Curriculum

INTRODUCTION

The basis of successful IMO training is previous training and education focused on basic and specialized combat knowledge and skills. The aim of CAPSOC is to improve the above mentioned knowledge and skills with specific PSO knowledge and skills which are not combat operations. We can divide IMO training into individual basic IMO training, training of functional areas for IMO, pre-deployment training, advanced distributed learning (ADL).

Courses conducted in the framework of progressive and sequential training are organized for all participants (NCOs and Officers) who are going to perform various IMO duties from lower to higher levels, regardless their specialties. The courses are as follows:

(1) Basic PSO Course (BPSOC)

(2) United Nations Staff Officer Course (UNSOC)

(3) NATO Staff Officer Course (NATO SOC)

(4) UN Military Observer Course (UNMOC)

Courses conducted as a part of the training of functional areas are primarily intended for NCOs and officers who will join missions by their specialty (logistics, civil-military cooperation, radio communication, etc.). The requirement for attending these courses is successfully completed BPSOC. These are as follows:

(1) Tactical Civil Military Cooperation Course (TCIMICC)

(2) Communications and Information Systems in Peace Support Operations Course (CISPSOC)

(3) NATO/PfP Logistics Course (NATO/PfP LOGC)

(4) Radio Communications in International Military Operations Course (RADCOMC)

(5) Basic Negotiation Skills Course (BNSC)

Except of the mentioned courses, CAPSOC also conducts pre-deployment trainings intended for personnel who are going to NATO, UN and EU missions, as well as ADL courses.

Top of Page Top page

CATALOGUE OF COURSES

BPSOC (Basic Peace Support Operations Course)

BPSOC Aim: to provide basic knowledge and skills to officers and NCOs for performing tasks in PSO up to company level

Duration: 2 weeks - thrice a year

The number of participants: 15 - 25

Ranks: 2nd Lieutenant - Major; Squad Leader - Sergeant 1st Class

Requirements: English language - STANAG 2222; before attending the course at CAPSOC, one should pass on-line NATO course "Introduction to Rules of Engagement (ROE)" (http://www. pfp.ethz.ch)

Target group: Officers and NCOs- key personnel of the company

Training outcomes:

- Understand political/legal/military framework of conducting peace support operations
- Understand military legal commitments under the International Law of War and Regulation of the Use of Force
- Understand the basics of relationship with media
- Use and apply techniques for collective and individual security in peace operations
- Apply operational techniques in peace operations
- Use negotiation techniques
- Apply basic military navigation skills and international radio procedures

Top of Page Top page

UNSOC (United Nations Staff Officer Course)

UNSOC Aim: To prepare officers from CAF as well as international candidates to perform senior staff duties in UN HQs

Duration: 2 weeks - once a year

The number of participants: 15 - 28

Ranks: Captain - Colonel

Requirements: English language - STANAG 3232; basic PC knowledge

Target group: Officers for performing the staff duties in UN HQs

Training outcomes:
- Describe the UN Crisis Response Operations strategic concept, and to analyse restrictions and interests which govern voting mandates in the UN Security Council
- Describe the role of key civilian organizations and agencies in the operational environment
- Explain documents which define the status of peace support forces and employ code of conduct that regulates behaviour and discipline of force members
- Analyse and use legal and ethical principles that regulate the use of force in peace operations
- Explain functions that enable success of forces in peace support operations (INFO-OPS, CIMIC, PSYOPS, CIS, and CSS etc.)
- Use the operational planning process rules in the capacity of senior staff officer
- Analyse current operations in peace support operations as a staff officer and conduct adequate actions at the HQ of any level
- Explain and apply principles and procedures of public relations, the media included
- Apply formal mediation and other peaceful resolution of conflicts measures, and communicate with warring factions using diplomatic language in a written form

Top of Page Top page

NATO SOC (NATO Staff Officer Course)

Making Decision Process Aim: To prepare Officers and NCOs from the CAF and partner countries to work in national contingents or MN HQ in NATO PSOs

Duration: 3 weeks - twice a year

The number of participants: 15 - 20

Ranks: 1st Lieutenant - Major; Sergeant - Master Sergeant

Requirements: English language - STANAG 2222

Target group: officers and NCOs for duties in national contingents or MN HQ in NATO PSOs

Training outcomes:
- Explain causes and consequences of modern conflicts and international community response with the aim to establish peace and security in crisis areas
- Describe the structure and methods, especially of military decision-making process (MDMP) on the NATO strategic level
- Describe operational planning process with the emphasis on key documents (CONOPS, OPLAN) and implement its principles and steps
- Describe planning process for NATO crisis situations and force generation process on the level of NATO and national contingent in PSO
- Describe the basics of NATO joint operations with the emphasis on PSO (AJP-3, AJP-3.4.1, AJP-3.4.4 draft), basics of joint logistic support, CIMIC operations and information operations, including PSY0PS in details
- Explain generic structure of battle group or brigade in NATO PSO and individual duties of divisions, sections and apply MDMP in PSO on a tactical level
- Apply the skills of staff, inter-personal, organizational and inter-cultural communication, principles of planning and organizing meetings, negotiation and mediation by active use of military interpreters in PSO
- Know the standards of map marking (APP 6A) in details, as well as the standards of radio procedures, and sending and receiving reports in NATO PSO
- Apply communication principles with mass media if appropriate
- Apply the principles of stress management on the individual and unit level in PSO

Top of Page Top page

UNMOC (United Nations Military Observer Course)

Practice Aim: to prepare officers to perform military observer duties in UN peacekeeping missions

Duration: 3 weeks - once a year

The number of participants: 20 - 28

Ranks 1st Lieutenant - LTC

Requirements: English language - STANAG 3232, 5 years of service in CAF, driving licence, basic PC knowledge, maximum age of 53

Target group: Officers for performing the duty of UN military observer in UN peace missions

Training outcomes:
- Actively participate in UN peace missions
- Understand UN structure, system, the main bodies and other agencies
- Understand and apply UN principles such as: code of conduct, sexual exploitation and abuse, gender equality, child protection and humanitarian rights
- Perform observer duty on the level of UN teams and commands
- Observe, investigate and submit reports on the alleged breaking of agreements and incidents in the mission area
- Efficiently communicate with military and civil personnel involved in peace missions, both in writing and verbally
- Recognize and resolve various personal security threats.

Top of Page Top page

TCIMICC (Tactical Civil Military Cooperation Course)

Aim: to provide officer/senior NCOs with skills and knowledge needed for conducting CIMIC activities in PSOs

Duration: 1 week - once a year

The number of participants: 10 - 20

Ranks: Sergeant 1st Class - Colonel

Requirements: English language STANAG 2121; BPSOC; any staff officer course; before attending the course at CAPSOC, one should pass on-line NATO course "PSO CIMIC for Commander and Staff" (http://www.pfp.ethz.c)

Training outcomes:
- Know PSO political/civil environment
- Know PSO military environment
- Efficiently communicate in English, both in speaking and writing
- Explain the need to efficiently communicate with non-military actors in PSO such as GOs, NGOs, international organizations, warring sides and media
- Use techniques of peaceful conflict resolution such as negotiation and mediation
- Apply acquired skills in order to develop a CIMIC draft project and submit it to the commander for approval

Top of Page Top page

CISPSOC (Communications and Information Systems in Peace Support Operations Course)

Orientation Aim: to provide information to liaison officers and NCOs on tactical level of planning and supporting CIS in NATO/PfP multinational operations

Duration: 5 days - once a year

The number of participants: 15 - 25

Ranks: 2nd Lieutenant - Major; Sergeant - Sergeant 1st Class

Requirements: English language - STANAG 2211

Target group: Signal Officers and NCOs from the CAF and foreign partner states

Training outcomes:
- Work in UN and NATO/PfP operational environment
- Participate in NATO/PfP multinational exercises
- Perform CIS duties in multinational staffs and units in IMO
- Use international radio procedures
- Better understand international CIS environment
- Increase the level of performing future duties in the country and abroad

Top of Page Top page

NATO/PfP LOGC (NATO/PfP Logisics Course)

Helcopter Aim: to train participants in logistical procedures and techniques in NATO/PfP and UN missions

Duration: 2 weeks - once a year

The number of participants: 16 - 24

Ranks: 2nd Lieutenant - LTC; Corporal - Master Sergeant

Requirements: English language - STANAG 2222; before attending the course at CAPSOC, one should pass on-line NATO course "NATO Logistics" (http://www.pfp.ethz.ch)

Target group: Personnel qualified in logistics specialties for performing duties in NATO/PfP and UN missions

Training outcomes:
- Apply appropriate logistical knowledge and skills related to logistics specialties
- Prepare, equip and support contingents engaged in PSO
- Arrange services, acquisition of the equipment and resources for operations
- Provide interoperability and efficient logistical support among the participating states (contingents) in multinational PSOs

Top of Page Top page

RADCOMC (Radio Communications in International Military Operations Course)

Orientation Aim: to prepare the participants for maintaining radio communications in international military environment and improve overall knowledge of English (listening, speaking, reading and writing)

Duration: 5 days - once a year

The number of participants: 10 - 20

Ranks any Officer or NCO rank

Requirements: personnel to be engaged in PSO; English language- STANAG 2221

Target group: officers and NCOs, company commanders, platoon leaders, squad leaders, staff officers from CAF and foreign countries regardless of their branch or specialty

Training outcomes:
- Use NATO radio-phone (voice) procedures
- Develop good radio-operator skills
- Understand basic EW terms and measures taken to diminish EW negative effects
- Set up, serve and maintain radio communications through one channel radios (VF, VVF and INMARSAT)
- Develop communication skills in English
- Develop better understanding of international military environment

Top of Page Top page

BNSC (Basic Negotiation Skills Course)

Aim: To familiarize students with basic principles of communication and negotiation and to acquire and develop communication and negotiation skills needed to perform duties in international military operations.

Duration: 4 days - twice a year

Number of participants: 10 - 15

Ranks: Officers (OF-1 to OF-4) and NCOs (OR-4 to OR-7)

Requirements: National or international basic officer course or basic NCO course. Knowledge of English is not required.

Target group: Officers and NCOs who are deployed or planned to be deployed in PSO (UN, NATO, EU) as a part of national contingent as key personnel or performing staff duties in the international staff. Key personnel of other Croatian ministries.

Training outcomes:
- Understand basic negotiation skills
- Apply negotiation skills in various situations, including the crisis situation
- Apply communication principles
- Recognize their own communication mistakes through exercises and be able to correct them
- Become aware of cultural differences in the international environment and behave IAW the highest personal standards
- Use techniques of peaceful conflict settlement such as negotiation and mediation

Top of Page Top page