Namibian Defence Force Training Establishment

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.

Namibian Defence Force Training Establishment
TypeMilitary academy
Established1979
CommandantKashindi Eusebi Kashindi
Location,
CampusOkahandja
ColorsBrown, gold   
AffiliationsNamibian Defence Force

History

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The school traces its roots back to the Namibian Liberation struggle when the forerunner to today's military school was established in late 1979 as the "SWA Military School" by the South West African Territorial Force during the South African administration of Namibia.[1] The school is the primary training unit of the force. It is partly based at the Osona Military base outside Okahandja. 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.[2] The school also conducts training for all officer cadets in the force.[3]

Training offered

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SWATF era logo

The school offers and hosts a variety of military training institutions and courses including language, computer, and military police course. The Automotive school trains technical services auto mechanics.[4] The driving school trains military personnel in operating and maintaining vehicles. A cadet officers' course is run at the military school.

Central medical training school

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A central medical training facility is being built at the Namibian Military School.[5] The wing is commanded by Lt Col Amutenya.[6]

Signals training school

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Formerly a wing, the signals training school trains military communications specialists. Signals courses offered include Communication Course, Signal Officers Course and Computer Courses.[7] It is currently under construction.[8]

Recruit training

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As the primary training institution, basic training for all NDF recruits is undertaken at the Osona military base outside Okahandja. An extension of the school is also located at the Ondangwa Military Base where basic training for recruits can also take place. Basic training for recruits is six months long, and is offered in two phases, Basic Military Training and Platoon Weapons.

Some of the military aspects covered include drills, field craft, skill at arms, minor tactics, coin ops, military hygiene, military law, military aspects, first aid, map reading, law of armed conflict and conventional warfare.[9]

Central support structure for peacekeeping missions

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Being set up with German assistance, the facility will consist 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.[10]

Commandants

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Namibia Military School
From Commandant To
Unknown date Colonel Malakia Nakanduungileh[11] 10 April 2002
10 April 2002 Colonel Mwetufa Mupopiwa[11] unknown datw
Unknown date Brigadier General Joseph Kakoto 18 April 2011
18 April 2011 Brigadier General Fredrick Siluzungila 1 April 2014
1 April 2014 Brigadier General Wilbard Shikongo 27 February 2017
27 February 2017 Brigadier General Joshua Namhindo 2018
2018 Brigadier General Kashindi Eusebi Kashindi incumbent
From Formation Sergeant Major To
2010 Warrant Officer class 1 Albert Siyaya 2011

References

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  1. ^ "Death in the Desert: The Namibian Tragedy: Namibianizing The War - Namibia". Namibweb.com. Retrieved 2015-05-01.
  2. ^ "Ministry of Defence". Gov.na. Archived from the original on 2015-05-18. Retrieved 2015-05-01.
  3. ^ "Ministry of Defence". Gov.na. Archived from the original on 2015-05-18. Retrieved 2015-05-01.
  4. ^ "NDF members complete auto mechanic course".
  5. ^ "A Delegation of the German Bundestag visits Namibia - Federal Foreign Office". Windhuk.diplo.de. 2019-01-25. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
  6. ^ "Defense Forces' projects get assistance from visiting German Bundestag delegation | Namibia Economist". Economist.com.na. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
  7. ^ "School of Signals - GRN Portal". Mod.gov.na. Retrieved 2022-09-02.
  8. ^ "Osona Signal School | WV Construction".
  9. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-09-21. Retrieved 2016-05-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. ^ "Technical training facility for military staff goes up at Osona | Namibia Economist".
  11. ^ a b "News". www.mod.gov.na. Archived from the original on 5 October 2006. Retrieved 12 January 2022.