents dream then my officer selected for me to go on the SS and my my only duty of care is what I left behind you know it's not more than what I am seeing it's something I have a very fundamental base within me and that is a reason I'm so up and all we can need some time you just move from there and I think that is the only thing

40:20 in my mind if honestly still and yeah every moment when I receive the brief and then and then they will give me the obviously you know the you know distance and direction and you know and all we can do is you know just move forward and do our best I guess.

40:40 It sounds like you know you had a good attitude going into it And also, you know, sometimes not knowing all the specifics is actually a good thing.

40:50 Yes. Yeah, definitely for me by that, Jack. I think I have, again, I was like, oh, my God. You know, that's the only thing I can imagine. And also, you know, sensory overload, I think, you know. And then I think, but still, I think sensory overload, but still my heart and my feet were stable.

41:12 You know, to, to move forward, I guess.

41:14 Uh, and so how did you feel that you were doing on the selection course as time goes on?

41:22 Oh, yes.

41:23 I think that's one of the thing, what I realized is the selection is very uncertain, you know, no one, they wouldn't brief you, they wouldn't interact.

41:33 It's just like kind of, you know, you, you, you are there.

41:37 Almost like, uh, on your own and no one, and then you only, arrive into the checkpoint or test point and some DS will show up and just give you the minimum information and you just look around you know that you know it's not much of a feedback um uh so bad actually the only moment you will find out is either you failed and you vw yourself or at the end of the week or end of the day, and Diaz will come up like, okay, you know, you pack your bag, go home. But then the very hard actually mental, of course, physical is very, definitely one of the hardest thing I have done in my life. And as more harder, I would say from physically, I think, sorry, mentally as well, because we don't know. I wasn't sure

42:31 every single day how I performing, Only thing, waiting for my dears to, you know, every night, or you are in or you are out, I guess.

42:44 And when the time came, how many of the Gurkhas from your group were selected?

42:51 So we, two.

42:53 So out of 30 on trial, two of us, we managed to, you know, pass in, pass in into the, you know, like get the belt and bear it.

43:03 Yeah.

43:03 Which that's probably statistically not very different than, you know, the Marines and the paras and everyone else that goes there. I mean, the attrition rate is pretty steep.

43:15 Yeah, it's pretty, pretty steep.

43:17 But what we actually found was still Gurkhas is the highest rate pass in terms of number and the in going to the S.F., But still, because in terms of normal, we are very small. You know, that's why, you know, that is the first trial. After that, we didn't have that much. And then they, lately, the few Gurkhas, they start coming in. And what they found is still the highest rate in the British and going from the Gurkhas, yeah, going to.

43:51 The SF wall. But purely... I think.

43:56 Our number is so small and then still manage to, when they put in the bigger picture, what is the number? And now we have got maybe eight or nine after our lot. And then in terms of number and passing, it's still apparently the highest right there.

44:13 And then what was it like going through SAS training after all of that?

44:21 Yeah, it's the.

44:23 Yeah, I think it's very, obviously, you know, like I say, it's the hardest thing I have done in my career. And also, I think, especially for the girl, because I know a boy like me, and to nurture and understand the, you know, British SAS culture is very unique, what I found, and understanding the psychology in understanding the you know, 100, about 100 years of culture of SAS, the way, the life, the way of SAS is what I found is very unique and the, you know, hard to master sometime.

45:04 But at the same time, what I.

45:06 Realized is those are the very, you know, 1% or less than 1% of the whole British, you know, British army and being in the SAS selection. And what I realized that they are very, very sensitive And they are very helpful and they are very trust, you know, and actually I struggle. If honest with you, I struggle maybe for maybe four to six months. And especially I couldn't live by the bacon and beans and toast. I never had that, you know, in growing up in Nepal. And then when even though when you are in the Gurkhas, then we still have a Gurkha curry. Then when I went to the Harry Ford, then first thing I struggled was the food. And second thing was the culture and, you know, understanding the, you know, the, you know, the,

45:59 you know, understanding the real way of the SS life. And then the culture is far different than being a girl. So I think I struggled. I struggled quite a lot there. But however, I think my size and measure, by that time and he noticed that and then they didn't actually he didn't told me off but he told my colleagues and surrounding if i'm not you know feeling welcome it's not my my fault it's actually the colleagues who were with my and then which i didn't aware of that time after three to four months time and my colleagues and all the uh you know friends were you know around me, they were like taking me to the gym, taking me to the, you know, pub, and they bring me, they welcome me in a way, they welcome me in

46:51 the group, and they groom me, they put under their wing, and that's what I, sometimes, you know, it took me many years later, you know, how they bring me up, you know, rather than, you know, put me down, and it's, that's why I think it's the best, best man of the comrades I ever served. And I still feel honor and very gratitude to be part and back of this man, very unique and experienced and very sensitive human being. And I think that's the only reason, I think, my experience with the guys.

47:31 I imagine they sent you back to Brunei for the jungle warfare training portion.

47:37 Yeah, as part of the selection, we have to go to the jungle, but not after the service, you know. But yeah, during the selection process, there's a massive part, you know, about, I think, six weeks in a Burundian.

47:54 Jungle, yes.

47:55 It's really tough from what I hear.

47:58 My God, yeah, you know, that's one of the....

48:02 Eye-opening time for me, you know, being a Gurkhas and then spending, born in the jungle in Himalayas, and I spend myself in the jungle with the Gurkhas before the selection. And then in my mind is, I turn up on the selection, I say like, you know what, jungle is me. I am the jungle and I am the jungle warrior.

48:24 I born in jungle. I serve, you know, serve with the Gurkhas. And I had that attitude. The first thing I realized is I was wrong. You know, the SAS selection is so hard, you know, and sometimes what we comprehend in our mind is only.

48:45 That what we experienced.

48:46 But when I turned up on the selection and the first day, my DS said to me, Said, we have got about 25 students in the group. But he said, I just need a 12. So 12 of us need to either VW or volunteer or the, you know, or the felt or, you know, give up during the tap. And I was like, my God, you know, this kind of briefing is already, already happening.

49:20 Your mind is like, shit. You know, you look, and then the worst thing is you look side, either side, you know, right center. Everyone's better than you. And it's like, oh, this is me now. It's my turn to go down. So, yeah, it is.

49:34 And then it's like 40 degree, you know, constant sort of thing. And then, you know, man, raining and mud, living in the, you know, hammock. Oh, man, it is like crazy. And that's why I think whatever, that's another thing as well. Whatever I thought in my mind, I saw and I was completely shocked. And, you know, that's where the, you know, definitely for me, jungle is one of the hardest thing I think I.

50:04 Have done, yeah.

50:08 And if I recall correctly, the SAS is broken up into, um, each troop has a different specialty. Um, which one did you end up going to?

50:19 Yeah. So yes, you are right.

50:20 And I went to the mountain troop when I, when I went to the squadron and that's another, you know, another story in my life because I thought I'm from Nepal and I'm from mountain and that's the reason I choose the mountain. was the one the first day when you know welcome to the troop and then oh mountain troop and my staff sergeants and oh chris welcome to mountain troop and and sit down and i sat down and his first question was have you done any mountain training no do you know ice climbing no do you know how to ski no do you know anything about the mountain?

51:00 No.

51:01 And I said, like, fucking hell, my boy, you choose the mountain.

51:04 I said, oh, shit. I said, I'm from Nepal. I'm a mountain.

51:07 He says, like, I have no idea. And I said, like, my God. You know, it's never stopped. And then, and then he said, he, but, you know, he looked after me very well. He said, like, Chris, boy, you know, welcome to, you know, to the SS Mountain, too. But yet again, you have no idea. But, if you show up and if you wanted to willing to learn, you have got the opportunity. And I said like, you know, I'm here to do my best. And, and he looked after me very well. And he sent me, you know, with other guys, attachment with the J2F2 and then on our, my squadron and obviously with the guys, Norway, Norwegian SF.

51:51 And I've been very honored to be, You know, constant fast tracking and with his help and gratitude, I think it helped me.

52:01 He basically, you know, helped me to survive, basically.

52:06 Did they have to send you to a bunch of different mountaineering and mountain warfare schools?

52:10 Yeah, yeah.

52:11 So basically how it happened is once you choose your troop, And then within the two to three years, and then they will put you on that troop in Philly skill course from the SAS.

52:27 Then if you fail, that's it.

52:29 You're going to have to argue.

52:32 You know, it's not good enough.

52:33 But what he done for me was then before the course, you know, two years time, before I'm starting my SAS mounted course, then he realized, shit, Chris has no idea about the mountain and skills and awareness and understanding. Then the best way to prepare in that time is to give the maximum opportunity for me to expose and to understand.

53:00 And he did it.

53:01 Then my job is to just to king and wanted to do and learn every Christmas Eve. every, you know, block leave and Chris, do you want to do that? I said like, yes, sir, send me. And it's like walking, come up like, okay, we've got the two weeks coming up with the J2F2 in Canada.

53:18 Do you want to do it? Yes, sir. You know, I was just doing it.

53:21 And I think, and that's what, you know, bring me some time, you know, the essence of time and the value.

53:30 And not only from.

53:31 Myself, but also our senior, you know, our commander and colleagues has so much impact who we are, and that changed the course of our life and then career.

53:44 Could you explain to the listeners, people who don't necessarily know, some of the difficulties in mountain warfare, how difficult it is to move soldiers and equipment through this sort of terrain?

53:59 Yeah, it is actually, I have to say, it is one of the hardest craft for the soldier because a lot of the, you know, modern days name and fame are given for those who climb the high mountain and became the shortest way of becoming the name and fame in the world, apart from the fighting. But for the soldiers, for the soldiers like us, is we are there not to, you know, name or fame, but for to survive or to protect. And that comes with loads of extra preparation and skills and living day and night and grafting, you know, not only ourselves, but, you know, like we say, weapon and ammunition and how to make it, you know, serviceable and, and how to sustain in the harsh condition and altitude.

55:00 I think, you know, mountain, especially in operation as well, you know, operation in the high mountain when they are trained is harsh. You know, the climbing and the skills and rope and on top of your personal kit and equipment is one of the hard thing, man. And also, you know, You're hanging on the nine millimeter rope, you know, and trusting everything. And then you're shaking, you can't see.

55:30 And then like, you know, house and feet either side. And then after that, you are just standing yet to fight, you know, yet to ability to go and do your.

55:42 Job is not started yet.

55:45 So I think that's actually, I would say, you know, if I honest with you, in my, you know, so many decades with the Serbian front line and being all the, you know, mission around the world, I think I have to say Mount Entry is probably the grafting and most harsh. You know, you have to own it. You can't just fake it. You know, you have to do everything right.

56:11 And before you actually start your job, actually.

56:15 Right, right. The mountaineering is the infiltration portion.

56:19 Yeah, absolutely.

56:23 Another thing that I wanted to ask you about was the SBS. And if they had a similar program or a similar sort of idea of recruiting Nepalese into it, because I did read about NIMS, the mountaineer who sadly passed away recently. um, in an avalanche. Um, did you come across the SBS guys? I mean, were there fellow Nepalese that you met during your travels through the SAS?

56:50 Yeah, absolutely.

56:52 Because obviously, uh, you know, names is my younger brother. He's very close to me. And then he's, he came few years after me actually, you know, uh, Sadly, you know, we have to lost him because then I was a mentor for him and I did taught him how to climb. I did actually take him to the Nepal mountain with me many times. We saw me to Everest together. We saw me to Daulagri, you know, another mountain together. Then I actually, I found he has a true strength and I was the guy who actually advised him to change the troop from Daulagri He's, you know, the diving force to the mountain troop back in the SPS. Yet again, you know, sometimes, I think, sometimes, you know, it's very hard, you know, to be the mentor and losing your young guys,

57:47 you know, passing away before you. I think that, you know, let's be honest, that's life. Sometimes, you know, with the big responsibility and big decision making, imminent and ultimate decision in life.

58:00 We're going to have to take it.

58:01 And, uh, you know, that's a part of who we are as a soldier, as a father and, you know, as a business owner, I think that's just a part of life, I guess.

58:11 Yeah.

58:11 I mean, as sad as it is, I mean, at least we can say, I think truthfully that he died doing what he loved.

58:18 Absolutely. A hundred percent. Yeah. Yeah. Uh, yeah.

58:24 I want to ask you a little bit more about sort of the culture shock in SAS. From what I understand, it has a very, like in the United States, you know, in the Rangers, we'd say sua spanta, like it means of your own accord. You're expected to be self-motivated to go out and know your job and do things, which is very different than being in a very regimented military organization.

58:50 Yeah, I think what I truly realize is being a Gurkhas and told as you do, you know, the command and the mission command and the instruction come from your senior and your full-screw.

59:06 Sergeant and the officer.

59:09 And then what I realized in the SAS is almost like thinking soldier, you know, can do. And then you have the voice and you are welcome to participate. I think this is what my biggest learned, especially, you know, boy from Nepal. not having an education yet again, be humbly welcome in the group and then be a part of expression. And they welcome my expression. They welcome and essentially bringing our true strength, who we are. And my strength was the communication. I could speak the nine different languages and my strength was the mountain and my strength was the you know, I could go and the war in a day and I could go and have a curry and then, you know, and the roti with enemy in the night, you know, I think that's, That's the

1:00:10 unique of the Gurkha warrior. And in that culture, we grown up is part of who we are in a bloodline, you know. We can eat together, but if the line is crossed, then we can kill each.

1:00:23 Other as well.

1:00:24 I think that's switching mind of the, you know, very unique, you know, strength, I would say, maybe Gurkhas have, I guess. And that is the essence of the understanding of, And that actually essence of who I am as a girl because actually flourish and able to, you know, became who I am is definitely through the SAS mindset and SAS psychology that allow to express more than who we are.

1:00:57 Right.

1:00:57 It's sort of like a culture where they ask for everyone's input and they want you to bring your expertise to the table.

1:01:03 Absolutely. Absolutely.

1:01:05 Yeah. I, and when you were with the SAS, did they deploy you anywhere?

1:01:11 Yeah, man, I was, uh, you know, uh, about 12,000 days on the ground operational and, uh, being, uh, uh, I would say one is one of the, you know, you, you count my, my operational days on the boot on the ground is.

1:01:27 About more than 12, uh, 1200 days.

1:01:31 And then the, um, yeah, I've been, um, I think maybe 12 operational tour and the Iraq, started from Iraq, Afghanistan and lately, you know, and the training up in Eastern Front and some of the, you know, kind of, you know, Lebanon and stuff like that. They have been, you know, with privilege and honor. as a duty of care and responsibility as a soldier. I think that's kind of my duty and punctuality, turn up on the time, do as I told, but also express and think on our feet, I guess.

1:02:14 And so you started off in Iraq, it sounds like?

1:02:17 Yeah, yeah.

1:02:19 What was that like after going through all of this training and coming from this lineage, this family of warriors, to now find yourself actually in it?

1:02:31 Yes, I think this is the moment of truth.

1:02:35 Moment of truth. Sometimes we dream and we dream big. And then as a soldier, as a warrior, and then this is the moment. You're waiting for many years and many years of preparation. And with the best, best of the best guys. And that's where I had the opportunity to see and learn to grow not only with the British SAS, but, you know, have managed to work with the, you know, USSF and Canadian, you know, has a huge amount of, you know, uh, knowledge and then, you know, learning, learning through that as well.

1:03:15 And yeah, yeah.

1:03:17 Those are my days. I, you know, I honor and then, and, you know, uh, uh, these are my days on the ground.

1:03:26 I mean, yeah, it sounds like you spent a lot of time abroad, uh, Um, are there any operations that kind of stand out in your mind is particularly, you know, historically significant or personally significant for you?

1:03:39 Yeah, I think, um, yeah, I think definitely, uh, you know, many, I guess many operation, uh, has, you know, we, we are, we are there to do our job, our responsibility as a soldier, as elite forces. Um, but I think for me, the significant moment of the time is, uh, more than achievement in life, uh, fighting, uh, fighting. And I think I, uh, have realized a lot of things about life, internal realization, internally struggling. And, uh, and I realized that conflict, uh, we fight in our mind is harder and stronger than the fight we, we, you know, with, with enemy. And that moment is definitely, you know, missing my own colleagues, you know, and the colleagues who gave their life for me.

1:04:37 And I think those are the moments I think has a lot more impact lesson learning in.

1:04:44 My life, yeah.

1:04:45 Those are the moments that sort of stay with you.

1:04:48 Yeah, 100%, yeah.

1:04:49 Yeah.

1:04:49 And then also, Also getting deployed to Afghanistan, I mean, were you able to use some of these mountain warfare skills that you had spent so long learning?

1:05:01 Yeah, absolutely.

1:05:02 Many, you know, many times has to deal with the, you know, HR option in the mountain.

1:05:10 And, yeah, very, very useful.

1:05:13 And, you know, still today in life, you know, now, you know, I use those knowledge and skills is you know, I think very, very important in the day-to-day life. And I use many times, you know, in Afghanistan and, you know, around the world, basically, you know, the skills of climbing and fixed lining and day and night, you know, harsh conditions, snow and ice. And essentially it's life, isn't it? You know, like life, you know, we can constantly battling every single day.

1:05:47 You go a couple of feet up and you go down and you go up. But fixed line climbing skill is the only one who you assist and take you further up and plan better and then come up with the deception plan, you know, come up with the safety first. I think I definitely use not once, not twice, but many times.

1:06:13 And So, I mean, were you on the mountain troop the entire time?

1:06:19 Yeah, I was the mountain troop my whole career. And that actually became the tip of the mountain winter warfare for whole unit and head of the full selection and run the courses, not only for the UK defence and heliport, but also multiple different nations had the ability to work, maybe about 14 or 15 different SF guys around the world and be part of the learning and be part of the sharing.

1:06:58 I would say.

1:06:58 Interesting. So you were running the school?

1:07:01 Yeah.

1:07:02 So I ran the whole mountain warfare, wind open courses for the guys.

1:07:10 Where is that conducted, by the way?

1:07:13 So it's all the, you know, threat specific. But the general course, we start from the UK, North Wales. And then we go to the, you know, like France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Norway, Sweden. And also we go to the, you know, US and then the Canada as well.

1:07:38 Wow.

1:07:40 What was it like for you to kind of, after an extensive career in the Gurkhas and the SAS, to kind of, you know, come and be an instructor and teach students and kind of pass these skills that you learned down to them?

1:07:52 Yeah, I think that's the, you know, moment of realization in a way, you know, you never thought, I never thought, you know, I will be, I'll be in, I'll be SAS. I never thought I will be heading of the, you know, chief of the three, four years. I think, but that's why I think it's very important for us to realize every day, whatever our achievement, it's not only, only me, you know, I think I was always very fortunate to thank you.

1:08:26 Thanks.

1:08:27 And to gratitude is all the colleagues who gave their life for us and to put that mind and also to, my seniors and my, you know, seniors, my staff, and then my sergeant major who supported me in my career. And that's the reason for me to every single day, it's not only my job and response of the, you know, all this, uh, um, you know, um, um, our, our life has to be realized in that way. And I think that's, that's what I find very privileged and honor to be in the suits and in that group.

1:09:11 Was that sort of your last assignment before you retired from the military?

1:09:17 Yeah, no, I did the, that was my second last career post, you know, warrant officer for the chief of the, you know, mountain school. Then I, my last post was working with the director of special forces and the, you know, looking after the winter warfare.

1:09:39 And then the, you know, admin and, you.

1:09:42 Know, operational staff support for the wider UK defense, UKSF.

1:09:53 I guess I'm curious also, when you go and have a career track like this, you become a Gurkha, which they have their relationship with the British, and then you actually were joining the British military itself. Do you get British citizenship during the process of this? I'm trying to ask also about how you envisioned your future after the military?

1:10:18 Yeah.

1:10:18 So, uh, answer is no, uh, because the, uh, uh, so basically when they signed the treaty in 1914, you know, sorry, it's like, you know, 1814 or 1914, somewhere around in the war time in, in the, between India, uh, Nepal and British. And when they signed the treaty, the only, uh, By law, Nepalese citizenship has to be Nepalese in order to be a serving British Korka. That's the law. But however, I think then after leaving the serving, then if you are willing to become the British citizenship, then you are You can get the British citizenship as well as part of the service from the British military as well.

1:11:20 And so what was your thoughts as you get to retirement age? What are you thinking about sort of your future? And I mean, you've spent your entire life in the military at this point.

1:11:30 Yes, to be honest, my initial thought was the, you know.

1:11:37 After retire, go back to Nepal.

1:11:39 Because what happened was in my career, maybe, you know, well during the operational tour and my way of life was changing quite a lot. And my spiritual journey of, you know, has took slightly over. as I, even though as I'm in operational frontline, but I was always connected with, you know, let's call the God or whatever you.

1:12:08 Believe in the system. I truly believe into the energetic field.

1:12:13 And then, so those are the moment in time I was start doing more and more before I do play into the, you know, mission. I always sit down and close my eyes and visualize the stuff I'm going through. How can I, how can I, comprehend in my mind because this could be my ultimate night you know all this thing every operator actually has to go through and then it is quite tough for the boys you know every single night day and day to have that you know the mind and battle and conflict within us but then I find the way of my day to day dealing life was through only realizing and meditating and connecting who I am and you know, try to find. So as the career broke, you know, going, I still fight, you know, in the front line for many years, but

1:13:07 I was, that was kind of my secret weapon within me to comprehend my daily conflict in my mind. Then that decided after the, then my thought was before I even leave, I said, okay, I'm going to go back to Himalayas and spend the many years, many days in the jungle and, you know, became a, the one of these meditation and understanding the, not the logical mind, but illogical, you know, emotion and how can I understood the way of life?

1:13:42 What is the way of life? And then that was my decision.

1:13:46 But however, I'm married, I got daughter and my wife told me like, oh, Chris, you're going nowhere. I said, oh shit, what I'm gonna do now? So life hit, you know, that's life. And then, yeah, so that was my initial thought when I decided to leave the service.

1:14:09 So since you retired, I mean, what did you end up doing?

1:14:12 Yeah, so.

1:14:16 I actually just left regular 2022 and then the part-time SF 2024.

1:14:22 And then....

1:14:25 Then what happened was, since I retired, because that's why when I left the regular 2022, then my job is I wasn't sure how we're going to do in the world because I can't go back to Nepal because I have a daughter in the UK and because of education and everything. Then I was just backpedaling, oh shit, you know what I'm going to do? I have no idea, to be honest with you. And then one day, one of a couple of friends from the London, civilian colleagues over the years, and they said like, oh, Chris, can we go walk and talk with you? Because you are one of those guys, you know, been in the battlefield, you know, many days, many months and years in battlefield.

1:15:06 But when we have, you know, coffee and get together, you always give us some sort of advice in life, how to manage the stress and how to go with the day to day and And then the, and that's, can we go walking and talking? And I said, okay, you know, at least I can happy do that with our friends anyway. And we started going to the walking just nearby the park, you know, park in London. And it became the theme that every week and a couple of guys come up and then we go for coffee and we just sit down and talk in the forest and tree. It's just normal with the coffee. And then, then that's why my, they gave me the name, you know, this warrior monk, or he's the guy who is really, really, really been, you know, in this so many days and

1:15:55 months and years in operation, but he talked like, you know, this calm and give.

1:15:59 Us a lot of advice. And this became a thing.

1:16:03 And, and then they were like, oh, you are both, you are, you can give us the, you can, tell us how to kill but also you can teach us how to heal so it's like oh i wasn't expecting that and they gave me the name warrior monk and then they started what we're going to have bring the couple of guys together can you run the session two hour for us so that we can you know help us to day-to-day life in a bank day-to-day life in a day-to-day how can you go up and then i said like okay let's talk and then then slowly started and then that became the kind of at the moment.

1:16:38 So my day-to-day life is just not by my choice, but by the demand, by chance. And then now I'm now talking quite a lot about the warrior monk mindset. How can you still fight the battle, still fight the dream and still earn the money, but yet again, you can be calm and collective and truly find a connection with you I think this is now I'm, you know, sharing, sharing call so that they call the wild yet again mindful retreat with the warrior monk Chris Thapa. So literally, I just came back today, you know, after the four days wild retreat in Manchester. So I think, again, I don't even know, you know, sometimes just life is calling sometimes.

1:17:29 you know, this thing happen and I say like, okay, you know, it's something I can be part of and then actually it's a way of my service and I still can serve the people and anyone and if anything is better and then that's kind of my duty today and now. So yeah, that's kind of my work at the moment, sharing, you know, how to manage, how to deal with the situation.

1:17:56 And it's called the Wild and Mindful retreat.

1:18:00 Do you do this for soldiers or veterans or is it kind of for everyone?

1:18:07 Kind of everyone at the moment is kind of also on kind of demand, you know, like some people just call me in the family house and then also quite a lot involvement with the soldier and veterans, especially the disabilities and the PTSD and mental. So I got the huge chunk of my time with still with the veterans and the injured soldier. And I still work that. And then the, you know, this kind of demand with the stress management and life. And then it's kind of a lot of, I think, quite a lot of demand by the public and civilian as well.

1:18:47 And where can people go to find this? Is there a place that people can go to sign up or learn more?

1:18:54 Yeah, it's definitely WarriorMonk22. It's all the media and the WarriorMonkMindset.co.uk. is the website. And I know in there is, uh, you know, you can see the retreat and then the bootcamp and the, you know, uh, and the, um, uh, all the media is, is there as a warrior monk too, too. Yeah.

1:19:19 And we'll put some links down in the description for the listeners if they want to go and check that out. Um, Krishna, I mean, thank you so much for sharing your story with us. Is there anything else you would like to bring up? Are there any other questions that you wish I had asked that.

1:19:33 Maybe I didn't?

1:19:36 No, I think you've been very, you know, smooth. And thank you. Thank you for listening. And thank you for me. Great opportunity. I'm very excited. You know, you know, it's one of my first reach out in U.S. and I hope you know, if anything from my side is that, you know, all we can do in today and now is that's what we have. And then all our responsibilities come not to hide, not to go on the set, but come more sharpened, more calm and collective, not to hide, but to fight. I think that's kind of my attitude.

1:20:16 And thank you.

1:20:17 And I'm very honored and privileged to be with you here.

1:20:21 Oh, no, we're honored to have you on the show. And people can go find you at warriormonkmindset.uk. Please go take a look. And thank you, everyone, who joined us for this podcast. And thank you, Krishna, for your time. And we will see all you guys next time.

1:20:39 Thank you and have a great day. I think that is quite early morning.

1:20:46 We'd like to thank VAR watches for presenting this episode. Please go to VAR watches.com slash the team house. Uh, and you can get a free watch roll with any purchase you get. And if you're a veteran active duty, first responder, law enforcement officer, uh, you can get 20% off additional to your purchase. Thank you VAR for sponsoring this episode. That's VAR watches.com slash the team house. You can check out the link in the description. Thank you guys.

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