School of Infantry (Australia)

School of Infantry (Australia)
Unit name	School of Infantry
Dates	1942–present
Country	Australia
Branch	Australian Army
Type	Training
Role	Infantry training
Garrison	Lone Pine Barracks, Singleton
Nickname	SOI
Motto	"Courage and Initiative"

School of Infantry (Australia) is the principal Australian Army institution responsible for the initial and advanced training of infantry soldiers and officers. It operates within the structure of the Australian Defence Force alongside institutions such as Royal Military College, Duntroon, Australian Defence Force Academy, Defence Force School of Signals, Royal Australian Regiment units, and allied schools like the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, United States Army Infantry School, Canadian Army Doctrine and Training Centre.

History

The School of Infantry traces origins to wartime training establishments established during World War II, contemporaneous with formations like the 2nd Australian Imperial Force, Papuan Campaign, Kokoda Track campaign, and training centres at Victoria Barracks, Sydney and Puckapunyal. Post-war restructures mirrored changes following the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency, and the Vietnam War, influencing doctrine alongside lessons from the British Army, the United States Army, and the New Zealand Army. Reforms during the late 20th century connected the School with institutions such as the Australian Army Training Authority and the Land Warfare Centre (Australia). The School adapted through organisational changes concurrent with the Defence White Paper reviews and interoperability initiatives with forces engaged in operations including East Timor and Iraq War deployments.

Role and Training

The School provides courses across soldier, non-commissioned officer and officer streams integrating syllabus elements used by formations like the 1st Division (Australia), 3rd Brigade (Australia), and the 7th Brigade (Australia). Core instruction covers tactics influenced by historical campaigns including Battle of Long Tan, Siege of Tobruk, and doctrines developed by the British Expeditionary Force and United States Marine Corps. Specialist courses include close combat, reconnaissance, urban operations, and combined arms integration practiced with units such as the Armour Centre (Australia), Royal Australian Engineers, Royal Australian Artillery, and Health Services Corps (Australia). The School liaises with allied institutions including Australian Defence Force Warfare Centre, Joint Ground-based Air Defence School, and international partners like United States Army Pacific for exchange and interoperability programs.

Organisation and Locations

Headquartered at Lone Pine Barracks, Singleton, the School operates sub-units and wings co-located with training areas including Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway training areas, Majura Field Firing Range, Puckapunyal Military Area, and ranges in VIC and NSW. It supports battalions such as the 2nd/4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment and regional reserve units like the Royal Victoria Regiment and Adelaide Universities Regiment through rotating attachments. Command relationships link the School to higher commands including Forces Command (Australia), while joint activities involve organisations such as Air Force Training Group and the Joint Operations Command (Australia). Historical detachments have operated from locations like Palestine Hospital, Gallipoli Barracks, and forward training sites used during deployments to Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.

Vehicles, Weapons and Equipment

Training employs vehicles and equipment fielded by units such as the 1st Armoured Regiment (Australia), the 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (Mech) and affiliated schools. Common platforms used in instruction include armoured vehicles like the ASLAV, the M113, and mechanised vehicles used by the Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle. Small arms and crew-served weapons are representative of systems in service with the Royal Australian Infantry Corps, including the F88 Austeyr, the F89 Minimi, and the M2 Browning for heavy weapons drills. Anti-armor and indirect fire training reference systems such as the Javelin (missile), the 81mm mortar, and artillery coordination with the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery. Communications and surveillance training integrates equipment from organisations like the Defence Science and Technology Group and the Australian Signals Directorate.

Notable Operations and Exercises

While primarily a training establishment, the School contributed cadres, instructors and doctrine to operations and multinational exercises including rotations supporting Operation Warden, Operation Slipper, and Operation Catalyst. It has provided personnel and instructional input to exercises such as Talisman Sabre, Pitch Black, Kakadu, RIMPAC, Hamel (exercise), Wallaby (exercise), and bilateral exchanges with ANZAC partners and Five Eyes allies. The School’s instructors have influenced operational training packages used by formations deploying to East Timor (INTERFET), Iraq, Afghanistan, and peacekeeping missions under United Nations mandates, often working with units like the Australian Federal Police on stability operations training.

Insignia and Traditions

Insignia and traditions reflect links to the Royal Australian Infantry Corps and commemorate battles and memorials such as Lone Pine (Gallipoli), Kokoda Track campaign, and decorations associated with individual soldiers like the Victoria Cross (Australia). Regimental customs incorporate elements shared with units including the Royal Military College, Duntroon, Royal Australian Regiment battalions, and reserve formations like the University Regiments. Ceremonial practices mirror those observed at institutions such as the Australian War Memorial and are presented at events connected to anniversaries like Anzac Day and battalion commemorations including Tobruk Day.

Category:Training establishments of the Australian Army