THE TRAINING OF CANDIDATE OFFICERS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Abstract

A thorough analysis of cadet courses in the years 1922 - 1950 is far beyond the scope of this study which should be regarded as speculative and suggestive.

From the early 1920's to the mid 1950's the South African Military College (the South African Military School unit 1924) was involved in the instruction of candidate officers. Yet the military schooling of cadets was not necessarily the primary function of the College. It was not a specialist military college or academy such as Sandhurst or Westpoint solely preoccupied with the education of young aspirant officers. The South African Military College catered for the land and Air Forces, tutoring Permanent Force as well as Citizen Force personnel, training members of the South African Instructional Corps and running staff courses for officers. The South African Military College had to operate on a somewhat restrictive budget.