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Defence Forces Training Centre (DFTC)

The Military College

The Military College is responsible for the provision of training and doctrine to the Leadership, management and combat units of the Defence Forces. Training includes career courses, Infantry support weapons, senior management courses and overseas training.

There are four schools within the Military College:

Command and Staff School

Located within The Military College, the Command & Staff School is the senior school of the Defence Forces. The school conducts career courses, staff courses, associated tactical, operational and strategic level training to support the education of senior officers. Its graduates are qualified to plan and conduct operations across the full military spectrum in order to fulfil national and international tasks at the tactical, operational and strategic levels of war.

Officers of Commandant (Major) and above rank are eligible to attend command and staff courses.

Command and Staff School Prospectus >>

Infantry School

The Infantry School delivers the highest possible standard of military education and training, in accordance with Defence Forces doctrine, ensuring that students on all career, instructor and other courses conducted by the school, are provided with the knowledge, skills and competencies to effectively hold appropriate appointments, as part of Defence Forces units at home or when deployed with multi-national forces on operations overseas.

The Infantry School conducts career courses for officers and NCOs in addition to specialist courses such as CBRN training and weapons courses etc.

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Officer Training Wing

Junior officers of all corps of the Defence Forces, in preparation for command and staff appointments up to battalion level both within the Defence forces and overseas in a multi-national environment, develop their professional skills on career courses,staff courses and associated terrain and tactical activities conducted by the Officer Training Wing (OTW).

The core function of the Wing is to conduct the Junior Command and Staff Course (JCSC). This course is undertaken by Defence Forces and international students and is designed to develop command, analytical and communications skills and provide officers with command and staff training and education to hold the rank of Commandant (OF–3) in a variety of command and staff appointments.

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NCO Training Wing

The NCO Training Wing (NCOTW) conducts career and instructor courses for NCOs of the Defence Forces to develop professional skills and train competent and efficient junior leaders. While other courses and activities are conducted by the Wing , the emphasis remains on NCO career courses which qualify Corporals for promotion on successful completion of the Standard NCO course, and Senior NCO appointments on successful completion of the Senior NCOs course.

Additionally, students that qualify, and successfully complete the Standard NCO course are eligible for the award of Certificate in Military Studies (level 6) from the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC).

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Infantry Weapons Wing

The Infantry Weapons Wing (IWW) conducts a range of courses that qualify Officers and NCOs to instructor level on Support Company weapons (HMG, Javelin Anti-tank, 81 mm Mortar) and
across a range of disciplines (Sniper, Recce Commanders, AFV recognition).

The IWW houses a number of facilities used by the Military College and other Defence Forces institutions. These facilities include:

Preparatory courses for overseas units and courses in new equipment are conducted as required.

United Nations Training School Ireland

UNTSI (The United Nations Training School Ireland) was established in 1993 as a school of the Military College with the principle aim of ensuring that the Defence Forces training for peacekeeping would be of the highest standards in all aspects of today's complex peace support operations. UNTSI is also a centre which draws on the exceptional range of experience gained by Irish peacekeeping soldiers on many missions world-wide.

The role of the school, therefore, is:

Courses available to Defence Forces Personnel

Courses available to foreign Military Personnel

In addition to the above mentioned UNTSI staff participate in Instructor Exchange Programmes with a number of peacekeeping training institutions in other countries.

The following courses are available during 2008:

14th International Military Observers Course & Staff Officer course (8 June - 27 June 2008)

8th International Military Police Course (7 September - 26 September)

3rd International Human Rights Course - (13 October - 22 October)

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Cadet School

The role of the Cadet School is to develop character, leadership skills and to encourage a sense of duty and responsibility trainee Officers (cadets). Cadets are trained in weapons handling (to instructor level), tactics (conventional, internal security and counter–insurgency), arms and foot drill, military engineering, human resource management, communications skills, military law, end-user computer training and academic studies which include leadership, psychology, Irish and military history, politics and economics.

A module of the Course is undertaken in the Defence Forces Physical Culture School where each Cadet is required to qualify as a Physical Training Leader.

Link to Cadetships information >>