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Posted by "Michael O‘Leary" <moleary@bmts.com> on Mon, 05 Jun 2000 23:49:05 -0400
Albert,
Following their Basic Officer‘s Training Course BOTC, officers will
proceed to their corps/branch school for a series of ‘Phase" courses to
learn the technical, tactical and intellectual requirements to perform as a
junior officer in their classification. I can speak on the Infantry
approach, but cannot assert that every corps approaches things the same
way. Depending on the scheduling of courses and their career entry path,
new officers today often take their phase courses during the summer between
years at university at Royal Military College or a civilian institution
and/or attending secind language training.
In the infantry, BOTC is followed by Phases 2, 3, and 4.
Phase 2 is very similar to an infantry section commander‘s course. Weapons,
navigation, writing and delivery of orders, small unit section tactics,
recconnaissance patrolling, and leadership encompass the focus of this
course. It teaches the young officers the basics of their trade in the
infantry, as well as an understanding of their soldiers‘ roles, duties and
technical responsibilities.
Phase 3 is a dismounted platoon commander‘s course, very similar in context
to the QL6B Warrant Officer‘s course. Platoon tactics, orders, fighting
patrols, more leadership, and introduction to battalion weapon systems
theory are found at this training level. Also covered is the conduct of
training and conventional static ranges.
Phase 4 is a mechanized platoon commander‘s course. Tactical training
includes platoon mechanized operations, an introduction to company/combat
team tactics and a basic familiarity with battalion operations. Conduct of
field firing ranges for all platoon weapon systems is covered in detail.
Each phase course is ten weeks long. While many officers today take one
phase per year, it was once not unusual for new officers particularly
those not being put through university by the system to take them all
back-to-back. BOTC before Christmas, followed by Phase 2, 3 and 4 from the
first week of January to the third week of August. I can tell you that
could be tough.
The above gives a VERY light overview of infantry phase training. Other
list contributors are invited to update and refine my comments, or to
discuss the approach found in other trades/corps.
Beacuse the infantry phase courses are not taught in discrete regimenatl
platoons, regimental history is not covered. This is left to the Regiments,
The RCR used to run annually a Regimental Officers Indoctrination Course
that introduced these subjects it‘s now run less regularly.
As to whether one is ‘tougher‘ than the other, it‘s hard to say. Even those
officers who came from the ranks and went through both would have a skewed
view, certain aspects the edge would be taken off Phase training with prior
experience. Basic Infantry training and infantry officer training, while
having some overlap in skills and knowledge, demand very different
expectations and performance requirements of their candidates. Each is
demanding on the participants, neither is ‘easy.‘ Neither is meant to be.
Pro Patria
Mike
At 09:22 PM 6/5/00 0000, Albert King wrote:
> What exactly is the traing that officers must undergo after Basic? Even
>though all infantry officers train together in one place, is regimental
>history taught in the same manner it is to NCM‘s or do they get the "bigger
>picture." Would battleschool can‘t call it that anymore be mentally I‘
>don‘t think so and physically ? tougher then officer training? Thnaks.
Michael O‘Leary
Visit The Regimental Rogue at:
http://regimentalrogue.tripod.com/index.htm
Change is not to be feared. Simultaneously, change is not necessarily
improvement. An effective leader improves through change. An ineffective
leader seeks improvement through change. The first is sure of his
end-state, the latter never is. - MMO
--------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: To remove yourself from this list, send a message
to majordomo@cipherlogic.on.ca from the account you wish
to remove, with the line "unsubscribe army" in the
message body.
Albert,
Following their Basic Officer‘s Training Course BOTC, officers will
proceed to their corps/branch school for a series of ‘Phase" courses to
learn the technical, tactical and intellectual requirements to perform as a
junior officer in their classification. I can speak on the Infantry
approach, but cannot assert that every corps approaches things the same
way. Depending on the scheduling of courses and their career entry path,
new officers today often take their phase courses during the summer between
years at university at Royal Military College or a civilian institution
and/or attending secind language training.
In the infantry, BOTC is followed by Phases 2, 3, and 4.
Phase 2 is very similar to an infantry section commander‘s course. Weapons,
navigation, writing and delivery of orders, small unit section tactics,
recconnaissance patrolling, and leadership encompass the focus of this
course. It teaches the young officers the basics of their trade in the
infantry, as well as an understanding of their soldiers‘ roles, duties and
technical responsibilities.
Phase 3 is a dismounted platoon commander‘s course, very similar in context
to the QL6B Warrant Officer‘s course. Platoon tactics, orders, fighting
patrols, more leadership, and introduction to battalion weapon systems
theory are found at this training level. Also covered is the conduct of
training and conventional static ranges.
Phase 4 is a mechanized platoon commander‘s course. Tactical training
includes platoon mechanized operations, an introduction to company/combat
team tactics and a basic familiarity with battalion operations. Conduct of
field firing ranges for all platoon weapon systems is covered in detail.
Each phase course is ten weeks long. While many officers today take one
phase per year, it was once not unusual for new officers particularly
those not being put through university by the system to take them all
back-to-back. BOTC before Christmas, followed by Phase 2, 3 and 4 from the
first week of January to the third week of August. I can tell you that
could be tough.
The above gives a VERY light overview of infantry phase training. Other
list contributors are invited to update and refine my comments, or to
discuss the approach found in other trades/corps.
Beacuse the infantry phase courses are not taught in discrete regimenatl
platoons, regimental history is not covered. This is left to the Regiments,
The RCR used to run annually a Regimental Officers Indoctrination Course
that introduced these subjects it‘s now run less regularly.
As to whether one is ‘tougher‘ than the other, it‘s hard to say. Even those
officers who came from the ranks and went through both would have a skewed
view, certain aspects the edge would be taken off Phase training with prior
experience. Basic Infantry training and infantry officer training, while
having some overlap in skills and knowledge, demand very different
expectations and performance requirements of their candidates. Each is
demanding on the participants, neither is ‘easy.‘ Neither is meant to be.
Pro Patria
Mike
At 09:22 PM 6/5/00 0000, Albert King wrote:
> What exactly is the traing that officers must undergo after Basic? Even
>though all infantry officers train together in one place, is regimental
>history taught in the same manner it is to NCM‘s or do they get the "bigger
>picture." Would battleschool can‘t call it that anymore be mentally I‘
>don‘t think so and physically ? tougher then officer training? Thnaks.
Michael O‘Leary
Visit The Regimental Rogue at:
http://regimentalrogue.tripod.com/index.htm
Change is not to be feared. Simultaneously, change is not necessarily
improvement. An effective leader improves through change. An ineffective
leader seeks improvement through change. The first is sure of his
end-state, the latter never is. - MMO
--------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: To remove yourself from this list, send a message
to majordomo@cipherlogic.on.ca from the account you wish
to remove, with the line "unsubscribe army" in the
message body.
