Defence Services Command and Staff College

Defence Services Command and Staff College - Sri Lanka
Former names
 Army Command and Staff College - Sri Lanka
Motto "To War With Wisdom and Knowledge"
Type Military Staff College
Established 1 January 1997
Commandant Major General G V D U A Perera RWP RSP VSV USP USAWC M.Sc.(Ind) M.Sc.(USA) NDU-CT(USA) psc(SL) psc(Ind)
Location Sapugaskanda, Makola South, WP, Sri Lanka

The Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) is situated at Batalanda, Makola (South) 12 Kilometers away from Colombo and its aim to develop the professional knowledge and understanding of experienced officers of the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy & the Sri Lanka Air Force to prepare them for the ranks of junior field officers in the army and the respective ranks of the Navy and Air force. The DSCSC was formally known as the Sri Lanka Army Command and Staff College (ACSC).

The Commandant is a two-star appointment and the current Commandant of the DSCSC is Major General G V D U A Perera RWP RSP VSV USP USAWC M.Sc.(Ind) M.Sc.(USA) NDU-CT(USA) psc(SL) psc(Ind).[1]

Objectives

The above aim is met through addressing six principal objectives, which are as follows:

History

The Army Command and Staff College (ACSC) was inaugurated on 16 March 1998 with the first course consisting of 26 Student Officers. However, the College was officially inaugurated on the 28th of August 1998 by the former President Her Excellency Mrs Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumarathunga on a request made by then Commander of the Army, Lt Gen R De S Daluwatte WWV RWP RSP VSV USP LOM ndc psc.

At the inception, a British Army Training Team consisting of two Lieutenant Colonels was attached, in order to assist the Faculty to formulate a curriculum similar to the British Army Command and Staff College, but with emphasis on our own requirements. They extended a yeomen service from the outset to get our ACSC established, by providing required training material and fine tuning our teaching skills. The faculty was driven through an ‘on the job’ Training Programme.

The ACSC was established with the aim of developing the professional knowledge and understanding of selected Student Officers both in Command and on the Staff, for the Sri Lanka Army. However, a few selected Student Officers from the Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force too were trained on Army Command and Staff aspects from ACSC Course No 1 onwards. During the 9 years of ACSC (1998-2006), the College produced 253 graduates, of whom 207 were from the Army, 22 were from the Navy, 21 from the Air Force and one from the Police. This was in contrast to 58 ‘Staff Qualified Graduates’ available in the Sri Lanka Army, in the year 1996. The change from ACSC to DSCSC could be perceived as an indication shown from the very inception on the importance of a Joint Services atmosphere. Moreover, the efforts of all military arms was felt imperative to be joint, in order to combat our adversary. Military Operations in an isolation had never paid us required dividends. Furthermore, changing tactics of our adversaries compelled us to revise our doctrines in war fighting, thus setting conditions for a sound ‘Joint environment’.

Inauguration of DSCSC

22 January 2007 was definitely an important milestone in the history of our Armed Forces, where all military doctrinal and strategic level planning and teachings were brought under one roof, as practiced by many other Armed Forces of the world. To add value to the ceremony, the function was graced by the Secretary to His Excellency the President, Mr. Lalith Weeratunga who was the Chief Guest.

DSCSC Course No 1 commenced immediately after the inauguration ceremony with 36 Student Officers from the Army, 8 Student Officers from the Navy and 10 Student Officers from the Air Force registering for the first course.

The Student Officers from respective Services are functioning under three wings namely Army, Navy and Air, with greater emphasis on Joint Environment.

The Course

The DSCSC course sets out to train officers in basic command and staff techniques, but just as important, it aims to develop the intellectual attributes to cope with their future appointments and the changes that are inevitable in the years ahead. By this process we seek to develop their breadth of understanding and their ability to analyse and evaluate issues in a logical sequence.

The training course at the DSCSC runs for a duration of 11 months. The course is meant for Army, Navy and air force field/senior officers in the ranks of Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Lieutenant Commander, Commander, Squadron Leader and Wing Commander. Officers who are recommended by their Regiments & services for the course have to sit for a competitive entrance examination, after which a board of senior officers make final selections.

Upon completion of the DSCSC course, officers can use the post nominal letters psc.

Course contain and duration

Orientation Module (3 Weeks)

Term 1 - Foundation Studies (10 Weeks)

Term 2 - Operations of War (17 Weeks)

Term 3 - Joint Operations and Operations Other Than War (11 Weeks)

Term 4 - Management and Technology (11 Weeks)

Facilities

Library

The DSCSC library comprises 3 sections; the Reference Library, Lending Library and Pamphlet Room. The Reference Library is open daily and contains both general and military reference material and periodicals. The Lending Library is open during weekdays; this is principally a military library with a small collection of books and periodicals of general interest. However the college is making arrangements to enhance its collection of books through purchases and donations.

Auditorium

Most central lectures and briefings are conducted in the auditorium, which has modern audio visual aid for the conduct of such activity. This auditorium is temporarily housed at its present location awaiting completion of construction work of a more spacious and modern premises.

Computer Laboratory

The DSCSC provides computer training to students during the Orientation module, with the aim of introducing them to the modern IT Environment. Basic applications such as Operating Systems, Microsoft Office applications, Hardware, Networking and the use of internet & Email are the part of the training.

Sports and Recreational Facilities

All student officers are encouraged to actively participate in sports and other extra curricular activities during their stay at the DSCSC. Student officers will have to qualify in the Staff College Physical Assessment tests conducted every term. The following sports facilities are available in the College. Student officers also make use of the facilities available at the Sugathadasa National Indoor Complex.

Commandants

The following have commanded the college:

See also

References

  1. ↑ Cof N addresses the Student Officers of Defence Services Command and Staff College
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