Infantry Training Centre (British Army)

The Infantry Training Centre (ITC) is a unit of the British Army, administered by HQ School of Infantry and responsible for the basic training and advanced training of soldiers and officers joining the infantry. The unit's headquarters are at Catterick, North Yorkshire.

Infantry Training Centre Catterick
Active1995-Present
Country United Kingdom
Branch British Army
TypeTraining
RoleInfantry Training
SizeThree battalions
Part ofArmy Recruiting and Initial Training Command (ARITC)
Garrison/HQCatterick

History

ITC Catterick assumed overall responsibility for all infantry phase 2 training from the three Infantry Training Battalion sites at Catterick, Strensall and Ouston on 1 May 1995.[1] As of May 2002, the ITC assumed full control of all infantry phase 1 and 2 training for the Regular Army in a single Combat Infantryman's Course (CIC). The course was subsequently renamed the Combat Infantry Course (CIC) to reflect the inclusion of female recruits.[2]

Training regime

Whereas initial training for other army roles is delivered in two stages - Phase 1 (basic training) and Phase 2 (trade-specific training) - the Combat Infantry Course combines both into a single course for Standard Entrants aged 17.5 years and above. (Junior Entrants enlisted from age 16 and destined for the infantry receive their Phase 1 basic training separately at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate before joining ITC for their Phase 2 training.)

The basic CIC lasts 26 weeks, in which the basics of infantry soldiering are taught:[3]

  • Personal administration
  • Weapons training
  • Drill
  • Fieldcraft
  • Fitness
  • Teamwork

Both the Foot Guards and Parachute Regiment have extended versions of the CIC that last an additional two weeks. New recruits to the Foot Guards undertake an extended drill programme for regular public duties.[4] The Parachute Regiment course incorporates additional fitness work with Pegasus Company, including eight demanding assessments such as a 20-mile endurance march and milling, a gruelling test derived from boxing.[5][6]

The course for new Gurkha recruits lasts for 37 weeks, incorporating the CIC course with English language training and cultural orientation for the United Kingdom.[7]

Structure

ITC Catterick is divided into three Battalions, of which two are Infantry Training Battalions (ITB) and one is a support Battalion (ITC).

  • 1st Infantry Training Battalion is responsible for training soldiers destined to join the regiments of the Queen's Division, The Rifles, the King's Division and the Scottish, Welsh and Irish Division. The 1st Battalion has five training companies:[8]
    • Queen's Division Company
    • Peninsula Training Company
    • Rifles Training Company
    • King's Division Company
    • Scots, Welsh and Irish Division Company
  • 2nd Infantry Training Battalion has responsibility for training recruits who will join one of the regiments of the Guards Division, the Parachute Regiment and the Brigade of Gurkhas. 2 ITB is also responsible for the Phase 2 training for junior entry recruits from the Army Foundation College, as well as training for the infantry elements of the Army Reserve.[9]
    • Guards Training Company
    • Parachute Regiment Training Company
    • Gurkha Training Company
    • Anzio Company
  • The ITC Support Battalion is the ITC's primary support unit, dealing with logistic and medical support. The battalion has the following departments:[10]
    • Headquarter (HQ) Company
    • Hook VC Company (discharged soldiers)
    • Gym
    • Army School of Ceremonial
    • Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming
    • Quartermaster's (QMs) Department
    • G7 Training
    • 400 Troop, Royal Logistic Corps

ITC Catterick is also responsible for the Infantry Battle School (Brecon), and the Specialist Weapons School (Warminster).[11] ITC Catterick is the predominant user of the Warcop Training Area.[12]

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See also

References
  1. "Memorandum from Mrs Lynn Farr". Hansard. 14 March 2005. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  2. "Phase 1 Basic training for recruits". Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  3. "Combat Infantry Course - Line Infantry". Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  4. "Combat Infantryman's Course - Foot Guards". Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  5. "Combat Infantry Course - Para". Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  6. Ripley, T (2008). 16 Air Assault Brigade: The history of Britain's rapid reaction force. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Aviation. pp. 25–26. ISBN 9781844157433. OCLC 854583879.
  7. "Gurkha training". Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  8. "1st Infantry Training Battalion". Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  9. "2nd Infantry Training Battalion". Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  10. "ITC Support Battalion". Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  11. "Specialist Weapons School". British Army. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
  12. "Public access to military training areas", MoD website

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