Page 100 - MERCIAN Eagle 2021

Infantry Training Centre Catterick
Maj D Stewart
As I near the end of my 14-month assignment at the ITC I am able to reflect on what I have learnt both personally and professionally from a training establishment as well as what experiences have shaped my tenure in post as the Training Officer of the 2nd Infantry Training
in what would be in a unique time both for the recruits in training and all the permanent staff on assignment. The impacts of COVID were far reaching, from the disruption of transport, isolation of recruits, cancelation of exercises
and even the change to simple daily tasks like collecting
planning and implementation of a new course structure, CIC 21. The basis of the change in the “how” we train was driven by three factors; as a direct result of military judgement panels (MJPs), which saw Field Army units from across the divisions giving feedback as the customer on the recruit product from ITC. Increasing the percentage of the formal training statement (FTS) achieved, and finally taking strides to improve the efficiency and efficacy of the training conducted by incorporating new serials, new weapon systems, all with the grounding of IOpC and the vision of the Army’s Future Soldier 2030 in mind. A PAN ITC working group was created and work began in early March 20 in which
a campaign plan was agreed. Work began on the senior entry 1ITB course and over time this merged into the 2ITB space, and the variant planning was
able to start. Building the courses was an incredibly time-consuming process that took on board both customer and deliverer points to fashion a course that would ultimately reduce wastage and up the standard of the output from the ITC. Although we have not yet assured the programmes the consensus is that a de- heated course with more time for recruits to assimilate information against more
Battalion (2ITB).
I have enjoyed (almost!) every minute and will look back in the knowledge that we were able, with the support of
weapons and messing. The resulting in depth planning cycles were able to mitigate these issues and allow training to continue in a safe and efficient manner resulting in the only real impact of the pandemic being
a small percentage
being able to load to training when they expected, and an even smaller number leaving the ITC not having completed the CIC in its totality. With assistance from Support Battalion at the ITC, the Recruit Allocation Plan (RAP), tracks
the loading of all the training platoons. This vast excel spreadsheet spans the entire ITC and determines when and how many recruits are loaded to training in any given training year (TY). For 2ITB this can be in excess
of 1344 per TY of
which 20 had been
female in TY20/21.
Although the volume
decreased over the
course of my tenure
by no means did it
mean the staff were
doing less work, it
simply meant there
was additional
scope to focus on other projects that would benefit the ITC. These included occupational health studies on recruit sleeping patters, uplift in Tactical Engagement Simulation (TES) kit,
Army Awareness Activities (preloading
to training), multiple marksmanship initiatives, revised training and assurance surveys, aptitude testing and mentoring initiatives with CTCRM, all of which would promote best practice and efficiencies across the Inf training space.
Arguably however the main effort over the past 12 months had been the
the excellent and
proactive staff, to
impact tangible
change as to how
the Infantry train in basic (BT) and initial trade training (ITT).
of candidates not
Arriving during a pandemic in Oct 20’ there were inevitably many ongoing training issues which presented a challenge
ITC has a strong cohort of MERCIAN permanent staff who instruct over both Battalions from Maj to Cpl level. There are over 11 different course variants delivered at the ITC ranging from 14 weeks to 30 weeks, most of which
are delivered at 2ITB. These include
the Junior Entry programme, senior entry Guards, Para, Line, AR, JNCO cadres and specific JE Guards and
Para programmes. Throughout the majority of the Combat Infantry Course (CIC), recruits cover Attacks, Urban, Patrols and Defence with the course culminating in a weeklong Final Ex with an attached LFTT package. The Army Reserve course is a condensed 2-week package which included an Introductory Exercise and a 4-day Final Exercise. As well as conducting training, permanent staff also have opportunities to attend personal development courses and Adventurous Training, with upcoming packages such as EX ANZIO WARRIOR, surfing in Newquay, and EX NORTHEN ALPINE, skiing in Val Thorens, France.
It is a busy place to work but has many opportunities to personally develop by conducting CPD and AT should you get involved!
Arriving during a pandemic in Oct
20’ there were inevitably many ongoing training issues which presented a challenge. It took some time to complete the “understand” phase of what my
roles and responsibilities would entail
accurate metrics, will, inevitably produce a better trained recruit. It is expected that the FA will start to feel the benefits of this project at the end of the 22/23 TY.
Moving on to ICSC (L) Bravo course in Jan 22 I hand over
the Trg Offr position with a depth of knowledge that I am sure I will be able to utilise in years to come, certainly at SUC. I would urge staff of any rank to consider an assignment at the ITC. It is the home of the infantry, and it focuses solely on our core business, infantry tactics and training. Being able to shape the next generation of infantry soldiers is one of the most rewarding roles and one that all infantry instructors should strive achieve at some stage in their career.
Being able to shape the next generation of infantry soldiers is one of the most rewarding roles
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Infantry Training Centre Catterick
THE MERCIAN EAGLE