Centre of Excellence for Canadian Army Individual Training evolved over time

The Combat Training Centre (CTC), a formation of the Canadian Army Doctrine and Training Centre, is headquartered at 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown (New Brunswick). 

CTC is comprised of eight schools and two units: the Combat Training Centre Headquarters; the Royal Canadian Armour Corps School; the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery School; the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering; the Infantry School; the Tactics School; the Canadian Army Trials and Evaluation Unit; the Canadian Forces School of Communications and Electronics (Kingston, Ontario); the Canadian Army Advanced Warfare Centre (Trenton, ON); and the Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers School (Borden, Ontario). 

In November 1969, the Commander of the Army directed the disbandment of 3 Brigade and the formation of the CTC in Gagetown.  The Combat Arms School, which had been created by amalgamating the Royal Canadian Armour Corps School and Royal Canadian School of Infantry on 24 Nov 1966, was placed under CTC and moved from Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Borden to CFB Gagetown on 1 Sep 1970.  Effective on that same date, the Royal Canadian School of Artillery was also moved to Gagetown from Shilo, Manitoba, and absorbed into the Combat Arms School (CAS).  

During its initial years, the CTC’s role was to handle the day-to-day administrative requirements of the CAS and also the 2 Royal Canadian Regiment Battalion, which is also based at CFB Gagetown. 

Since its conception, CTC has been supporting the Canadian Armed Forces’ readiness and modernization through the conduct of individual training, the preservation of individual training standards, and the maintenance of assigned Centre of Excellence responsibilities. CTC uses state-of-the-art technologies to enhance soldier and leadership training. These range in complexity from the simulation systems to individual vehicle and weapon simulators.

One of the most significant developments within the CTC recently has been the growing use of computer-driven training simulators. Several different training simulator platforms are used to provide training on the use of small arms, turret mounted weapons systems, calling for indirect fire, conducting armoured reconnaissance operations, and commanding combat team or smaller operations.  Training simulators are just one of the new ways that advanced technologies are being used to improve training within the CTC.  

The lead organization for the modernization of training is the Army Learning Support Centre (ALSC), which produces advanced training solutions for all CTC schools. The ALSC produces all distance learning courseware material for all Army courses.  Distance learning and distributed learning initiatives allow students to achieve some of the learning requirements for their training while still at their home base.

As the Canadian Armed Forces undergoes reconstitution with a focus on personnel, recruiting and retention; the importance of maximizing effectiveness within the individual training system is pivotal to ensure core capabilities are achieved through multiple learning models, including mentorship based instruction throughout all stages of training.

Photo Credit: Corporal Katy Brouillard, Tactics School, Combat Training Centre © 2023 DND-MDN Canada