THE SCHOOL OF INFANTRY

Introduction

The British Army is the world leader in military training. Its experience of operations over the last 300 years is unparalleled. The Headquarters School of Infantry (HQ SCHINF) oversees the training of all Infantrymen joining the British Army and produces the most qualified and capable Infantry soldiers in the world.  Located in the North Yorkshire Dales the School of Infantry underwent a significant reorganisation in the Autumn of 2004, which resulted in a more balanced and focused headquarters covering the 3 core sites of Catterick, Brecon and Warminster.  Co-located with HQ SCHINF is the Infantry Training Centre (ITC) Catterick which conducts Infantry Training combining Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Combat Infantryman's Course (CIC) (although Junior soldiers destined for the Infantry continue to receive Phase 1 training at Bassingbourn and at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate).  The Infantry Battle School (INFBS) at Brecon conducts a Phase 2 Battle Course for all Infantry Officers, and Phase 3 Courses for all Infantry WOs, Senior and Junior NCOs. The Support Weapons School (SWS) at Warminster conducts Phase 3 Courses for Infantry Officers and Soldiers. 

ITC Catterick is responsible for a training output in 2007/08 of approximately 2900 phase 1 - 3 trainees to the Field Army on completion of their Combat Infantryman's Course.  A variety of Phase 2 and Phase 3 courses at the ITC, the Infantry Battle School and the Support Weapons School trained a total of 3158 Officers and Soldiers.

The HQ School of Infantry controls two main sites, the largest being ITC Catterick which is located in North Yorkshire near Richmond.  Our second site is the Infantry Battle School located in Brecon, South Wales.  The Support Weapons School is located at the Land Warfare Centre in Warminster, Wiltshire.  All of the 3 locations are encompassed within secured wire areas within estates that are varied in terrain which offer a demanding but realistic environment to all concerned. 

Mission Statement

"To deliver trained officers and soldiers in accordance with the statement of training requirements inorder to support the operational requirements of the Army and defence."

The Infantry Training Centre

Background.

The ITC has been open since 1 May 1995 when it took over all responsibility for the Infantry training from the three Army Infantry Training Battalions at Catterick, Strensall and Ouston.  As well as all initial training for the Infantry for both Regular and Territorial Army (TA), ITC Catterick also conducts Phase 3 training for the Infantry Corps of Drums and Pipes and Drums.  In addition, pre- parachute selection courses are run for trainee soldiers joining the Parachute Regiment and for volunteers for 16 Air Assault Brigade.  The creation of ITC Catterick has centralised these aspects of training on a scale not seen since National Service.  ITC Catterick is now the home for the Infantry with all the responsibilities which this implies.  Since 23 July 2001 the HQ School of Infantry has been located in Vimy Barracks, it commands ITC Catterick, The Infantry Battle School in Brecon, Wales, The Support Weapons School in Warminster, the School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming (ASBM & HD) in Edinburgh and The School of Ceremonial including the All Arms Drill Wing, which has moved to ITC Catterick from ATR Pirbright, its home for 59 years, in March 07.  

General Description.

 

The ITC is responsible for training an annual output of some 6000 trainees.  To meet its training remit, the ITC is organised into 2 Infantry Training Battalions (1 & 2 ITB) and a Support Battalion (ITC Bn).  The 1st ITB is responsible for conducting the Combat Infantryman’s Course (CIC) for recruits who wish to join the Queens, Kings, Scots, POW’s and Light Divisions whilst the 2nd ITB will be responsible for those wishing to join the Guards, Para’s and Gurkha's.  The 2nd ITB is also responsible for the All Arms Parachute Selection Course (P Coy), the Gurkha Language Wing (GLW) and Anzio Coy who are responsible for short courses including the Potential JNCO Short Course for the TA which has been running since April 1996 and has a great success, the aim being to assess, as objectively as possible, whether a TA soldier has the potential to be a JNCO.  The ITC Battalion is responsible for the administration and logistic support for the whole of the ITC Catterick; in addition it is responsible for Williams Rehabilitation Wing, Hook Coy, who take responsibility for the administration and discharge of trainees, The Army School of Ceremonial, the ASBM & HD and the Army Primary Health Care.  In total, the ITC is established for 808 military and 257 civilian posts.

 

The organisation of training for the CIC is structured on an intake system.  The ITC is geared to receive a regular soldier intake of up to 140 every fortnight with up to an additional 148 TA Infantry Soldiers every alternate fortnight.  This planning yardstick is governed, principally, by resources available to training.  Training takes place within Divisional Companies and encourages Regimental identity from day one.  This training structure applies to all Companies within the ITC Catterick, however the Foot Guards and the Parachute Regiment complete a different, longer CIC and are both “stand alone” Companies although the Foot Guards do train with the recruits of the Line Companies for all field training as these facilities are primarily geared to training a Company at a time.  The Gurkha's complete a separate and much longer course of 40 weeks which includes English language training.

 

In addition to the courses mentioned above the ITC also has responsibility for a range of other courses including the All Arms Pre SAS Selection Infantry Skills courses to prepare non-infantry potential students for SAS selection.  It also administers tri-service trainees undergoing Parachute training at RAF Brize Norton and assists with Army Cadet Camps and “Look at Life” schemes.  It also provides English and Nepali language training for the Brigade of Gurkha's through the Gurkha Language Wing.

 

Mission Statement

 

"To deliver and support the delivery of trained soldiers to meet the operational requirements of the Army."

   

Background.

The Parachute Regiment Battle School was first established at Dering Lines, Brecon in 1961. Since that time the School has gone through many guises, but it has always been the place where the Infantry has trained its NCOs. More recently it has subsumed the Platoon Commanders' Division from Warminster and is now genuinely a centre of excellence for Dismounted Close Combat at Platoon level and below for both the Infantry and the Army.

The training conducted at the Infantry Battle School is the basis for all operations the Infantry deploy on. Training for high intensity light role war fighting is the means by which soldiers and officers are prepared for any possible operational situation that they may face, in any environment, whether it be conventional war fighting, counter-insurgency operations, peacekeeping or activity in support of civil authorities. The results speak for themselves and continue to do so in Iraq and Afghanistan. The lessons from Dismounted Close Combat have changed little over the years and the principles endure even if tactics, techniques and procedures need to be adapted to modern conflict and weapon systems.

The Infantry Battle School is based around four Divisions:

Platoon Commanders Division (PCD). On leaving Sandhurst newly commissioned Infantry Officers attend PCD. The aim of the Course is to train Infantry Platoon Commanders to command a platoon in light role, high intensity warfare and to train and administer a platoon in peace.

Senior Division (SD): Infantry Cpl's seeking to gain promotion to Sgt are taught the role of the Platoon Sergeant. This focuses on the administration and command of a Infantry Platoon on operations.

Junior Division (JD): The Section Commanders Battle Course guides Lance Corporals through the deployment, command and administration of a Infantry Section on Operations.

Infantry Weapons Division (IWD): Teaches both Skill At Arms (SAA) and Live Firing Tactical Training (LFTT). SAA focuses on junior commanders ability to instruct on weapon systems along with basic range duties and battle lessons. The LFTT course focuses on the planning and conduct of Level 4 and 5 live firing along with complex platoon battle lessons.

Other courses conducted at the Infantry Battle School:

TA Platoon Tactics Course

Basic Tactics Course

Infantry Warrant Officers Course

All Arms SAA and LFTT

Mission Statement

"To deliver trained officers and soldiers in order to meet the operational requirements of the Services."

Support Weapons School

Training takes place at Warminster and Brecon, where Infantry Officers and Soldiers train for their war role in either - Mortars, Anti-Tank, Direct Fire (Machine Guns and Snipers) or Communication disciplines.

Courses are run by instructors who excel in their respective disciplines and have recent operational experience in the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Our aim is to provide the Infantry with trained personnel who are highly motivated, confident in their abilities and ready to operate in any theatre. 

In addition, the School provides the opportunity for students to gain National Vocational Qualifications as part of their specialist training.  Whilst the training caters specifically for Infantry personnel, we include specialist support training for the Royal Marines and RAF Regiment.

Mission Statement

"To deliver trained officers and soldiers in order to meet the operational requirements of the Services."