They tried to swizz me with that too.
I joined as far as I was aware, HCR. Went to ATR Pirbright, and got told "Well done, you'll go to Knightsbridge."
Hang on a ******* minute. I joined HCR because of grandfather rights, so to speak, as he was 1st Royal Dragoons.
So I go to Riding School and thoroughly hate every pointless second of it, and start the process of a transfer to Scots DG as I was still Phase 2.
HCMR RCMO for Trg Wing pulls me in. "What are you doing you ****?"
Told him I joined to go armoured, not to ride horses. Was old enough to speak my mind and stand my ground.
It looks really bad for them if they get Ph2 transfer out, so they asked what would make me stay and I said HCR.
They took one last stab... "Ah, but there's a visit on, if you stay for another month, you'll get to Knightsbridge and get to guard the Queen."
No thanks says I, as I knew it'd be too late to transfer then.
Bish-bash-bosh, HCR a week later.
I am pretty sure it's
not a mandatory posting, they just have to do it to fill the HCMR numbers.
Having said that, if you can get past Riding School and handle being gawped at by tourists all day, you are living in prime London and the life that goes with that. Some of my peers that went there loved it, although by the time they got to HCR just under three years later, I'd already promoted to LCpl, and they were basically starting from scratch.
Towards the end of my time I'd even considered going over to have an easier and quieter life for a bit. Decided signing off was the easier option!