Military Science
Welcome to Stellenbosch University

Military Development

Contribution to The Higher Certificate in Military Studies Programme


Competency. 12 credits

Civic Education. 4 = 40 periods
Key feature of democracy
Civil military relations
Military professionalism
Constitution and the bill of rights
Elements of international humanitarian laws (LOAC)

CSW. 3 = 30 periods
Basic conventions of layout
Minutes and Agenda
Letters
Memoranda
Staff Papers

Mil History. 4 = 40 periods

Personal Finance. 1 = 10 periods
Planning
Tax
Financing
Investments
Risk management
Financial indicators

Musketry. 2 = 20 periods


Professional Military development

Weekly Programme.  A typical weekly programme for first years may consist of the following:

Monday
06:00 Taekwondo
06:50 Parade Work and Roll Call/ Maintenance
13:20 – 14:05 Military Professional Development Programme

Tuesday
07:00 Military Instructor Communication Period

Wednesday
06:50 Parade Work and Roll Call
16:00 Sunday – Thursday
20:00 – 22:00 Compulsory Study Period

Thursday
06:00 Taekwondo
07:00 Student Captain Communication Period
11:50 Communication Periods
17:00 PT

Friday
06:50 Inspections

Saturday
07:00 Unit maintenance

Sunday – Thursday
20:00 – 22:00 Compulsory Study Period

Military Weeks. During each academic year there are three military weeks scheduled for professional military development.  The following diagram shows the military weeks for the next three years. The main aim of military weeks is to continue the development of officers' military professional competencies.  Military Weeks is also compulsory. No leave will be approved.

Activity    Fist Year  Second YearThird Year
 JanSepJanSep JanSep
Induction x     
Shooting  x    
Adventure Training: Sea  x   
Adventure Training: Land   x  
War Simulation Exercise    x 
Sea Survival/ Adv Trg     x



Recess Training/ Career Manager Visits. During the middle of the academic year (Jun/ Jul) five to six weeks are set aside for the Arms of Service to plan the functional training of their students. During the month of May representatives from the various Arms of Service and Formations visit the Military Academy to do the planning of functional courses and detach duty for all the students during the recess.  During this visit students must ensure that they make use of this opportunity to do a detail career planning in conjunction with their representatives for the duration of studies.  The Career Managers visit is repeated later in the year to mainly confirm the placement/ transfer of Third and Fist Years student leaving the Military Academy at the end of the year.

Physical Fitness Evaluation (PFE). At the Military Academy we expect that all students will adopt a healthy life style.  For this reason students may use their non-academic periods to maintain personal fitness standards. This may be done by using the unit Gymnasium or to exercise the sport of their choice.  However a compulsory year group physical fitness period also make part of the weekly programme.  PFE's will be done twice quarterly to verify each student's level of fitness according to the standards set by Director PTSR. If the prescribed standard is not met, the PTSR Officer Will work out a programme for the students concerned who will then have to execute it in their own time.  A re-evaluation will be done to monitor their progress.

Drill Competition. To ensure that the officer student does not unlearn their drill skills due to continuous study, the Senior Military Instructors, Academy Sergeant Major (ASM) and Training Warrant Officer ensure that only the highest standard of outward neatness and drill work is maintained in the unit lines and on parades.  The drill competition is held once a semester, and is judged by a panel of drill instructors of the Military Academy and West Coast Units.  The Prize is a special drill trophy, and the year group with the highest combined average of the two drill competitions is crowned as victors.

Formal Dinners and Guest Evenings. As part of their professional development the year groups are also exposed to the social aspect of the military culture.  During the first semester a Formal dinner is held for the first years to promote the interaction on social level between the personnel and students.  Guest evenings are held in the second semester for the second and third year groups and spouses or friends accompany students to these functions.

Induction Parade for New Students and Unit

Members. An induction parade takes place early in the first semester.  During this parade the first years are welcomed as members of the unit.  The Commandant Military Academy also reads the Code of Honour to the new members during the parade.  While it is read out the first years repeat after him and thereby formally pledge to keep to the prescripts of the Code of Honour.

Flag Hoisting Battalion Parade. A Flag Hoisting Battalion Parade takes place on every last Wednesday of the month.  Students hold key positions at these parades.  The National Flag is hoisted and the Code of Conduct is read during the parade.

Medal Parade. The unit's annual medal parade usually takes place during October.  At this occasion medals and certificates are presented to the staff members and students who have earned such awards.

Passing – out Parade. The Passing-out parade is the highlight of every final year student's stay at the Military Academy.  During this parade, which is scheduled for the last work week of the year, invited dignitaries take leave of the final year students.  The trophies for the best student in every Arm of Service as well as the Sword of Honour, for the best overall final year student, are presented at this parade.

R4 Assault rifle and 9mm pistol

Regimental. 2 = 20 periods
Drill
Parades

PFE's 2 x per semester