National Defence Academy - Service Training

Service Training

Army

Cadets are imparted a blend of outdoor and indoor training. Outdoor training is carried out in the hilly and wooded terrain in and around the NDA campus. Indoor training includes theoretical and practical simulated training. Cadets are taught subjects such as Tactical Training, Weapon Training, Map Reading, Military Writing, Field Engineering, Organisation and Administration and Radio Telephony. A five-day camp is an additional feature of the training. Training visits to operational military establishments and bases are also incorporated to enhance the practical content of the training.

During his stay at the NDA, an Army cadet is taught judging distances, terrain study, indication and recognition of targets, camouflage and concealment, trench digging, observation by day and night, stalking, organisation of an Infantry section, section formations, field signals, fire control orders, section in attack, defence and patrolling. They are also taught handling of firearms, marksmanship and night firing. In addition, aspects of NBC Warfare and CI ops are also taught to the cadets.

An Inter Squadron Bayonet fighting competition is held to inculcate a spirit of aggression and martial hue as also to teach the nuances of hand-to-hand combat. An Inter Squadron Firing Competition is also conducted to enhance levels of marksmanship and night firing skills.

CAMPS Camp : GreenHorn Duration : 4 days Camp Greenhorn is conducted to introduce a second term cadet to the basic battle subjects such as map reading, tent pitching, fitting of web equipment, navigation, endurance training, compass reading and development of leadership qualities.

Camp : Rover Duration : 4 days Camp Rover is conducted to introduce a fourth term cadet to the basic battle subjects such as map reading, Tent Pitching, fitting of web equipment, navigation, endurance training, compass reading and development of leadership qualities.

Camp : Torna In the sixth term Camp Torna is conducted, where practical aspects are reinforced in simulated field conditions. The cadets are provided with opportunities to demonstrate leadership qualities in various tactical situations. The training is geared to prepare a cadet to lead an infantry section effectively. Other aspects covered during the camp include map-reading and navigation by day and night, quick attack at section level, patrolling, ambush, endurance training, and occupation of a Section Defended Post and conduct of a defensive battle at section level by night.

Navy

The Naval Training Team is the oldest of the Training Teams at the NDA. The main task of the Naval Training Team is to trained V and VI term naval cadets on Specialist Service Subjects both theoretical and practical.

Syllabus : The major emphasis is laid on Navigation, Seamanship and Communication. A total of 328 theoretical classes which are currently under revision are conducted for VI term naval cadets. The % wise distribution of periods of service subjects as follows: -

Training Theoretical Instructions : Theoretical instructions are imparted in the class room at NTT and Peacock Bay by using modern teaching methodology where-in 3D models, CAI and CBT packages, scaled down models are used.

Practical instructions :Practical instructions are imparted in the Watermanship training Centre at Peacock bay during regular periods and during club days.

In addition to class room instructions at NTT, practical classes on Seamanship are conducted at Peacock Bay while Communication practicals are conducted at NTT both in the morning as well as in the evenings on all service days.

Visits : In order to orient the cadets to the navy, an orientation visit to Mumbai is conducted prior to the commencement of service training; during which the cadets visit various class of ships, submarines, shop floors, repair facilities etc. As part of the visit the naval cadets are sent to NBCD School to acquaint with fire fighting, damage control aspects. Further, to inculcate competitive sprit and adventurism amongst the cadets, VI term naval cadets are sent to Naval Academy, Goa to take part in Open Sea Whaler Sailing Expedition and interact with their counterparts at the NAVAC.

Camps : Camp Varuna I during the middle of the term to get a first hand experience onboard during sailing and Camp Varuna II at the end of the term to put the theoretical knowledge acquired at NTT into practical use during the three days sailing.

Watermanship Training : NTT has been holding a huge repository of Watermanship equipment at Watermanship Training Centre, Peacock Bay located on the waterfront of Khadakwasla lake. Watermanship clubs functional varieties at Watermanship Training Centre, Peacock Bay are as follows:

Yachting Kayaking Windsurfing Rowing Water-skiing Ship Modeling Besides training, numerous Watermanship competitions and expeditions are conducted during the term, which are as follows: -

Air Force

The Air Force Training Team (AFTT) aims at training Air Force cadets in the basics of military aviation through ground training and flying training. Ground training is conducted with the help of modern training aids, aircraft models, and cross-sectional models of aero-engines and instruments, Radio Telephony simulators and Flight simulators. Flying training consists of a minimum of eight sorties on the Super Dimona aircraft. Cadets also get an exposure to deflection firing through Skeet shooting. Visits to key Air Force training establishments, Air Force Stations and civil aviation centers are also undertaken to give cadets first - hand experience of aviation activities. Flying training at the AFTT is fully backed by an Automatic Weather Station, Air Traffic Control Station, a paved runway and a dispersal for six aircraft.

The AFTT was formed towards the end of 1956. The aim of the AFTT is to introduce the VI Term cadets to gliding and allied professional subjects, which in turn prepares them for their professional training in the Air Force flying establishments. Over the last 50 years, the gliding training has now evolved into flying training. Five different classes of gliders were acquired by the Academy since 1957. They are Sedberg T-21B, Eon Baby, Eon Olympics, Rohini and Ardhra gliders. All these gliders with the exception of T-21B were utilised in training of the cadets.

The induction of Super Dimona, a lightweight fixed wing powered aircraft in 2001, is a watershed in the history of AFTT and introduced a quantum jump in the quality of training. In addition to flying eight sorties on Super Dimona, a cadet is taught subjects like aerodynamics, navigation, aero engines, instrumentation, aviation medicine, airmanship, airframe, avionics & radio aids, meteorology, GSK and air power.

Visits to Air Force Academy, Air Wing at Indian Armament Technology, Air Base at Pune and College of Military Engineering are organised to enable the Air Force cadets to appreciate the Air Force aspects.