Prior to this, Fijian infantry was formed as a Territorial battalion, with additional rifle companies, as part of the Fiji Defence Force.

The unit served in World War II initially under the command of Col. J. E. Workman of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF).

The main purpose of this unit at the time was to protect vulnerable points such as fuel dumps and important government buildings in the Suva area.

With the US entrance to the war, the US sought a forward training area and resupply base to serve as a potential line of defense against the Japanese sweep through the Pacific.

[citation needed] During the war, one member of the regiment, Sefanaia Sukanaivalu, received the Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration of the Commonwealth for his actions during the fighting on Bougainville.

The 3rd Battalion was established as a regular unit following the 1987 coups, to serve as Fiji's main territorial defence formation.