Newly commissioned officer Captain Julian Valverde handed over his pacing stick to WO1 Dean Castrey who is the new Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment.

Captain Valverde, who has served 21 years in the Regiment, has been the RSM for the past 11 months. He was recently selected for a Late Entry Commission and his new post within the Regiment will be as Officer Commanding Headquarters Company.

He commented on being involved in Regimental Headquarters and many of the decisions the Commanding Officer gave him the deeper understanding and essential experience that will assist him in fulfilling the next stage of his career as an officer.

Captain Valverde will now complete online Military Knowledge training followed by a 4 week Late Entry Officer course in Sandhurst, UK.

WO1 Castrey had always wanted to join the Army and initially set out to join the Artillery in the UK, the join up process proved very expensive coming back and forth to the UK and so he decided to join the Regiment at 17, he said, ‘I joined with the intention of transferring at a later date, however, I loved the Regiment so much that I have stayed here ever since and have never looked back.’

The role of RSM is one he has aspired to since joining the Regiment 18 years ago, he noted that he feels as though he has achieved his lifelong goal.’

WO1 Castrey credits his family with his success especially his wife Leanne and their children Sienna (5) and Callum (2) “My family have been a massive pillar of support, I personally feel that 60% of achievement in the military is about having a supportive family and behind every successful man is a stressed out woman” he added with a smile.

WO1 Castrey joined as a rifleman and within a couple of years picked up his Lance Corporal. He has been on numerous exercises all over the world including Canada, Morocco and Alaska, where he took part in rifle trials in extreme conditions, with temperatures at -40 degrees it was an arduous task and a unique experience.