2nd Battalion, The Rifles

2nd Battalion, The Rifles is an infantry battalion of The Rifles, formed during the creation of The Rifles in 2007 by the amalgamation of antecedent regiments including the Royal Green Jackets and the Light Infantry. It serves as a light-role infantry battalion within the British Army with a history of deployments to theatres such as Iraq War and War in Afghanistan (2001–2021). The battalion draws lineage from historic units like the King's Royal Rifle Corps and the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry.

History

The battalion was raised on 1 February 2007 amid the reorganisation that created The Rifles from regiments including the Royal Green Jackets, the Light Infantry (United Kingdom), the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment, and the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment. Its antecedent battalions trace origins to Napoleonic-era formations such as the King's Royal Rifle Corps and to Victorian campaigns like the Crimean War and the Anglo-Zulu War. Post-formation, 2 RIFLES inherited battle honours from actions including Waterloo, Sevastopol, and colonial campaigns, while modern service saw continuity with operations in Northern Ireland during The Troubles, and expeditionary commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan. In the 2010s the battalion was assigned within brigade structures such as 6th Infantry Brigade and Headquarters South East and undertook conversion to light-role and airborne-capable tasks reflecting directives from the Army 2020 restructuring and later adaptations under Future Soldier.

Organisation and Structure

2 RIFLES is organised on the conventional British infantry battalion model with a Headquarters Company and multiple rifle companies, each drawing sub-units from antecedent companies of the Royal Green Jackets and Light Infantry. The battalion typically comprises HQ Company, A Company, B Company, C Company, and a Support Company providing fire support elements equipped to coordinate with formations such as 1st Armoured Division and 16 Air Assault Brigade. Command appointments have included officers promoted from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, with senior NCOs commissioned through institutions like the Army Sergeant's Major Academy and advanced staff trained at the Joint Services Command and Staff College. The battalion integrates with regional garrisons such as Bulford Camp and engages with reserve units from the Army Reserve including affiliated companies from the 4th Battalion, The Rifles (Army Reserve).

Deployments and Operations

Since formation, 2 RIFLES has deployed on operations under UK commitments to multinational coalitions including the Multinational Force in Iraq and ISAF in Afghanistan. Operational tours have included counterinsurgency in Helmand Province, mentoring roles under Operation Herrick, and stability operations during phases of the Iraq War under Operation Telic. The battalion has also conducted internal security and peace support tasks during deployments to Northern Ireland under operations linked to the Good Friday Agreement timescale, and partnered training missions in African theatres alongside units from United States Army, Canadian Army, and French Army as part of capacity-building exercises. Exercises such as Exercise Joint Warrior, Exercise Saif Sareea and multinational training with NATO partners have been a component of readiness cycles, as have short-notice contingencies supporting Operation Temperer-style domestic responses.

Equipment and Uniforms

As a light infantry unit, 2 RIFLES employs small-arms and specialist equipment consistent with British Army standards, including the L85A2 series family of weapons and support weapons like the L7A2 GPMG and the L16 81mm mortar. Personal equipment incorporates loadcarriage systems compatible with the Osprey body armour and night-vision devices such as the PVS-14 in joint operations with Special Forces and regular brigades. Vehicles used for mobility include the Land Rover Wolf series and lighter protected mobility from manufacturers aligned with UK procurement frameworks. The battalion retains distinctive rifle green uniforms and the traditional black buttons and badges derived from the Royal Green Jackets and Rifle regiments heritage, and it adheres to dress regulations set by the Ministry of Defence.

Traditions and Regimental Culture

2 RIFLES preserves traditions inherited from historic rifle regiments, maintaining customs such as dark green dress, shoulder titles, and the precedent of silent drill and skirmisher ethos traced to the Napoleonic Wars. Regimental culture emphasizes marksmanship and initiative, reflected in competitions like the Queen's Medal-linked matches and inter-regimental shooting contests with units such as the Royal Regiment of Scotland and Parachute Regiment. Battle honours, museum collections at institutions like the The Rifles (Blenheim) Museum and affiliations with civic entities including regimental colonels and associations sustain links to communities in counties once served by antecedent regiments such as Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. Ceremonial observances include commemorations on dates associated with actions like Waterloo and memorial events connected to Remembrance Sunday with participation alongside the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and veterans' organisations. The battalion fosters regimental identity through alliances with international rifle units such as the Royal Australian Regiment and the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.

Category:Battalions of the British Army Category:The Rifles