Training Curriculum
Pattern of Courses
1. School of Artillery conducts about 35 courses of instruction every year with 11 to 15 courses running concurrently. In addition, the School of Artillery also trains a large number of Officers and NCOs from the armed forces of friendly foreign countries.
2. From the Young Officers (YOs) course onwards, officers keep returning to Devlali for further training at different stages in their career. The most prestigious course is the Long Gunnery Staff Course (LGSC) which is conducted for officers as well as JCO/ NCOs. The aim of the course is to train Instructors in Gunnery (IsG). IsG are posted in School of Artillery as instructors and are distinguished by the coveted Red Band around their peak caps and turbans. High calibre of instructors in the School of Artillery can be judged from the fact that the Gunner Officers who are nominated for the Staff College course every year, 80 to 90 percent either are, or have been, IsG in the School of Artillery.
3. In the training of JCOs and NCOs the stress is on turning out good Unit Instructors. Different courses are run for different types of equipment.
4. The methodology of conduct of courses follows a graduated approach to ensure certain degree of preparation by students before coming for the course of instructions through Distance Learning Package (DLP). The pattern of courses has been evolved with meticulous care so that training is progressive and in conformity with the service group and level of Officers, JCOs and NCOs. A periodic review of courses ensures that the syllabi are up-to-date and effective.
Conduct of Training
1. Officer instructional staff are suitably supplemented in various faculties/wings by Assistant Instructors in Gunnery (AIsG) and Technical Instructors Fire Control (TIsFC).
2. Every course is structured into separate legs. The structure ensures progression of the course from learning technical aspects and thereafter their tactical application. The most modern media of instruction are used to impart training in the School of Artillery. Sophisticated audio-visual and electronic training aids and simulators are extensively used. Free exchange of ideas, open discussions and originality of thought is encouraged, mutual learning and sharing of experiences are emphasised. Instruction encompasses practical training on all equipment and fire control instruments, tutorials and sand model discussions, indoor and outdoor exercises, demonstrations, training films and individual project assignments.
Field Firing Ranges
The Devlali Field Firing Ranges are located only a few kilometres away from the School of Artillery for live firing practices where teaching of classroom and gun-drill grounds are tested and reinforced. The permanently acquired Ranges are spread over an area of about 26,498 acres. The School of Artillery also has two small arms classification ranges, complete with 30 electronic targets and three control panels. These ranges are utilised by the Devlali garrison and NCC units for small arms firing practices.
