The Infantry Training Centre Catterick (ITC(C)) is embarking on a significant period of change not seen since its inception 6 years ago. On the 23 Jul 01 the HQ School of Infantry moved from Warminster to Catterick. Command of the School of Infantry is now the responsibility of the Comdt ITC(C). The Comdt of the School of Infantry, as he will be referred to in the future, will be a one star appointment (Brigadier) who will command the ITC(C) and the Infantry Battle Schools (IBS) at Brecon and Warminster. This major restructuring gives clear indication that the future of Infantry training in the British Army lies in Catterick.
As mentioned in the previous issue of White Rose, plans for the introduction of the combined Phase 1 - Phase 2 Combat Infantryman's Course are developing at a rapid rate. There have been two trial 24 week CIC Single courses that have proved extremely successful. The combined course has reduced wastage in training considerably and proved to be a more efficient and effective way to train soldiers. It is on this basis that the Adjutant General has given approval for the CIC Single course to be phased in for all Infantry recruit training by Sep 02. This of course has significant implications for the ATRs; all of which will re-role or shut down. Busy times lay ahead at the ITC(C) implementing the new CIC Single course. The whole course needs restructuring to incorporate the training objectives previously taught at the ATRs as well as those already covered in Phase 2 training. Permanent Staff instructors will be required to teach a broader range of subjects and will need additional qualifications such as MLT, BFAT, NBC Defence Assistant Instructor and Basic Drill Instructor in order to fulfil the teaching requirement. The CIC Single course is without doubt the right way forward and will almost certainly improve the standard and reduce wastage in Infantry recruit training.
Foot and Mouth disease (FMD) continues to affect the delivery of training although we continue to produce Infanteers for the Field Army. We started the New Year unaware that are training areas would be placed out of bounds and that the normal 14 week course would be amended in order to accommodate lack of resources, principally ranges and training areas. To enable training to continue field training was conducted in and around camp and in the Whinney Hill OBUA complex. As you can understand the field conditioning of these young men is not as it would be. Fortunately, in the latter weeks of April Garelochhead training area was opened up and allowed us to conduct a seven day final exercise. (Those of you that were involved in the Bn FTX at Garelochhead last year will appreciate that it is not an ideal area to conduct recruit training on!!) FMD has inevitably had an impact on the quality of soldier you receive in Bn. The standard of fieldcraft and physical robustness of the trainee on arrival at ITC(C) was below average due to a lack of time spent in the field developing these skills in Phase 1 training, due to FMD. These skills proved hard to develop during in-camp training and the absence of 3 tactical exercises compounded this problem. The in-camp training taught the mechanics of section and platoon tactics but it was very difficult to confirm lessons taught in a testing and arduous environment. The knock on effect was that the final exercise became a combined teaching and confirmatory exercise. The soldier joining the Bn lacks the basic fieldcraft and personal administration skills needed to cope for extended periods in the field. Furthermore he is less physically robust particularly when carrying weight and fatigued. Needless to say, all members of permanent staff are working as hard as possible to produce the best possible soldier to join the Field Army.
To add a little interest to this article I have included snippets from members of PWO permanent staff on their experiences at ITC(C). In true PWO fashion they are entirely honest and brutally to the point.
Lt B Richards
My first experience on posting to Catterick was the induction cadre; a week of learning the do's and don'ts of the ITC. It was like being back at Sandhurst again, lots of powerpoint presentations and lectures, mainly reinforcing things we already new, but with a fair amount of detail specific to an ATRA training environment as well.
What immediately strikes you as a new arrival at the ITC is the sheer size of the place, it is huge. The officers' mess for example has two annexes and over 100 members. All of a sudden you feel a very small fish again. I soon learnt that the momentum of the place soon picks up new arrivals in a flurry of activity and there is little time to worry about anything.
The Platoon I took over was beginning week four when I arrived, so I had to jump into the drivers seat and learn on the hop. With prompting and a great deal of help from my NCOs I was able to keep my head above water. My second week was spent on exercise in Otterburn teaching low level tactics and fieldcraft to the trainees, then it was back to Catterick for administration prior to going on summer leave.
Aside from the flexibility in the training programme due to FMD, the ITC runs an inflexible and rigid course structure, akin to a runaway train. As an instructor you have to hop on, learn how it works and then help it on its way as best you can.
Lt B Richards
There I was once again stood at the gates of The Infantry Training Centre Catterick (ITC) ready to embark on the rigorous induction cadre that everyone has to attend. It was a cold January day and I was still sun tanned having recently returned from a rather successful tour of Sierra Leone. Alright my arms were red because I'm a strawberry blonde as those that know me can confirm. After the induction cadre had finished, (Hard core death by view foil soon to be extended to three weeks so rumour control has it), I was summoned to G Company office to receive a message from the CSM. The message read 'Your mission, should you choose to accept it (which you will!!) is to go straight to the CQMS's store to collect your webbing, put it together and get yourself to Warcop Field Firing Area as soon as possible'. It soon dawned on me that I was deploying straight on exercise. In true 'P dubs' fashion I flapped, packed too much and headed off for the transport that left at 0430hrs. My life as a Pl Sgt had started.
The most impressive thing that I have seen here at the ITC(C) is the flexibility needed by permanent staff instructors to deliver both the TA Combat Infantryman's Course (CIC) and the regular CIC as they have had their lengths and contents changed. The regular CIC has been changed more times than a mag in a hot contact! Eleven weeks, 12 weeks and the normal 14 weeks. Oh and anything in between. The instructors and their ability to produce top quality lessons with all the changes, whilst working within the constraints of FMD was a sight to behold. That should cover the self-back patting. Remember you've got to remain flexible.
Well I know I cannot write this article without mentioning the trainee. What a fine outstanding set of young men they are. To tell you the truth they aren't that bad. Most of them are keen and do take on board what they are being told and taught. BUT the skill fade factor is a big one and probably one of the most challenging things you'll come across. They have so much to take in such a short time they do forget some of the basics. The only thing you've got to remember is that this is not SCBC or PSBC it's the CIC and the standards are set to enable them to take there place in a rifle platoon as a rifleman and nothing more. There is no room for creeping excellence within the training. This is harder for the section commanders to accept as they are trying to produce the best results for their Battalions.
The main change is the CIC single course, where they walk in with long hair and earrings and 24 weeks later they join their units ready to do battle. Sounds like fun, but it is extremely hard work involving many late nights, especially during the first six weeks anyway. Well all I can finish off with, is that a posting here as a Platoon Sergeant is not an easy option by any means. However as long as your administration is of a high standard and you can aim off for fast balls, it's very rewarding indeed and I would recommend it to anyone.
PWO Permanent Staff at ITC Catterick
Maj N L B Allbeury 3rd Bn 2IC
Maj G R Wolfenden OC B Coy
Capt T
Wilson Adjt 2nd Bn
Capt N P Baker Pl Comd F Coy
Lt B Richards Pl Comd I
Coy
Sgt M L Field Pl Sgt H Coy
Sgt A W Strangeways Pl Sgt G Coy
Cpl M
E Brewitt Sect Comd D Coy
Cpl P J Burke Sect Comd D Coy
Cpl J J Handley
Med Centre
Cpl N A Seal Sect Comd D Coy
Cpl A Shevlin F Coy StoremanCpl
Lent Sect Comd