Mons Officer Cadet School

The Mons Officer Cadet School was a British military training establishment in Aldershot. 1942 saw the RMC move to Mons Barracks where it became 161 OCTU(RMC)^{[citation needed]}. Cadets underwent a three month training programme prior to the Commisioning Passing Out Parade. Those passing out slow marched up the steps from the parade ground led by the Adjutant mounted on horseback^{[citation needed]}. All cadets were under the demanding eye of the senior WO in the British Army RSM Brittain^{[citation needed]}. In 1947 the Mons Officer Cadet Training Unit (Aldershot) was re-organised as an OCTU for short service and national service officer cadets of the technical arms.^[1] The Mons OCTU was established at Mons Barracks, Aldershot, previously used by 161 Inf OCTU (RMC), to train officer cadets of the Royal Artillery and Royal Armoured Corps.^[2] The Mons Barracks had originally been built in 1926-27 for the Royal Signals.^[3]

Shortly before National service was abolished in 1960, Mons OCTU and Eaton Hall OCTU were combined to form the Mons Officer Cadet School. Mons OCS was made responsible for training all Short Service Officer Cadets, and for those joining the Regular Army as graduates. Later, Mons became also responsible for final training of candidates for Territorial Army commissions. The intensive training that focussed on the cadets' duties as subalterns rather than as field officers and generals was fast and efficient, and attractive to potential officers since the course lasted just six months compared to two years at Sandhurst.^[2]

The Mons OCS was closed in 1972, and its responsibilities transferred to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, which was re-organised as an academy for student officers and officer cadets, including regulars, short servicemen, and Territorials.^[1]

Notable graduates

• Alexander, Crown Prince of Yugoslavia
• Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain
• Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Hakem of Fujairah
• Nicholas Soames

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Some key dates in the history of The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and its predecessors". The Churchill Society. http://www.churchill-society-london.org.uk/Shst2Chr.htm. Retrieved 2010-2-27. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "The History of RMA Sandhurst". British Army. http://www.army.mod.uk/documents/general/history_of_rmas.pdf. Retrieved 2010-2-27. 
3. ^ "Branch History". The Royal Signals Association, Aldershot Branch. http://www.rsa-aldershot.org/html/branch_history.html. Retrieved 2010-2-27.