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| South African Army College | |
|---|---|
 South African Army College emblem | |
| Active | 1968 to present |
| Country |  South Africa |
| Allegiance | South Africa |
| Branch |  South African Army |
| Role | Training |
| Garrison/HQ | Centurion, Gauteng, Thaba Tshwane, previously Voortrekkerhoogte |
| Motto(s) | Paratus (Preparedness) |
The South African Army College is a training unit of the South African Army.
South African military training can be traced back to 1786 when the Militere Kweekskool was established by the Dutch East India Company to develop local cadets, but collapsed due to lack of funds. [1]
Under the Union of South Africa’s Defence Act of 1912, allowance was made for a formal South African Military College. Two branches were initially set up namely the General Branch or military school and the Musketry Branch or musketry school.
Both branches were initially housed in Bloemfontein in the Free State. The military school received its first intake in that same year and by 1913 the musketry school began its first rifle instruction course. The school of musketry eventually became the Weapon Training Branch of the College. Another school was opened for signals training, also in Bloemfontein. All schools eventually were housed on Tempe and placed under a single command.
At this stage the unit became known as the South African Military Schools and was now composed of:
On the outbreak of WWI, training staff were transferred for mobilisation training at Potchefstroom and some served overseas.
By the 1920s the unit was re-established at Roberts Heights near Pretoria and renamed the South African Military School. By 1923, a commissioning course was held, resulting in the school being declared a proper College.
An additional wing, the Air Staff Wing was opened for the development of personnel for the emerging South African Air Force, which did not have a training institution of its own at that stage.
By 1939, a further six branches had been created:
Approximately 150 000 students of all ranks received training at the Army College during the war. Several branches had also become schools in their own right and had moved to premises across South Africa. For example, Signals moved Potchefstroom becoming the Signals Training Centre. By the end of the war however, some branches such as the Chemical Warfare branch had been disbanded. [2]
Branches such as Administration and Ordnance started in the 1950s while joint training between the Army and Air Force came to an end with the eventual establishment of its Air Force College. In 1953 the Weapon Training Branch was redesignated the Infantry School; see South African Infantry School.
By the 1960s, Intelligence, Nuclear, Biological and Chemical branches was established as well. The Infantry School had moved to Oudtshoorn in the Cape.
In 1968 the Chief of the Army changed the name of the unit to the South African Army College in order for it to fully develop its now uniquely Army character.
The wildebeest as the College’s symbol had been adopted around 1924. A shoulder flash was developed around 1963 displaying the wildebeest in a roundel of blue and maroon. The Wildebeest concept had originated from a trophy given to the Military School from the Mounted Rifles.
Note: Last attained rank of incumbent is used
The Namibian Defence Force (NDF) comprises the national military forces of Namibia. It was created when the country, then known as South West Africa, gained independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990. Chapter 15 of the Constitution of Namibia establishes the NDF and defines its role and purpose as, " ... to defend the territory and national interests of Namibia".
The South African Army is the principal land warfare force of South Africa, a part of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), along with the South African Air Force, South African Navy and South African Military Health Service. The Army is commanded by the Chief of the Army, who is subordinate to the Chief of the SANDF.
The South African Military Health Service is the branch of the South African National Defence Force responsible for medical facilities and the training and deployment of all medical personnel within the force. Though unusual, as most national militaries integrate their medical structures into their existing service branches, the SANDF regards this structure as being the most efficient method of providing care and support to the SANDF's personnel.
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The Rhodesian Security Forces were the military and security forces of the Rhodesian government. The Rhodesian Security Forces consisted of a ground force, the Rhodesian Air Force, the British South Africa Police, and various personnel affiliated to the Rhodesian Ministry of Internal Affairs. Despite the impact of economic and diplomatic sanctions, Rhodesia was able to develop and maintain a potent and professional military capability.
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The School of Artillery is the South African Army's specialized artillery training school
The South African Army Training Formation is the controlling entity of all South African Army training units. The Formation was established in April 1999 and mandated to provide, maintain and sustain landward common training to the SA Army.
Edward George McGill Alexander is a former South African Army officer.
The South African Infantry School is within the Army Base in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape. The Infantry School, now at Oudtshoorn, was established in November 1953, after a history dating back to the South African Military School in Bloemfontein, established in 1912. It is the Infantry’s “centre of excellence” and offers a number of infantry-specific courses to regulars and Reservists.
Eastern Province Command was a command of the South African Army.
7 South African Infantry Division was a formation of the South African Army, active from the 1960s to 1999.
The South African Army Signal Formation is a formation/corps of the South African Army.
Lt Col Mimy Matimbe is a gunner officer in the South African Army and was appointed as the first female Commanding Officer in the South African Army Artillery Formation when she took over command of 4 Artillery Regiment on 7 April 2017.
81 Armoured Brigade was a Formation of 8th Armoured Division, a combined arms force consisting of armour, mechanised infantry, and mechanised artillery.
73 Motorised Brigade was a Formation of 7th Infantry Division, a combined arms force consisting of infantry, armour and artillery.
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