Army Foundation College
| Army Foundation College Harrogate | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active |
1947–1996 (as the Army Apprentices School, Harrogate) 3 August 1998–to date |
| Country |
 United Kingdom |
| Branch |
 British Army |
| Role | Phase 1 Training Establishment |
| Size |
~1,300 soldiers under training ~500 permanent staff |
| Part of | Initial Training Group (ITG) |
| Location | Uniacke Barracks, Penny Pot Lane, Harrogate HG3 2SE |
| Motto | Trust, Courage, Team Spirit |
| Colours | Red, Yellow & Green |
| Commanders | |
| Commanding Officer | Lt Col Will Strickland |
The Army Foundation College is located in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. It is the only British Army Phase 1 establishment that delivers junior entry basic training (males and females aged between 16-17). Given the age of the junior soldiers and the comparatively greater time they have at the College, there is a far wider focus than simply military training (such as education, leadership and initiative training, adventurous training and sport and skill).[1]
History
The Royal Signals Apprentices School was established in Harrogate to provide of military and vocational training for the Royal Corps of Signals in 1947 and was renamed the Army Apprentices College in 1966.[2] It was still focussed on signals training when it closed in 1998.[2] It reopened as the Army Foundation College to provide training for a broader range of combat arms and services in September 1998.[2] The Association of Harrogate Apprentices was reformed in 1999.[3] The Army Foundation College was rebuilt by Jarvis under a Private finance initiative contract between 2000 and 2002.[2]
Training
There are two courses:[4]
- The Long Course: a 48 week programme (including 3 weeks holiday) for those joining the Infantry, Royal Armoured Corps / Household Cavalry, Royal Artillery and some Royal Logistic Corps roles. There are 2 different entry points and graduations per year - September and March entry points with August and February graduations respectively.
- The Short Course: a 23 week programme (including 3 weeks holiday) for those joining Corps and Regiments with longer Phase 2 training. These are the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Royal Engineers, Royal Signals, Royal Army Medical Corps, Army Air Corps and some Royal Logistic Corps roles. There are 2 different entry points and graduations per year - September and March entry points with August and February graduation respectively.
See also
- Association of Harrogate Apprentices – includes a general history of Uniacke Barracks
- Selection and Training in the British Army
References
- ↑ "Army Foundation College Harrogate - Regiment History, War & Military Records & Archives". www.forces-war-records.co.uk. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 "Army Foundation College, Harrogate – History" (PDF). Method Publishing. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
- ↑ Colonel Cliff Walters. Army apprentices Harrogate. halsgrove. p. 156. ISBN 1 84114 2182.
- ↑ "British Army Phase 1: Initial Military Training". Boot Camp and Military Fitness Institute. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
External links
- Army Foundation College, Harrogate - on British Army official website
- Lieutenant General Sir Herbert Uniacke KCB KCMG
Coordinates: 53°59′38″N 1°35′51″W / 53.9939°N 1.5974°W