Although neither the Grenadier or Coldstream Guards had previously had incremental companies formed from their 2nd battalions, between March 1971 and January 1972 the 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards was reduced to a single company as a result of defence cuts. Additionally, F Company was also retained to serve as a reinforcement unit attached to the Irish Guards. Options for Change also saw the retention of a second company from the Grenadier Guards, when Inkerman Company was transferred from the 2nd Battalion to the 1st Battalion, being renamed as Left Flank Company in the process.