Background and Introduction

As a part of the process to implement the recommendations of the first Defence House of Commons and Adult Learning Inspectorate (DHALI) report, the Adjutant General tasked the Director General Army Training and Recruiting to establish Independent Advisory Panels (IAPs) across the Army's Training Establishments.

Aim

The aim of the IAP is to provide an independent, non-statutory source of Advice, Challenge, Encouragement and Support (ACES) to the training establishment in order to exchange information, provide feedback and assist in identifying possible areas for improvement.

Roles

The IAP has the following roles:

1. To act as a conduit for external communication for the training establishment to de-mystify the Army's individual training organisation and promote the Army's and training establishment's reputations locally.
2. To act as a source of local feedback on local issues.
3. To act as a 'sounding board'. They will support and challenge the training centre by providing advice and encouragement on particular issues (both local and national) raised by the Commanding Officers on an as required basis.

Limitations

The IAP will not override the fundamental Army principle of self-regulation vested in the commanding officer and the higher chain of command. They will have no responsibility for budgets, objective setting, policy or staff selection.

Frequency

The IAP is asked to meet three times a year; in fact it will meet a lot more than this as it develops - group meetings, probably four times a year and individual activity visits three to four times a year in addition.