Education does not stop when the Army deploys on operations. Wherever possible, we continue to deliver the same range of educational services as those in the UK and Germany.  This includes officer and soldier promotion courses, Basic Skills advice and assistance, language support, personal development courses (mainly through e-learning) and basic resettlement advice.
Serving personnel can choose to go to Theatre Education Centres, their Operational Unit Education Officers or attached ETS Officers for help in their ongoing education while deployed.

Theatre Education Centres

Theatre Education Centres (TECs) are set up wherever the Army needs them. Currently there are TECs in Iraq and in both Kandahar and Camp Bastion. They deliver a full range of courses and development opportunities for personnel on operation.

Specialist staff to support your education

Currently specialist staff (known as Operational Unit Education Officers (Op UEOs)) are deployed with Infantry Battle Groups in Iraq and Afghanistan. Their main roles are to provide educational support to their unit and to deliver basic skills support, language training and Cultural Capability training.

In addition, dependent on the operational situation, they may be given other tasks by their Commanding Officers such as assisting with psychological, media or influence ops. They will usually be part of their Battle Group for a period of up to a year - 6 months prior to the operational deployment and 6 months on operations.

Languages and Cultural Capability

Languages are key to successful modern military operations.  ETS officers provide basic pre-deployment language training and Cultural Capability training to those about to deploy to places such as Iraq and Afghanistan.  The ability to speak to the local population in their own language is an invaluable asset and knowledge of the local language and the local customs can make a significant difference to the success of an operation.

The Army has a particular need for language skills in Arabic, Pashtu and Dari/Farsi amongst others and training in these languages varies between basic and advanced (interpreter) levels.  Once trained, a soldier will use his language skills in his day-to-day job in barracks or, if on operations, to assist the commander in achieving his mission.  ETS officers are able to provide advice on the language training requirement and liaise closely with the Defence School of Languages on the coordination of its training.