The Namibian Defence Force Training Establishment is a training unit of the Namibian Defence Force. It is the premier training institution of the Namibian military and offers a variety of training ranging from basic military training to vocational training. It was previously known as Military School Okahandja. The Training Establishment Consists of Seven Schools, all commanded by Officers of the rank of Colonel or its equivalents.

History

The Training Establishment traces its roots back to the Namibian Liberation struggle when the forerunner to today's Training Establishment was established in late 1979 as the "SWA Military School" by the

South West African Territorial Force The South West Africa Territorial Force (SWATF) was an auxiliary arm of the South African Defence Force (SADF) and comprised the armed forces of South West Africa (now Namibia) from 1977 to 1989. It emerged as a product of South Africa's politi ...

during the South African administration of

Namibia Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia, is a country on the west coast of Southern Africa. Its borders include the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south; in the no ...

. The Training Establishment is the primary training unit of the force. It is based at the Osona Military base outside

Okahandja Okahandja is a city of 45,159 inhabitants in Otjozondjupa Region, central Namibia, and the district capital of the Okahandja electoral constituency. It is known as the ''Garden Town of Namibia''. It is located 70 km north of Windhoek on the B1 r ...

. It is the NDF training institution that offers the six-month basic military training (BMT) to all recruits wanting a career in the Namibian Defence Force. The school also conducts training for all officer cadets in the force.

Training offered

The Training Establishment offers and hosts seven different Schools formilitary training institutions and courses including language, computer, and military police course. The Automotive school trains technical services auto mechanics. The driving school trains military personnel in operating and maintaining vehicles.

Medical Training School

A Medical training facility is part of the Training Establishment.

School of Logistics

A school of Logistics has been setup at the Training Establishment.

School of Intelligence

A school of Intelligence has been setup at the Training Establishment.

School of Signals

Formerly a wing, the School of Signals trains military communications specialists. Signals courses offered include Communication Course, Signal Officers Course and Computer Courses.

Military Discipline Training School

As the primary training institution, basic military training for all NDF recruits is undertaken at the Osona military base outside

. Basic training for recruits is nine months long, and is offered in two phases, Basic Military Training and Platoon Weapons. Some of the military aspects covered include drills,

field craft Fieldcraft comprises the techniques and methods involved in living, traveling, or making military or scientific observations in the field. The term "fieldcraft" is used in a broad range of industries including military, oil and gas, wildlife and ...

, skill at arms, minor tactics, coin ops, military hygiene,

military law Military justice (or military law) is the body of laws and procedures governing members of the armed forces. Many nation-states have separate and distinct bodies of law that govern the conduct of members of their armed forces. Some states us ...

, military aspects,

first aid First aid is the first and immediate assistance given to any person with a medical emergency, with care provided to preserve life, prevent the condition from worsening, or to promote recovery until medical services arrive. First aid is gener ...

, map reading,

law of armed conflict The law of war is a component of international law that regulates the conditions for initiating war (''jus ad bellum'') and the conduct of hostilities (''jus in bello''). Laws of war define sovereignty and nationhood, states and territories, ...

and

conventional warfare Conventional warfare is a form of warfare conducted by using conventional weapons and battlefield tactics between two or more sovereign state, states in open confrontation. The forces on each side are well-defined and fight by using weapons that ...

Vocational Training School

Set up with German assistance, the facility consistS of training workshops for plumbing, carpentry, welding, electricity and bricklaying artisans. The central support unit aims to capacitance the military when it deploys on peace support operations.
Trades include:https://trainingproviders.nta.com.na/training_providers/namibia-defence-force-training-establishment-vocational-training-centre/ *Automotive Engineering *Metal Fabrication *Electrical General *Air-conditioning & Refrigeration *Bricklaying and Plastering *General Construction *Manufacturing (Carpentry)

Commandants

References

{{Reflist Military of Namibia Military academies Military education and training in Namibia