Training of the Army Reserve (United Kingdom)
| Army Training Unit | |
|---|---|
| Active | 2005-present |
| Land |  Vereinigtes Königreich |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Role | Training |
| Part of | Army Recruiting and Initial Training Command (ARITC) |
Army Training Units (ATU) provide Basic Training for a proportion of Army Reserve recruits in the British Army.
Reserve recruits are first selected at an Army Assessment Centre, before progressing onto Basic Training.
Recruits joining the SAS Reserve regiments are sponsored out to a local Army Reserve unit to complete Basic Training, and then the Combat Infantry Course, before attempting SAS Reserves selection. [1]
History
ATUs were originally created as Regional Training Centres (RTC) - which were in turn created from Brigade Specialist Training Teams (STT) - to provide basic training and specialist courses for the British Army Reserve (formerly the Territorial Army). They were originally commanded and administered by their local Regional Forces (RF) Brigade. From 2012, they were renamed Army Training Units and command of the ATUs passed to Initial Training Group (ITG), formerly part of the Army Recruiting and Training Division (ARTD), now part of Army Recruiting and Initial Training Command (ARITC). Initial Training Group (ITG) is responsible for all Army Basic Training, both Regular and Reserve, except Regular Standard Entry Infantry, of which Infantry Training Centre are responsible. [2]
Role
ATR Grantham is the British Army’s location for providing the Army Reserve Phase 1 foundation weekend, which is designed to introduce recruits to basic military skills and life. [3]
Reserve Recruits then complete a Mod 2 course of four training weekends over an 8-week period at their local Army Training Unit (ATU). ATUs are staffed by Army Reserve Instructors. Alternatively, Army Reserve recruits can complete this part of the training in a single 7-day consolidated period, which is delivered at ATR Grantham by Regular Army Instructors. [4]
During Mod 2, Army Training Units primarily teach recruits their weapon handling test, live firing, practical navigation, battlefield casualty drills, further drill instruction as well as a night in the field conducting non-tactical fieldcraft training, and physical training sessions, including TABs (Tactical Advance to Battle), also known as Loaded Marches. [4]
Following completion of Mod 2 comes the 15-day residential Mod 3, which is again held primarily at ATR Grantham, in which recruits are trained and assessed by Regular Army permanent staff. Recruits will also deploy into the field on two Field Training Exercises during this phase.[4]
In between Mod 2 and Mod 3, recruits are expected to complete Distance Learning in a variety of subjects on the Defence Gateway, and the Physical Development Pathway. [3]
Recruits will then attend Trade Training courses as stipulated by their cap badge / role. [5]
The Honourable Artillery Company currently runs its own HAC Recruits' Course. The Recruit's course lasts six months (Tuesday evenings, approximately one weekend a month and a ten-day final exercise). [6]
Standorte
- ATU North – Queen Elizabeth Barracks, North Yorkshire with detachment at Altcar Training Camp, Merseyside
- ATU Scotland – Redford Barracks, Edinburgh
- ATU Northern Ireland – Ballykinler Training Camp
- ATU West – Wyvern Barracks, Exeter with detachment at Maindy Barracks, Cardiff
Reserves Basic Training courses are also delivered by:
- Army Training Centre Pirbright (ATC P) located at Alexander Barracks, Pirbright
- Army Training Regiment Winchester (ATR W) located at Sir John Moore Barracks, Winchester - scheduled to close by 2026
- Army Training Regiment Grantham (ATR G) located at Prince William of Gloucester Barracks, Grantham - scheduled to close by 2028
Under Future Soldier, a new British Army Soldier Academy will be established in Pirbright. The sites at Winchester and Grantham will be closed. [2]
See also
References
External links
- Army Training Units at army.mod.uk