when the regiment was formed, the ulster defence association (uda) did not yet exist; it would not be established until september 1971. dual membership was initially acceptable to the military authorities as the uda was not seen as a threat to the state. this changed when on 29 november 1972, the gocni, on instructions from westminster, announced that dual membership of udr and paramilitary organisations would not be tolerated and began a purge which saw 171 soldiers with links to the uda discharged by the end of 1975. lt col dion beard (1rtr) commander of 3 udr issued a battalion order: