Specialist Weapons School, Warminster
The Specialist Weapons School’s (SWS) mission is to train the required number of Officers and Soldiers to the appropriate standard, in order to support the operational requirements of the Infantry and Defence.
Based at Waterloo Lines in Warminster, the SWS comprises two Training Divisions and Training Support Company.
It also provides oversight to Communication Information Systems (CIS) and Assault Pioneer (AP) Training for Infantrymen at the Combat CIS School, Bovington and the Royal Engineer Warfare Wing delivered training for Assault Pioneers.
The Specialist Weapons School’s (SWS) mission is to train the required number of Officers and Soldiers to the appropriate standard, in order to support the operational requirements of the Infantry and Defence.
While most students at the school are from across the Infantry, the SWS trains personnel from other Arms and Services. Over the past few years, students from the Royal Armoured Corps, Royal Marines and RAF Regiment, as well as a number of overseas students, have been trained at SWS.
Based at Waterloo Lines in Warminster, the SWS comprises two Training Divisions and Training Support Company.
It also provides oversight to Communication Information Systems (CIS) and Assault Pioneer (AP) Training for Infantrymen at the Combat CIS School, Bovington and the Royal Engineer Warfare Wing delivered training for Assault Pioneers.
- Direct Fire Support Division (Anti-Tanks, Machine Guns and Snipers)
- Mortar Division
- Training Support Company
- Communications Information Systems Division
- Assault Pioneer Division
Most SWS courses are promotion-qualifying career courses and as such, all the Divisions train command, control and leadership at all levels in all specialities.
Communication Information Systems (CIS) Division
It’s widely accepted that, without communications, even the most organised and well-disciplined force will grind to a halt. Without communications we are unable to direct resources, including manpower, to where they are required.
We are also very much in the dark as to what the enemy are doing if we cannot communicate. As such, training in communications has to be of the highest quality. It should be emphasised that all Communication Information Systems courses are tactical as well as technical courses.
Direct Fire Support Division
Direct Fire Support Division is a part of Specialist Weapons School. The Division comprises three wings that concentrate on running command courses in their different disciplines.
- Machine Gun Wing
- Anti-Tank Wing
- Sniper Wing
Each wing is commanded by at least one Captain and manned by WOs and CSgts selected as instructors from the field army. The courses run by the Division are designed to train individual Officers and NCOs to their role performance standard which is set by Army HQ.
Mortar Division
The 81mm mortar provides essential indirect fire support to a Battle Group. It is the only guaranteed indirect fire asset that the Battle Group Commander will have and can be used in a wide range of operations.
Mortaring is a technical and demanding skill which requires well-trained and practiced mortar men and commanders who can appreciate and understand the battle at all levels.
Assault Pioneer Division
The Infantry Assault Soldier/Pioneer conveys unique skills to the battlefield, he is able to provide mobility, counter mobility and survivability to his Battalion.
He is just as adept in providing his unit with water as he is with handling explosives, building a bridge or fortifying defensive positions.
Training Support Company
Training Support Company is a part of Specialist Weapons School. The Company comprises of four Platoons that concentrate on supporting all command courses in their different disciplines, within Waterloo Lines.
- B+E Drivers and Signallers
- C+E Drivers
- Assault Pioneers
- Communication Planning & Crypto Material management
Each Platoon is commanded by at least one WO2 and manned by Sgts and CSgts selected as SMEs from the Field Army.
Accommodation
The quality and type of soldier accommodation on site varies. There are both old and new accommodation blocks, but an on-going process of redevelopment is underway that will eventually see all accommodation brought up to the most modern standard.
Rooms are either shared, with shared ablutions, or in the single living (SLAM) format – individual rooms with en-suite bathrooms.
Welfare
Welfare Support
The task of the Waterloo Lines Welfare Support Team is to provide a comprehensive. professional and confidential welfare support service that is responsive to the needs of individuals, families and the chain of command, in order to maximise the operational effectiveness of servicemen and women.
Chaplaincy support
The task of the Royal Army Chaplains’ Department is to meet the spiritual, moral and pastoral needs of the Army.
How to find us
By car
The postcode for satnav users (which should not be solely relied upon) is BA12 0DJ.
By train
The nearest railway station is Warminster through which First Great Western operates a regular rail service. There is a taxi rank outside the station for your onward journey to SWS.
Postal address
Specialist Weapons School
Waterloo Lines
Imber Road
Warminster
Wiltshire
BA12 0DJ
