The Regiment has a distinct dress code, akin to a rifle regiment. Its badge depicts two crossed AK-47 rifles with fixed bayonets atop which is the coveted Ashoka Chakra. Beneath, in a banner, is emblazoned the motto of this force - dridhta aur virta. Incidentally, the AK-47 is the main personal weapon of this force.

Rashtriya Rifles was raised as a para-military force as it was envisaged that personnel posted to RR would comprise regular Army volunteers on deputation, ex-servicemen and lateral inductees from various para-military forces and central police organisations. However, ever since its inception this force has comprised hundred per cent regular Army deputationists. This is the only regiment where troops from the Infantry and other arms and services operate together to combat terrorism under a common RR banner. Each battalion comprises six rifle companies. The infantry component comprises sixty per cent troops while that of other arms forms twentyfive per cent. The remaining fifteen per cent troops comprises task oriented troops from various services to provide the logistic back-up to the RR battalion. All individuals, prior to joining their respective units, have to undergo a four-week rigorous pre-induction training at a Corps Battle School. This is followed by two weeks of ‘on-the-job’ training and a periodic refresher training cadre under sector arrangements.

The reputation of Rashtriya Rifles as a specialised anti-terrorist force has a tremendous impact on the militant’s psyche who avoid any kind of direct confrontation with RR troops. Secondly, due to the proactive nature of operations conducted by well-trained and well-equipped troops, militants lost a number of their cadres, arms and equipment which was a grave setback to them. Such pressures against the militants have been continuously maintained by RR troops in a relentless manner. The motivation of all ranks to perform better has it roots in various factors such as a sense of pride to get selected in a special force with a separate identity, dress and organisation. Each individual is given here the opportunity to prove his mettle in operational field.

The achievements of RR have been laudable indeed. Amongst its plethora of honours and awards won are one Ashoka Chakra, 10 Kirti Chakra, 53 Shaurya Chakra and 300 Sena Medals. Among the awardees on Republic Day this year were Lt Gen Avtar Singh, the former Director General and Colonel of the Rashtriya Rifles who was bestowed with the coveted Param Vishisht Seva Medal for distinguished service of an exceptionally high order. This award has also been conferred to Lt Gen RS Kadyan who is the present Director General and Colonel of the Rashtriya Rifles. Sixteen units of the Rashtriya Rifles have been conferred with the coveted Chief of Army Staff's Unit Citation as well. As there is more permanence in the deployment of RR formations and units, they have a better rapport with the locals to gain more authentic flow of intelligence. As a result of all these factors, the junior leaders of RR battalions are able to take greater risks, often at the cost of their own lives to attain their operational goals. They always lead from the front, thereby setting an example for others to emulate. The fact that they have neutralised more than 7000 terrorists, captured more than 6000 weapons of all types and won more than 2000 honours and awards speaks volumes of this organisation.

For the creation of this legendary force, many sacrifices have been made by various organisations and individuals. To begin with, Headquarters Counter Insurgency Force, a formation headquarter equivalent to a corps headquarters, was sanctioned by the Government in 1994 for the overall command and control of Rashtriya Rifles. This headquarter was trifurcated later to form two operative force headquarters in J&K and a Rashtriya Rifles Directorate at Army HQ, Delhi.

The nature of tasks makes it imperative on the part of RR personnel to sacrifice basic comforts of life. The Army, as a whole, has made many sacrifices. The manpower for raising of the RR force was drawn from the units of the regular Army. These units operated with reduced manpower till deficiency was made up. The reserves of the Army was used for equipping newly raised RR battalions. The regimental centres of all arms and services had also undertaken the additional task of training persons posted to RR. A substantial amount of Army's budget was used for raising and maintaining RR till 1998. The budget of RR has been separated from defence budget since the financial year 1998-99.