Armed Forces Training College(AFTC)

ARMED FORCES TRAINING COLLEGE(AFTC)

Historical background

• In 1955 the college was started as a Training Centre for Kenya Regiment under the name Sgt Leakey Barracks.

• 1955 – 1960 became a fully flagged Training Centre.

• In 1962 the college was renamed Military training School for East Africa .

• In 1963 at independence, it was renamed Lanet Barracks.

• In 1964 the first cadet officers graduated.

• In 1968 the college was restructured to become Armed Forces Training College.

• In 1969 Recruit Training School (RTS) was started as a wing with one division of AFTC.

• In 1983 RTS was expanded to two divisions.

• 1983 – 1985. Recruits Training was relocated to Moi Barracks (Eldoret).

• In 1988 RTS was established as a constituent School of AFTC .

• 1980 – 1988. The ideas of forming School of Combat (SOC) was mooted, conceived and implemented.

• In 1999 the first Junior Command Course (JCC) was started.

AFTC Organisation Chart

Role

To train Officer Cadets, men and women of the Armed Forces through the constituent schools.

Objectives

Deliver basic soldierly training of the highest standard to newly enlisted men and women.
Develop qualities of leadership character and intellect demanded of a military officer through military training and education.
Deliver progressive, individual, career and professional training to officers, warrant officers and SNCOs to prepare them for appointments in Grade Three Staff Regimental Administration and Drill and Duties.

General Service Officer Cadets Training

The General Service Officer Cadets training takes 20 months and the current syllabus consists of five terms. The first and the second term comprises the basic military course while the third and fifth comprise the advanced military course. Term four is Armed Forces Continuing Education Programme (AFCEP) interspersed with months of professional training.

The majority of the cadets are recruited directly from the civil sector in accordance with regulations laid down by the Department of Defence (DOD). Serving soldiers who have attained the equivalent academic qualifications and have demonstrated potential for leadership may be recommended through the chain of Command to the selection board.

The course has the capacity to accommodate cadets from friendly nations. The vacancies to be allotted are determined by DOD prior to the commencement of course. These foreign cadets are required to meet the college medical and physical standards prior to acceptance to the course but are not required to undergo the initial selection process. While undergoing the course, they are subject to the same training conditions applicable to the Kenyan counterparts and are also subject to the Armed Forces Act and the Laws of Kenya throughout their stay in the country.

The course objectives for the cadet training are target specific and are related to the three key training areas appropriate to the training needs of potential junior military leaders as follows:

Character Development

To convert a civilian into a soldier while cultivating professional pride, response to military command system individually, or as a member of a team; instill the ability to appreciate service discipline, customs, norms, values and traditions.
To develop an individual character traits (integrity, commitment, sense of responsibility, self-sacrifice and mutual trust) and potential for leadership so that at the end of the course he/she is able to act and react as an officer, think and communicate as a Commander in the Armed Forces.

Professional Training

To equip the cadets with the necessary skills to enable them perform competently as a soldier.
To familiarize the cadets with the roles of the Non Commissioned Officer Cadre in the Armed Forces, with emphasis on the responsibilities of a junior Non Commissioned Officer.
To equip cadets with the necessary professional knowledge skills and responsibilities of a junior commander in the Armed Forces.
To familiarize the cadets with the routine administrative functions and responsibilities within a unit.
To familiarize the cadets with the roles and structure of the Armed Forces.

Academic Development

To improve and broaden knowledge and skills among the officer.
Develop military officers to perform professional duties and other related tasks more effectively and efficiently.
Develop a reading culture and create awareness.
Develop interest in serial reading and develop capacity for research.
Develop ability to communicate effectively.
Develop critical analytical minds.
Apply knowledge and skills for the improvement of military service.
Develop officers who can adjust to different environments.

The scope of cadet training covers the following:

a. Military professional Training.

b. Methods of instructions.

c. Military Leadership, Command and Management.

d. Spiritual Values.

e. Military Science.

f. Minor Staff Duties.

g. Military Strategy.

h. Military History.

i. National and International Studies.

j. Economics.

K. Geography.

l. Environmental Science.

m. Philosophy, Law and Society.

n. General Psychology.

o. Accounting.

p. Communication Skills.

q. Mathematics.

r. Introduction to Computers.

s. Introduction to research methods.

t. Applied psychology.

u. Theory and practice of military thought.

v. Organization Theory.

w. National Environmental preparedness and management.

x. Conflict Resolution and Management.

y. Financial management.

International Students Issue

The College will train foreign students in combined or exclusive courses as approved by DOD in accordance with the memorandum of understanding between the Kenya Government and the foreign government. In the past AFTC has trained officers and cadets from Botswana , Malawi and Rwanda .

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