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JOINING INSTRUCTIONS – SENIOR COMMAND COURSE

INTRODUCTION

1. The Commandant and the staff of the Army War College (AWC) congratulate you on your
selection to attend the Senior Command Course (SCC). We hope that you will enjoy many challenging
features of the course which is even more beneficial to your career development in the Army. The
purpose of these instructions is to provide you with necessary information to prepare yourself for the
SCC.

GENERAL

2. The Commanding Officer is one of the most important appointments an officer can hold. It
provides the opportunity for officers realize their leadership and management potential and to become
competent officers capable of holding higher command, staff and instructional appointments in the Sri
Lanka Army. Success in commanding a unit will depend on experience, professional knowledge,
quality of training, education, integrity, discipline, right aptitude and adequate exposure to the
development of the security situations in the strategic environment at local and global level. Therefore
the SCC is designed to impart knowledge on command, leadership, strategic studies and mandatory
staff and administrative knowledge for officers who have been chosen as ‘Selected Majors’ of the Sri
Lanka army for the purpose of facilitating them to become professionally competent and successful
Unit Commanders.

AIM

3. To enhance professional knowledge and competencies to assume responsibilities as unit

commanders with sound understanding on command, staff and administrative functions and
procedures.

OBJECTIVES

4. The objectives of the course are as follows:

a. To develop essential personal traits to become a confident unit commander.

b. To develop skills and knowledge on command, staff, leadership and management

aspects during peace and war.

c. To enhance knowledge on unit administration, regulations and procedures.

d. To enhance creativity and skilful use of decision-making process during all types of
military planning and conduct of operations.

e. To provide adequate knowledge on strategic studies to inculcate awareness on strategic

environment at local and global environment.

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f. To exercise on the employment of combat, combat support and combat service support
forces across the spectrum of conflict at tactical level.

g. To impart essential knowledge on role and task of Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air
Force in conducting joint operations.

h. To impart knowledge on the concept of governance, government machinery and legal

framework.

i. To impart essential knowledge on prospect of civil military relations.

j. To develop effective communication skills.

DURATION OF THE COURSE

5. Sundays and public holidays will be non-working days except the days on which exercises are
scheduled. The total availability of periods is enumerated below:

a. Duration of the course - 03 Months (approx).

b. Total Number of weeks - 14 weeks.

a. Total Number of working weeks - 13 weeks.

b. Course Break - 01 week.

c. Total Number of Working Days - 72 days.

TIME TABLE/PERIODS

6. The daily time table with the specification of periods is as appended below:

0600-0640 Physical Training/Individual Private Studies (IPS)

0700-0800 Breakfast
0800-0840 Period 1
0845-0925 Period 2
0930-1010 Period 3
1015-1055 Period 4
1100-1120 Tea Break
1125-1205 Period 5
1210-1250 Period 6
1255-1335 Period 7
1340-1420 Period 8
1425-1525 Lunch Break
1530-1610 Period 9
1645-1745 Recreation
2000-2200 Self-Studies

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COURSE CURRICULUM

7. The course is a full-time residential course and the curriculum is designed to prepare selected
officers for battalion commanders.

8. The course provides an opportunity for student officers to demonstrate their inclination for
leadership and potentiality for command when entrusted with such responsibilities during exercises or
presentations.

9. Course Structure. The detailed programme and objectives are structured to suit the mission
of the SCC. Where appropriate, the elements of the syllabus are grouped into packages, studies and
exercises and the whole syllabus is designed to provide a balance and progressive programme. The
subjects taught at the course can be grouped under fifteen distinct categories as follows:

a. Service Writing and Staff Duties.

b. Operations of War.
c. Unit Administration.
d. Command, Command Support and Decision Making.
e. Intelligence.
f. Doctrine, Operational Art, War Fighting and National Security.
g. Operations Other Than War and Counter Terrorism.
h. Leadership.
i. Military Aids to Civil Authorities, Civil Military Relations and Nation Building.
j. International Relations and Security Studies.
k. Strategic Studies.
l. Training for Operations.
m. International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights.
n. Visits.
o. Miscellaneous.

10. Assessments. The system for assessment is comprehensive and fair. It covers knowledge,
skills, abilities, potential and attitude towards learning and self-improvement. The DS comments are
made in the progressive assessments to improve student officers’ performances throughout the course.
The formal assessment is carried out through Red Ink Corrections (RIC) and module end assessment
tests, all of which have directly linked to the course objectives. The use of standardized marking criteria
ensures the uniform assessment of the student officers.

11. Successful Completion of the Course. The student officers should obtain minimum 40
marks in overall assessment and should pass all three RICs for the successful completion of the
course. Failure to achieve 40 marks in any two RICs makes the student officer fail in the course and
would be considered only as “attended” the course.

COURSE CONDUCT

12. Teaching Methodology. Student officers will be issued publications and precis packs at
the beginning of the course. In general, subjects will be taught by means of:

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a. Individual Private Studies (IPS). These periods are allocated for student officers
to be prepared for the forthcoming course activities such as Syndicate Room
Discussions/Model Discussions etc.

b. Presentations/Lectures. Most subjects will be introduced by one or more central

presentations or lectures.

c. Syndicate Room Discussion (SRD). The student officers will be issued a Student
Preparation Guide (SPG) which will include questions to be addressed in the syndicate/
classroom. It will be referred by the student officers with the relevant precis and if necessary,
to other sources. At the SRDs, the student officers are encouraged to lead all discussions, with
the DS assistance and direction.

d. Model Discussions (MD). Model discussion is the employment of military

resources in training for military operations, either exploring the effects of warfare or testing
strategies without actual combat. This also serves the purpose of ensuring the combat readiness
of garrisoned or deployable forces prior to deployment from home base, in which the student
officers should study the narrative and do the ground recce prior to the model discussion where
they will be taught on decision making process by analysing the relevant factors before
commencing the actual military operations.

e. Tactical Exercise Without Troops (TEWT). TEWTs will confirm that the student
officers have grasped the teachings of Operations of War and COIN and can relate them to the
ground.

f. Command Post Exercices (CPX). CPXs train commanders and staff in

command and control procedures and rehearse the deployment, operation and redeployment of
an HQ.

g. Red Ink Corrections (RIC). The course includes four RICs for formal individual
assessment. One RIC will be on Service Paper, one on Conventional Operations and one on
Operation Other Than War.

h. War Study Presentations. War study presentation aims at building the skills in
studying a past operation/ battle/ campaign and to analyse it, in order to draw lessons pertinent
today. The student officers undertake this in sub-syndicates on a given topic.

13. The Syndicate System. This system has been introduced as an excellent way of allowing
student officers to learn from each other’s experience. Syndicates will be accommodated with 12
student officers and the SCC will have three such syndicates. A major part of the work is conducted
within the syndicates. Syndicates will be kept under the guidance of a Directing Staff. Within each
syndicate there will be a combination of Arms and Services.

14. Preparation Time. The proportion of the course, devoted to preparation will be significant.
This ensures that the pace of the course is brisk rather than rushed and increases the intellectual
challenges. These preparation times provide time to digest, rather than merely swallow the course and
you should look ahead and plan to use them wisely.
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15. Own Time Work. The course will require the student officers to do some work in their own
time. The exact requirement depends upon your individual experience, talent, and aptitude, but also
depends upon the time being well spent during the allocated preparation time. Sensible planning can
alleviate any pressure.

DISCONTINUATION FROM THE COURSE

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16. Student officers shall be discontinued from the course due to following reasons:

a. Attendance Failure. Student officers should compulsorily attend all events of the
course. Leave/short leave will not be granted during working days unless there is an urgent
official commitment or personal requirement on extreme compassionate grounds. Maximum
72 hours personal leave will be granted for exceptional cases (Death of
spouse/children/parents/in-laws/ siblings) subject to the pandemic situation in the country.
Failure to attend the course cumulatively for more than three days due to medical, official, or
personal reasons will result in the discontinuation of the student officer from the course.

b. Academic Misconduct. Academic misconduct includes any action or attempted

action by a student that may result in an unfair academic advantage for the student, or an unfair
academic advantage or disadvantage for other student officers.

c. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

(1) Cheating

(a) Accessing, purchasing, exchanging or offering for purchasing any item

to be submitted as an assessment task.

(b) Behaving deceitfully or dishonestly in examinations, in the preparation

of assessable items or during in-class assessments.

(c) Using or possessing prohibited equipment or material during an

examination.

(d) Sending, receiving or accessing or endeavoring to send, receive or

access any source of stored electronic information during the course work unless
specified by the assessor (use of data transfer device by the student officers
should be strictly at the discretion of the assessor).

(e) Drawing or writing on materials, other than the exam papers provided,
during an examination.

(2) Collusion/Facilitating Academic Dishonesty

(a) Assisting another student officer, intentionally or recklessly, to commit

an act of academic misconduct.

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(b) Unauthorized collaboration with other student officers on assessable
work.

(c) Uploading a copy of a subject outline or other subject or course materials

to a website or server without permission of the College, for any other reason
than personal use (permission should be sought from the Subject Coordinator
for subject materials or academic staff for all other materials).

(f) Removing or endeavoring to remove from the examination room any

question or answer paper, other papers provided for the student officers to use
during the course of the examination or other material which is the property of
the DSW, unless authorized by the examination supervisor and examiner.

(3) Fraud. Impersonating another student officers or a student officer

allowing another individual to impersonate him/her, for the purpose of completing an
examination, assessment task or online activity.

(4) Misrepresentation/ Fabrication

(a) Submitting a piece or work, including an assessable group work item,

with the intention of deceiving the assessor regarding individual contributions
to the work.

(b) Intentional and unauthorized falsification or invention of any

information, experimental data or citation in an assessable item.

(c) Misleading ascription of authorship (including claiming authorship of

parts of a group assignment prepared by other student officers).

(d) Representing data or information incorrectly, improperly or falsely.

(e) Falsely indicating participation, or recording attendance on behalf of

another student officer, in an activity where attendance is required for
assessment purposes.

(f) Submitting a text/code-matching software originality report that falsely

represents the originality of an assignment submitted for assessment.

(5) Obstruction/Interference. Behaving in any way that limits the academic

opportunities of other student officers by improperly impending their work or their
access to educational resources.

(6) Plagiarism

(a) Using another person’s ideas, designs, words or any other work without
appropriate acknowledgement.

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(b) Re-using one’s own work without appropriate acknowledgement.

(c) In a computer-based plagiarism check report, as a guide a returned

percentage below 20% would probably indicate that plagiarism has not been
occurred. However, if the 20% of matching text is one continuous block this
could still be considered plagiarism. Similarly, anything beyond this perimeter
should be decided on the originality and the genuineness of the work and at the
discretion of the supervisor/ viva panel.

(d) As and when any other similar or different software to use to determine
academic integrity criteria stipulated for such software may be used in future.

17. Defence Studies Branch will take action in response to allegations of academic misconduct to
ensure that:

a. Academic integrity is upheld.

b. That student officer who observe the principles of academic integrity are not kept at a
disadvantage.

c. That the College’s reputation and standards are protected for current and future student
officers and staff.

d. The College provides opportunities for educational where appropriate.

18. Submitting fraudulent documentation (including, but not limited to medical certificates) for the
purposes of an academic consideration request is misconduct that is investigated through a Court of
Inquiry appointed by the College.

19. Allegations of academic misconduct by a student officer undertaking a coursework must be

investigating through a Court of Inquiry appointed by the College.

20. `Personal Predicament. If any student officer is not in the position of continuing the
course due his personal impediments, he will be subjected to discontinuation of the course.

CONCLUSION

21. The 14 weeks course is designed to educate you and prepare you to hold battalion commander
appointments in the Army. It is a great opportunity; make the most out of it, “May fortune be with you
in all your endeavours.”

ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUCTIONS

1. Daily Routine. Working days in the AWC are from Monday to Saturday. Sundays are
generally considered as holidays.

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2. Discipline.

a. Punctuality. All the student officers must be punctual for lectures/ classes/
exercises as per the training programme. Any officer who is not attending to scheduled training
event without prior permission or without a proper medical disposal is liable for disciplinary
action.

b. Dress Code. All student officers must be in possession of the uniforms and other
kit/dress as per Army dress code according to the respective service dress regulations. Dress
No 6 could be worn for classroom work. All officers of the course should be dressed in similar
dress. Dress will be stipulated for outdoor activities along with instructions for such activities.
Unauthorized shoes, badges and wearing of trinkets and jewellery are strictly prohibited.

c. Conduct. All student officers are required to observe high standards of conduct.
The nominated Duty Student Officer for the day will be responsible for the duties of the day.
The Course Senior Student Officer is responsible for the overall conduct and discipline of the
course

3. Out of Bound Areas. Following areas will be out of bounds for student officers unless
otherwise summoned:

a. Commandant’s Office/Residence.
b. Chief Instructor’s Office/Residence.
c. Senior Instructor/Directing Staff Office/Residence.
d. Directing Staff Rest Areas during outdoor exercises.

4. Accommodation. Due to the nature of the course, it is essential that student officers live
in throughout the course. All officers will be provided with single accommodation or double
accommodation. Officers who wish to walk out should submit his request on the walking out register
by 1330 hour through the course senior and GSO 2 - DS Br/DS to the Senior Instructor for approval
on the same day. Walking outs are not permitted unless it is absolutely essential.

a. Handing/Taking Over. Handing/taking over of the accommodation and stores

must be done in the presence of the caretaker NCO/Mess staff. All officers are advised to
carefully take over each item and ensure that all existing breakages/damages are noted in the
documents.

b. Breakages/Damages. All officers are expected to pay for any breakage or damage
of any fitting/fixture or stores/equipment.
5. Officers’ Mess. All student officers should be adhered to the mess rules. A deposit of Rs.
15,000/- is need to be kept with Officers’ Mess as the expenses for extra messing. The mess bills
should be settled within one weeks of receiving the mess bills. Mess bills should be settled completely
before obtaining clearance at the termination of the course. The deposit money will be taken into
account when clearing the final mess bill.

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6. Transport. If available, the student officers are permitted to have personal transport for
their personal requirements. However, ownership of the vehicles must be either a student officer or
spouse. Other vehicles will not be permitted to enter camp premises under any circumstances. Parking
of vehicles will be allowed at specified areas allocated by the college. Student officers should carry
vehicle cover to ensure the safety of vehicles. Transport will be available on the following occasions:

a. From accommodation areas to Officers’ Mess.

b. For excursions/educational visits.
c. Group administrative requirements.

7. Transport for Exercises. Student officers are required to maintain vehicle discipline
during field exercises and ensure that drivers and accompanying staff is briefed about their tasks and
carry them out efficiently. The senior most student officer would be nominated as the convoy
commander whilst each vehicle will have its designated vehicle commander.

8. Service of the Permanent Staff. A senior non-commissioned officer and two privates will
be nominated for the administration of the course. Student officers under no circumstances will
endeavour to obtain the services of the permanent staff of the AWC for private purposes.

9. Orderlies. The student officers can accompany the orderlies provided that they come on a
movement order. Student officers are permitted to obtain the assistance from orderlies except for
course assignments/exercises. Before these orderlies move out of the college premise, they should
enter in the register which is maintained by the course senior non-commissioned officer. They should
not move around the camp premises in civvies during working hours and the student officers are
responsible for the conduct and discipline of their orderlies. Orderlies are utilised for general duties of
the AWC under the supervision of the Training Centre Warrant Officer (TCWO) in a specific period
of time in all working days. Separate day - today instructions are issued by the GSO 2/ SO 3 (DS Br)
in this regard.

10. Leave. Student officers may proceed on leave during the break periods after filling up the
leave application. No leave will be granted during training periods except on extreme compassionate
grounds. Student officers should first obtain authority from the DS and then formally apply in writing
at least 72 hours in advance through DS Br. All leaves would be sanctioned by the CI. However,
student officers should note that on return from such leave, they will have to be quarantined under
prevailing COVID 19 prevention guidelines and this may results in additional failure.

11. Medical. The Medical Inspection Room remains open 24 hours with the medical orderly
on duty. Any serious patient will be evacuated to the General Hospital Buttala/Monaragala or Base
Hospital - Diyatalawa. Student officers should first inform the GSO 2 - DS Br and then get the AFM
3 prepared from the DS Br, before reporting sick.

12. Guests. Student officers may entertain guests in the Officers’ Mess with the prior permission
from the PMC, but entertainment would be limited to very subtle facilities available in the Officers’
Mess. No guests will be allowed in accommodation areas.

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13. Gifts and Parties to Directing Staff. Student officers are prohibited to offer gifts of any
nature to the DS. It is also incorrect to invite the DS for private parties or functions.

14. List of Personal Belongings and Necessities to be Brought by Student Officers. Student
officers are required to buy their own requirement of stationery during the course. The Training
Support Wing will issue standard stationery for exercises and general use.

15. Points of Contacts. Respective syndicate DS or a sponsor DS will look into your
requirements. Main point of contact is the DS Coord and GSO 2 (DS Br) for any queries during your
stay at the AWC.

LIST OF PERSONAL BELONGINGS AND NECESSITIES

1. Uniforms.

a. Dress No 2, No 4 and No 5.
b. Dress No 6 (Routine Working Dress) 3 x sets.
c. Dress No 7 (Combat) 2 x sets.

2. Plain Clothes.

a. Shirts-long sleeved and slacks (conservative type).

b. Blazer.
c. Shoes (black/brown).
d. Ties.
e. Casual dress.

3. PT Kits.

a. Shorts white (Black track bottom for lady officers).

b. T-Shirts white.
c. Socks white. 1 x additional set
d. Jogging shoes white.
e. Track kit.
f. Track bottom (Navy Blue or Black).

4. Personal Items.

a. Personal computer/Laptop.
b. Printer (optional).
c. Bed sheets, pillow cases, towels etc as required.
d. Table lamp

5. Control Items.

a. 1 GPS.

6. Stationeries. Student Officers should bring sufficient stationery required to follow the course.
Requirement of stationeries are as follows:

a. Duplicating paper - A4 approximately two reams.

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b. Map marking pens (6 x colours) one set.
c. White board marker pens (4 x colours) non-permanent one set.
d. File covers/Tags.
e. Drawing/marker pens, stapler, puncher, ruler, erasers, pens, pencils, paper cutter, clip
board, poster colours and etc.
f. Tracing papers and talc paper 10 meters each approximately.
g. Rewritable CDs/Data Traveller.
h. Any other stationery items as required.

Note: Dress for the Officers’ Mess is Smart Casual.

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