Royal Military Academy Sandhurst

New Colours are presented to RMAS, June 2005. HRH Prince Harry of Wales (at left) is on parade.

New College buildings of Royal Military Academy Sandhurst

The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS), commonly known simply as Sandhurst, is the British Army officer initial training centre located adjacent to the village of Sandhurst, Berkshire, about 55 kilometres (34 mi) southwest of London. The Academy's stated aim is to be "the national centre of excellence for leadership." All British Army officers, including late entry officers who were previously Warrant Officers, as well as many from elsewhere in the world, are trained at Sandhurst. The Academy is the British Army equivalent of the Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth, Royal Air Force College Cranwell and the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines.

Training at Sandhurst was the subject of a three part television series, first broadcast by the BBC in October, 2011 (rebroadcast in April 2012).

Location[link]

Sandhurst straddles the counties of Berkshire and Surrey; the county border marked by a small stream known as the Wish Stream, after which the Academy journal is named. Primarily, the Academy is situated in College Town, a suburb of Sandhurst, and partly in the outer region of Camberley town. The nearest railway station is Blackwater, Hampshire.

History[link]

Royal Military College cricket grounds, Sandhurst, ca. 1895

Old College Royal Military Academy Sandhurst UK

The roots of the present Royal Military College (RMC) lie in three separate institutions. A Military College was established at Woolwich (a district now absorbed into south-east London) in 1720 to train cadets for commissions in the Royal Artillery, being granted Royal status in 1841 and moving to a permanent location at Woolwich Common in 1806, subsequently known as the "Shop". At this time, the Royal Military College also took on the training of Royal Engineers officer cadets and, later, Royal Signals cadets. Secondly, in 1799, a school for staff officers was established at High Wycombe and in 1801 it became the Senior Department of the Royal Military College.^[1]

The concept of the Royal Military College was the brainchild of John Le Marchant.^[2] He opened the Junior Department of the College at West Street in Marlow^[3] in 1802.^[4], to train "Gentleman Cadets" for the infantry, cavalry and Indian Army^[1]. (Coincidentally, this was the same year as both Saint-Cyr^[5] and West Point were founded.^[6]) The Junior Department moved from Marlow in 1813, into the present buildings designed by James Wyatt at Sandhurst.^[7] A few years later, the Junior Department was joined at Sandhurst from High Wycombe by the Senior Department, which in 1858 became a separate institution, the Staff College^[1].

On the outbreak of the Second World War, Sandhurst became the home of 161 Infantry Officer Cadet Training Unit (RMC), which moved to Mons Barracks, Aldershot in 1942; for the rest of the war Sandhurst was used as a Royal Armoured Corps Officer Cadet Training Unit (OCTU).^[8]

The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst was formed in 1947 on the site of the former Royal Military College at Sandhurst from a merger between the Royal Military Academy in Woolwich (which trained officers for the Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers from 1741 to 1939) and the Royal Military College (1802 to 1939).^[9] Following the ending of National Service in the UK and the closing of the Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot (which had trained Short Service Commissioned Officers) in 1972, the RMAS became the sole establishment for male initial officer training in the British Army.^[10] In 1984, the Women's Officer Training College Bagshot moved to Sandhurst and in 1992 a new Commissioning Course finally unified the training of male, female and foreign cadets^[1].

The Wellington Room after Arthur Wellesley showing a depiction of Waterloo and his bust - RMAS Collection

Marlborough Room showing tryptych on leather of the Battle of Blenheim by Horensburg RMAS Collection

The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst Collection shows the history of the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, The Royal Military College and the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. The collection includes the Royal Military Academy's Gentlemen Cadet registers, historic archive, uniforms, paintings, photographs and other artefacts.^[11]

For the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, the Academy hosted the running part of the modern pentathlon competition.^[12]

Selection[link]

Potential officers are identified by the Army Officer Selection Board (formerly the Regular Commissions Board, or RCB) situated in Westbury in Wiltshire.^[13] Nearly 10 percent of British cadets are female and nearly 10 percent of all cadets come from overseas. Eighty-five percent of entrants are university graduates although it is not required.^[14] Some officer cadets are serving soldiers. Technically, all cadets have the rank of private, but all are formally addressed as "Sir" or "Ma'am".

Courses[link]

Sandhurst develops leadership in cadets by expanding their character, intellect and professional competences to a level demanded of an Army Officer on first appointment through military training and education.^[15] The course is accredited by various academic and professional institutions.^[15] The Commissioning Course lasts 44 weeks and must be successfully completed by all British regular army officers (with some exceptions) before they receive their commission. It is usually followed by further training courses specific to the Regiment or Corps in which the officer will serve.

There are two shorter commissioning courses. One is for professionally qualified officers (e.g., doctors, dentists, nurses, lawyers, pharmacists, vets and chaplains).^[16] The second short course is Module 4 of the Territorial Army (TA) Commissioning Course (TACC), which lasts three weeks. The TACC consists of four training modules; the first three are conducted under the supervision of RMAS at TA Regional Training Centres, with Module 4 of the Officers' training and assessment being conducted at Sandhurst. This training typically takes 2 years to complete. Upon completion, Officer Cadets become Second Lieutenants in the TA or Officer Training Corps (OTC).^[17] Each year, approximately 140 candidates undertake each of these two short courses^[1].

Sandhurst also runs a variety of other courses for officers including the Late Entry Officer Course (LEOC).^[18]

RMAS has a renowned academic faculty staffed by civilian researchers with expertise in Communication and Applied Behavioural Science, Defence and International Affairs and War Studies.^[19]

Unlike some other national military academies such as West Point in the United States and the École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr in France, Sandhurst is not a university.^[20]

Organisation[link]

In overall command of the RMAS is the Commandant of the Academy, usually an officer of Major General rank. The commissioning course is split up into three terms, each lasting fourteen weeks (referred to as the Junior, Intermediate and Senior Divisions, identified by differently coloured lanyards). Basic army training is covered in the first five weeks which, by reputation, are the most gruelling (cadets' families are encouraged to support the cadets' morale by maintaining home contacts). The main RMAS Commissioning Courses start in January, May and September of each year. Each intake numbers approximately 270 cadets, each of whom is assigned to a platoon within one of three companies. Platoons are commanded by captains, with a colour sergeant who takes the main burden of day-to-day training, especially during the first term (unlike West Point, RMAS entrusts the majority of officer training to Senior Non-Commissioned Officers). There can be as many as ten companies within the RMAS at any one time, each commanded by a Major and named after a famous battle or campaign in which the British Army has fought. The company names have changed over the years, and are currently :^[21]

• Gaza Company
• The Somme Company
• Ypres Company
• Alamein Company
• Burma Company
• Normandy Company
• The Falklands Company
• Imjin Company
• Malaya Company
• Blenheim Company
• Waterloo Company
• Inkerman Company
• Dettingen Company — the Short Courses mentioned above (for Territorial Army and Professionally Qualified Officers) are operated sequentially, and are each known as "Dettingen Company".

Dettingen Company is divided along the same lines as the regular intakes, though smaller courses may consist of only two platoons.

There is also a "rehabilitation" platoon — Lucknow Platoon. It looks after cadets who are injured during training, with a view to preparing them to re-enter the commissioning course or processing those who are medically discharged.

Cadets who fail to meet the required standard, or who have been injured, may be "back-termed", that is, "asked" to repeat the previous term and joining a later intake, or to repeat the whole course.

Cadets nominate two regiments or corps that they seek to join, although in practice this may be influenced by their instructors, if particular strengths or weaknesses or aptitudes are seen to be important. In the middle term, interviews are held and final selections are made by the recruiting regiments and corps; there is competition for strong cadets by the units and, conversely, by cadets for prestigious or specialised units. Exceptionally, some cadets may have confirmed places in regiments before the formal selections or even before starting at Sandhurst.

Regular Army[link]

Open Day at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst

A small number of regular army units are based at the RMAS to provide support for the colleges and their training:

• Gurkha Demonstration Company (Sittang): this is a company-sized unit drawn from all units of the Brigade of Gurkhas, to provide an opposing force in battle training for the cadets.
• 44 Support Squadron, Royal Logistic Corps: this is the RMAS's permanently based transport, logistic and signals support unit.
• Until 1984, the RMAS had its own band - The RMAS Band Corps,^[22] the smallest Regiment in the British Army. Music is now provided by a variety of Corps of Army Music bands on rotation.

Sovereign's Parade[link]

The first Sovereign's Parade was performed on 14 July 1948, in front of King George VI. Three Sovereign's Parades are held each year outside the Old College to mark the "passing-out" and the final parade at Sandhurst of the Senior Division. All cadets, except for those who have been back-termed through injury or other reasons, are inspected by the Sovereign (or her representative), participate in the Trooping the Colour and parade past the Sovereign (or her representative) and guests. Guests consist of invited dignitaries and friends and families of the graduating cadets.^[1]

During Trooping the Colour, the Colour is escorted by the Sovereign's Platoon, which has been selected on merit from the Senior Division. The Sovereign's Platoon wears multi-coloured lanyards, using the colours of all three Divisions.

At the end of the Parade, the Colours and the Senior Division leave the parade ground via the Grand Steps of the Old College building. They are followed by the College Adjutant, on horseback (the origins of this tradition are unclear).^[1]

Awards[link]

Each Commissioning Course has awards granted to outstanding cadets.^[23] The following awards are presented during the Sovereign's Parade. Others are merely listed in the Parade programme. A system of Cadet Government also recognises merit by the appointment of Senior Under Officers, Junior Under Officers, Cadet Sergeants and Cadet Corporals.^[1]

Sword of Honour[link]

The Sword of Honour is awarded to the British Army Officer Cadet considered by the Commandant to be, overall, the best of the course. The swords were formerly made by Wilkinson Sword but after the closure of their sword making division they are now presented by Pooley Sword who also present swords for the Royal Marines and Royal Air Force. During the Second World War, when abbreviated courses were run to increase the supply of new officers, a Belt of Honour was awarded instead.

Queen's Medal[link]

The Queen's Medal is awarded to the British Army Officer Cadet who achieved the highest scores in military, practical and academic studies.

Royal Memorial Chapel south aspect Royal Military Academy Sandhurst UK

Overseas Sword[link]

The Overseas Sword is awarded to one of the many cadets sent by foreign armies. The Overseas Sword goes to the Overseas Cadet considered by the Commandant to be the best of the course. It was previously known as the Overseas Cane.

Duke of Westminster's Sword[link]

The Duke of Westminster's Sword is awarded to the officer cadet considered by the Commandant to be, overall, the best of the TA Commissioning Course. This sword is also donated by Pooley Sword.

Alumni[link]

For more information, see List of alumni of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and the category: Graduates of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

Chapel[link]

There are two Chapels within the Academy, The Roman Catholic Chapel (Christ the King) and The Royal Memorial Chapel, dedicated as Christ Church, which also contains the South Africa Chapel, which was originally the sanctuary of the second Chapel before the it was enlarged. The original chapel was what is now known as the Indian Army Memorial Room. The Royal Engineers designed the original Chapel, which features red brick, terracotta moulding, interlocking pediment copies and corbels in 1879. The Chapel was dedicated by King George VI on 2 May 1937, after architect Captain Arthur C. Martin enlarged the building in a Byzantine style. The Memorial stained glass and Windows in the chapel honour the Brigade of Guards; Rifle Brigade; Royal Fusiliers, Hampshire Regiment etc. Some memorials, including one honouring alumni of the US Military Academy at West Point, are carved into the black marble flooring.^[24] On panels devoted to the particular campaigns in which they lost their lives, are the names of ex-cadets killed in action. At intervals above the panels are circular tablets to the memory of College Governors. The names of ex-cadets who have died on active service in the field, or elsewhere are listed in the spaces between the panels. Other tablets on the walls of the porch of the Church were moved there from the old Chapel. At the nave near the chancel steps, old Regimental colours hang from the pillars.^[25]

• 

  Chapel, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst 1900

• 

  Interior of Chapel, Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst 1900

• Dedication to General G T C Carter-Campbell at Sandhurst.jpg

  The dedication to General Carter-Campbell in The Royal Memorial Chapel at Sandhurst

• 

  Royal Memorial Chapel portico Royal Military Academy Sandhurst UK

A Government-approved Partnering Agreement[link]

Sandhurst has a unique partnering agreement with the 'Inspirational Development Group' (IDG), providing professional training for civilian organisations. IDG is based in Old College at Sandhurst. They offer a range of bespoke Leadership Development programmes focussing on the interlocking areas of Leadership, Followership and Partnership, to produce accomplished leaders who are also effective followers and highly skilled team players.^[26]

See also[link]

• List of Governors and Commandants of Sandhurst

Lineage[link]

See also[link]

• Sandhurst Competition

References[link]

Notes[link]

Bibliography[link]

• Mockler-Ferryman, A. F. Annals of Sandhurst: A Chronicle of the Royal Military College From Its Foundation to the Present. Whitefish, Montana: Kessinger Publishing, 2007 (reprint; original 1900). ISBN 1-4326-6558-8.
• Thomas, Hugh, 1931- The story of Sandhurst London, Hutchinson 1961
• Christchurch the Chapel of The Royal Military College: Enlarged and Beautified to the Glory of God and in memory of The Sandhurst Cadets who have died in the service of their country Gale & Polden Ltd, Aldershot, 1937.

External links[link]

	Berkshire portal
	Military history portal
	United Kingdom portal

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Royal Military Academy Sandhurst

• Royal Military Academy Sandhurst website
• Royal Military Academy Sandhurst Foundation :includes virtual tour and photograph Gallery
• Army Officer Selection Board

Coordinates: 51°20′26″N 0°46′07″W / 51.340532°N 0.7687°W / 51.340532; -0.7687

v t e Initial officer training establishments of the British Armed Forces  Britannia Royal Naval College  ·  Commando Training Centre Royal Marines  Royal Military Academy Sandhurst  ·  RAF College Cranwell

v t e Olympic venues in modern pentathlon 1912: Barkarby, Djurgårdsbrunnsviken, Kaknäs, Östermalm Athletic Grounds, Stockholm Olympic Stadium • 1920: Olympisch Stadion • 1924: Fontainebleau, Le Stand de Tir de Versailles, Piscine des Tourelles, Stade de Colombes • 1928: Amersfoort, Hilversum, Olympic Sports Park Swim Stadium, Schemzaal, Zeeburg Shooting Grounds • 1932: 160th Regiment State Armory, Los Angeles Police Pistol Range, Riviera Country Club, Sunset Fields Golf Club, Swimming Stadium • 1936: Döberitz, Haus des Deutschen Sports, Olympic Swimming Stadium, Ruhleben, Wannsee Golf Course • 1948: Aldershot, Bisley National Rifle Association Ranges, Royal Military Academy • 1952: Hämeenlinna • 1956: Oaklands Hunt Club, Royal Exhibition Building, Swimming/Diving Stadium, Williamstown • 1960: Acqua Santa Golf Club Course, Palazzo dei Congressi, Passo Corese, Stadio Olimpico del Nuoto, Umberto I Shooting Range • 1964: Asaka Nezu Park, Asaka Shooting Range, Kemigawa, National Gymnasium, Waseda Memorial Hall • 1968: Campo Militar 1, Fernando Montes de Oca Fencing Hall, Francisco Márquez Olympic Pool, Vincente Suárez Shooting Range • 1972: Messegelände Fechthalle 2, Olympiastadion, Riding Facility, Riem; Schießanlage, Schwimmhalle • 1976: Montreal Botanical Garden, Olympic Equestrian Centre, Bromont; Olympic Pool, Olympic Shooting Range, L'Acadie; Winter Stadium, Université de Montréal • 1980: CSKA Football Fieldhouse, Dynamo Shooting Range, Swimming Pool - Olimpisky, Trade Unions' Equestrian Complex • 1984: Coto de Caza, Heritage Park Aquatic Center • 1988: Jamsil Indoor Swimming Pool, Mongchon Tosong, Olympic Fencing Gymnasium, Seoul Equestrian Park, Taenung International Shooting Range • 1992: Cross-country course, Mollet del Vallès Shooting Range, Palau de la Metal·lúrgia, Piscines Bernat Picornell, Real Club de Polo de Barcelona • 1996: Georgia International Horse Park, Georgia Tech Aquatic Center, Georgia World Congress Center • 2000: Sydney Baseball Stadium, Sydney International Aquatic Centre, The Dome and Exhibition Complex • 2004: Olympic Modern Pentathlon Centre • 2008: Olympic Green Convention Center, Olympic Sports Centre, Ying Tung Natatorium • 2012: Aquatics Centre, Greenwich Park, Copper Box, Royal Artillery Barracks • 2016: Deodoro Modern Pentathlon Park

Royal Military Academy has been the name of two different institutions of the British Army.

• Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, established in 1741 and closed in 1939
• Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, established in 1947

Other countries:

• Royal Military Academy (Belgium), the military university of Belgium.
• Royal Military Academy (Jordan), the military university of the Kingdom of Jordan.
• Royal Military Academy (Netherlands), the military university of the Netherlands.

This disambiguation page lists articles about schools, colleges, or other educational institutions which are associated with the same title. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.

This disambiguation page lists articles about military units and formations which are associated with the same title. If an internal link referred you to this page, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.

Ahmed Raza (October 10, 1988) is a Pakistani-born United Arab Emirates cricketer who currently plays for the United Arab Emirates. Raza is a left-handed batsman who bowls slow left-arm orthodox.

Raza made his List-A debut against India A in 2006. In 2007 Raza made his first-class debut against Scotland in the 2006 ICC Intercontinental Cup and has since gone on to represent the UAE in six first class matches. In the 2009 ACC Twenty20 Cup Raza was the UAE's joint leading wicket taker with twelve wickets along with Moiz Shahid.

External links[link]

• Ahmed Raza on CricketArchive

This biographical article related to United Arab Emirati cricket is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

The Canada First movement was organized in Ottawa in 1868. It was at first supported by Goldwin Smith and Edward Blake. Ontario residents, George Denison, Charles Mair, William Foster and Robert Grant Haliburton founded the movement.^[1]

John Christian Schultz, Canadian Party founder, became a leading member of the Canadian Party and was a chief opponent of Louis Riel.^[2][3]

In 1874 they first published "The Nation", a weekly journal based in Toronto.

References[link]