Infantry Battle School, Brecon
The Infantry Battle School (IBS) in Brecon, Mid-Wales, delivers trained officers and soldiers to meet the operational requirements of the Infantry, the Army and Defence.
Infantrymen on operations do extraordinary things in difficult and dangerous circumstances. The commanders that lead them are all trained at IBS, and the training they undertake is linked to current operations.
Training for high-intensity, light-role war fighting is the way soldiers and officers are prepared for any operational situation they may face – conventional war, counter insurgency, security sector reform, peacekeeping or supporting civil authorities.
IBS delivers competent and confident commanders for the Field Army by running command and leadership training, infantry tactics training, weapons training, and live firing range qualifications. It also provides specialist training teams to assist foreign forces in their development, and allocates some places on courses to overseas students.
All courses are delivered by four distinct divisions within IBS – the Platoon Commanders’ Division, Senior Division, Junior Division and Infantry Weapons’ Division.
Courses run at IBS
- Live Fire Tactical Training Course
- All Arms Skill At Arms Instructor Course
- All Arms Range Management Course
- Urban Operator Instructor Course
- Close Quarter Battle Instructor Course
- Dismounted Close Combat Trainer
- Platoon Commanders’ Battle Course
- Platoon Sergeants’ Battle Course
- Section Commanders’ Battle Course
Live Fire Tactical Training Course
This is aimed at Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers from across the Army, to qualify them in planning and conducting live firing ranges.
All Arms Skill At Arms Instructor Course and Range Management Course
These courses are designed to qualify Non-Commissioned Officers from across the Army in becoming weapon instructors and conducting static small arms ranges.
Urban and CQB Instructor Course
The UOIC and CQBI courses provide junior and senior NCOs and Officers from across the Army with bespoke instructor qualifications allowing them to deliver advanced tactical training for their units. Students must complete DTTT prior to either course.
Dismounted Close Combat Trainer
This course is designed to qualify officers and NCOs, from across the Arms and Services, in operating and conducting training in the Dismounted Close Combat Trainer (DCCT). Thirteen DCCT courses are run each year, with a capacity of six students on each course.
Platoon Commanders’ Battle Course
This course focuses on producing tactically capable Platoon Commanders who are physically and mentally robust. Usually (though not exclusively) the Platoon Commanders’ Battle Course is completed immediately after commissioning from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS).
The course is broken down into two distinct phases – the Tactics phase and the Live Fire Tactical Training (LFTT) phase.
Platoon Sergeants’ Battle Course
The Platoon Sergeants’ Battle Course (PSBC) is a promotion qualifying-course, to Sergeant, for Rifle Company Platoon Sergeants. The course is run in January, April and August each year, and is broken down into two independent phases: Live Firing Tactical Training (LFTT) and Tactics.
The Tactics phase of the course is seven weeks long, and delivered by Senior Division Instructors. The course is split into platoons with Colour Sergeant Instructors with each section. An Infantry Captain oversees the platoon’s training.
Section Commanders’ Battle Course
The Section Commanders’ Battle Course is a promotion-qualifying course to substantive Corporal for all Rifle Company Section Commanders. The course is broken down into two phases: Skill at Arms and Tactics.
Accommodation
Accommodation is available at the Infantry Battle School for students attending courses and comprises the Officers’ Mess, the Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess and the Junior Non-Commissioned Officers’ Mess.
Single rooms are available with either shared bathroom or en-suite facilities.
Welfare
Community Centre
The Community Centre on the Infantry Battle School (IBS) camp holds regular events.
HIVE
The HIVE information service at IBS also serves Brynmawr, Crickhowell and Sennybridge.
HIVE works for the Armed Forces worldwide and takes pride in delivering the right information at the right time. Clients include Service personnel, Ministry of Defence (MOD) personnel and their dependants. Communicating through the Internet, HIVE can deliver information quickly and efficiently.
How to find us
By car
The easiest way to travel to Brecon is by road. The postcode for satnav users (which should not be solely relied upon) is LD3 7RA.
By train
Rail travel to Brecon is difficult. However, the nearest railway station is Abergavenny – from the station you will then need to travel by road to Brecon which takes about 25 minutes.
By air
There are two international airports close to Brecon – Cardiff and Bristol. London Heathrow and London Gatwick are approximately 3½ to 4 hours travelling time from Brecon.
Postal address
Infantry Battle School
Dering Lines
Brecon
Powys
LD3 7RA
