South African Army Engineer School

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The School of Engineers is part of the South African Army Engineer Formation, which provides combat engineering corps training and teaching to military officers and personnel as well as other Military Schools (Centre's of Excellence) throughout the South African National Defence Force. They are currently the only Military School in Southern Africa to formally present IEDD (Improvised Explosive Device Demolition).

Contents

School of Engineers
SANDF School of Engineers.jpg
South African Army Engineer School emblem
Active1969–current
CountryFlag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
BranchFlag of the South African Army.svg  South African Army
RoleEngineer training school
Part of South African Army Engineer Formation
Garrison/HQKroonstad, Free State

History

Origin

In 1946, an Engineer Training Wing was established at what was then the Military College, now the SA Army College. In 1964, the post of GSO2 Engineers was filled full-time by a Regular Force Officer. In 1948, the Wing was moved to Potchefstroom, where it became the Engineer Wing of the SA Army Artillery and SA School of Armour. In 1968, it was transferred to Kroonstad as the Engineer Training Centre. In 1969, it became the School of Engineers. [1] (subscription required)

Insignia

Previous insignia

SADF era Engineer School insignia SADF era Engineer School insignia.jpg
SADF era Engineer School insignia

Curriculum

South African Engineer Corps Training

Training

Basic skills of military engineers are taught to all students, which is focused on combat:

These modules are spread over 16 weeks of intensive training. Recruits arrive in September from their Basic Military Training at Infantry School where they are qualified as Infanteers and graduate in December, inducted into the Sappers family.

2nd phase Military Engineering Training (Specialization)

Recruits, who are now referred to as Sappers are then assigned to the following units for the various types of engineering disciplines:

Combat Engineering

South African Combat Engineering includes:

Constructing Infrastructure

The construction of roads, bridges, field defence and obstacles, water points, helipad construction, route reconnaissance, and erecting communication

Demolition of Infrastructure

Rigging, the use of explosives for the carrying out of demolitions, obstacle clearance and assault of fortifications.

Water Assault

Use of assault boats in obstacle crossings.

Operational Construction

Construction sappers are responsible for establishment of operational infrastructure for the South African Army, i.e. operational bases, roads and airfields. Functions include:

Other training

The School of Engineers runs about 100 training courses and many of the skills taught are directly relevant to the national economy.

Specific courses

See also

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References

  1. "Engineering News - Login". www.engineeringnews.co.za. Retrieved 2019-03-19.