School of Infantry and Tactics
History
After independence from British rule, the Infantry School was established at Kakul in 1947. Colonel N J G Jones, MBE was appointed the first Commandant of the School on 12 January 1948. The School was moved to its present location at Quetta in 1948 and was assigned the responsibility of weapons training only. Tactical training was organized under the Command and Staff College Quetta.
The Institution continued to function as "INFANTRY SCHOOL" till the end of 1956. In January 1957, the School was reorganized and the tactical wing from the Command and Staff College was amalgamated in it. Consequently, the School was renamed as "THE SCHOOL OF INFANTRY AND TACTICS".
In 1981 a Research and Development Wing was added to the School. The wing is responsible for conducting trials on infantry weapon systems, reviews, tactical doctrines and updating all military publications. Since its inception this wing has made substantial contributions to the Army in general and the School in particular.
When Pakistan began participating more effectively in United Nation Missions, a need was felt to impart pre-departure training to the officers and men proceeding on such assignments. In order to meet this requirement, Peace Keeping Training Cell was added to the School in 1994. The cell is responsible for educating officers of Pakistan Army and friendly countries in duties related to employment under aegis of United Nations.
The School emblem was adopted in December 1953 which consisted of Roman Shield featuring a bayonet. This crest remained in vogue till 1956. In 1957 while undergoing major reorganization, the structure of the shield was changed from Roman to Muslim (Circular Shield). The Bayonet retained its central place with a blood red background.
Location
The School is located five kilometers north-east of Quetta, the capital city of Baluchistan Province. Quetta, once an isolated and out of the way military cantonment, is today a thriving capital of the province of Baluchistan. Located at a height of over 5000 feet above sea level, it is surrounded by barren mountains with several peaks towering to a height of over 10,000 feet. The Quetta Valley itself, although not profusely vegetated, is turning greener by the year. In the summers, fruit laden orchards present a very attractive sight. Although a small city, Quetta has over the years acquired the typical hustle and bustle of a provincial metropolis with a population of over 1.6 million. Both, the city and cantonment continue to modernize at an equally fast pace.
Quetta has a dry and healthy climate, with no factory smoke to pollute fresh and invigorating mountain air. Winters in Quetta are severe and last from mid-October to end March. The temperature during winters, falls to minus 15 degree Celsius necessitating the use of heavy quilts, blankets and heating arrangements. Springs in Quetta are normally pleasant and last from end March to end April. Summers are mild by Pakistani standards and normally stretch from May to August. The maximum temperature during the day seldom exceeds 41 degree Celsius during the hottest period. Evenings and nights are usually cool. Autumn comes in the months of September and October. Snow generally stretches from December to March.
Flying time to Quetta from Karachi is about one hour. There is one flight daily from Karachi to Quetta. By train, Bolan Mail takes 20 hours. Both modes of travel are comfortable. However, train booking is required to be made at least 72 hours in advance.
Training Philosophy
SI&T being the premier institution for training junior leadership of Pakistan Army, undeniably prides itself to be the custodian of infantry combat culture. It will maintain focus on integrated / combined arms training parameters. SI&T will continue to transform into a “combined arms training intuition” and will contribute to develop thinking leaders with clarity of mind, initiative and foresight. In this regard efforts will be focused on improving intellectual outlook of the students besides imparting hardcore professional training, thus infusing competence to undertake tactical missions under conventional as well sub conventional warfare. The Infantry School will provide a balance fusion of education and training to its alumnae for ambiguous, uncertain and complex threat in the resource constrained environment. Focal point of the entire endeavor will be, “To produce combat worthy Junior Leaders, equipped with requisite professional knowledge and competence to effectively respond to changing / fluid combat situations, through a directive control, by focusing on development of leadership traits and basic skills for conventional and unconventional operations”.
The Faculty
The Courses
The Institution runs a number of courses a year with duration varying between four and twenty two weeks. Syllabi of the courses are designed to teach various aspects of military profession which include:-
•Command techniques
•Man-management
•Tactics and battle craft
•Weapons systems
•Specialized warfare techniques
•Nuclear, chemical and biological defense (NBCD)
•Peacekeeping operations
Few courses offered are:-
•Mid-Career Course (MCC)
This course is designed for professional grooming of officers with 3-6 years of commissioned service and is of 20 weeks duration. It is meant to train infantry, other arms and allied officers in handling of sub unit / units and employment as grade-3 staff officer in peace and war. Two courses are conducted in a year.
•Young Officers Courses (YOs)
◦Small Arms Course. It is designed to train young officers in handling, employment and maintenance of small arms. Duration of the course is 5 weeks.
◦Heavy Weapons Course. The course is designed to train young officers in handling and employment of infantry heavy weapons. It is 4 weeks duration course
◦Basic Infantry Course. It is designed to train young officers (all arms / services) in tactical handling of infantry platoon / company. The duration of the course is 8 weeks
◦Advance Infantry Course. The course is designed to train young officers of infantry in advance combat skills and minor tactics with a view to inculcate initiative so as to become effective junior leaders both in conventional operations and operations under low intensity conflict environments. It is a 5 weeks duration course.
•Junior commissioned officers / Noncommissioned officers courses
◦Junior Non Commissioned Officers Course. The course is designed to train selected Naiks (Infantry / Civil Armed Forces / Pakistan Navy) as unit instructors in handling of small arms / heavy weapons and infantry sections in all operations of war.
◦Advanced Leadership Course. The course is designed to train promotable Havildars as platoon leaders in employment of infantry platoon in various operations of war.
◦ATGM Course. The course is designed to train Junior commissioned officers / Noncommissioned officers as effective instructors of ATGM weapon systems and acquaint them with the employment of ATGM detachment / platoon in various operations of war
•Combined Courses
◦Mortar Course. The course is designed to train nominated officers / junior commissioned officers / Noncommissioned officers as unit instructors in organization of training.
◦Sniper Course. The course is designed to train officers / Noncommissioned officers as snipers for subsequent employment as unit instructors.
◦Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Defense Instructors course. The course is designed to impart specialized training of Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Defense to selected officers / Junior commissioned officers / Noncommissioned officers of all arms and services, in order to train them as instructors at all levels. The course is of 4 weeks duration
•United Nations Peace keeping Course. The course is designed to educate officers of Pakistan Army and Allied Counties in multifarious aspects related to United Nations Peace keeping operations
Extra-Curricular Activities
School Cinema
For the recreation of officers a movie is screened every week.
Saddle Club
The School has a few riding horses for officers interested in riding.
Quetta Club
It is not very far from the School and offers all the recreational facilities of indoor and outdoor games.
Gymnasiums & Sports Grounds
The school offers state of the art gymnasiums & a number of sports grounds for work out & games
Study Tours
•Inland Study Tour
Twice a year, Allied Officers are taken around the country on a study tour. The tour is conducted for ten days and includes visits to Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Murree. The Study tour has been discontinued due to prevailing security situation in the country.
•Local Visits
The School also arranges local visits to places and events of interest. Amongst these, visits to Governor Baluchistan, Command and Staff College, Sibi Mela, Hanna Lake, Chamman, Ziarat and military units and formations are worth mentioning.
•Presentation and Lectures
Generally, the allied officers are asked to give presentation of 20-40 minutes on their country to the course.
Campus
Over the years, the school campus has been vastly expanded in terms of training, administration and recreational facilities with a view to providing ideal environment to the students. All possible facilities available in the campus are within walking distance.
Sufficient residential blocks exist to house the students, besides having well established officers messes, shopping complex, internet cafe, telephone/ telegraph facility and a bank. The architecture of the school presents a tasteful blend of old and new construction which merges well with the surroundings.
Landscaping has been done with great care and the school is proud to have the largest collection of roses in the garrison which adds to its beauty.
The School recognizes the fact that extracurricular activities are an essential part of a student's life. Therefore, participation in wide and diversified recreational and social activities is encouraged. A wide range of facilities and equipment for cricket, volleyball, baseball, basketball, tennis, squash, gymnasium and riding are offered.
The School is headed by a Major General. It has an Instructional Wing and School Headquarters. The School Headquarter is headed by Colonel General Staff and has two branches, which are General Staff Branch, Adjutant and Quartermaster Branch. General Staff Branch is headed by a Lieutenant Colonel whereas Adjutant and Quartermaster Branch is being looked after by two Lieutenant Colonels. A Brigadier, also the Chief Instructor, commands the Instructional Wing. It has four Divisions and a Research and Development Wing.
