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THE PfP REGIONAL TRAINING CENTRE (PfP RTC)

The PfP Regional Training Centre was created in 1997, in co-operation with the United Kingdom, based on The Romanian Minister of National Defence Order No. SB/2957/08.26.1997.

Having the original name The Romanian-British Training Centre, it was a part of a large cooperation program between UK MoD and Romanian MoD aimed at " assisting the Romanian Armed Forces in their preparation for possible future membership of NATO"

The first courses were Army Brigade oriented, recognising the preponderance of Land Forces within the Romanian Armed Forces.

On 26-th of March 1999, the NATO Political-Military Steering Committee on PfP approved, at working-group level, the Romanian application to recognise its Training Centre as a PfP Training Centre. At that meeting several nations had commented on the high quality of the syllabus offered by the Romanian Centre and welcomed the continued on-site UK assistance.

On 20-th of April 1999, the North Atlantic Council approved the Romanian application for recognition of their Regional Centre in Bucharest as a PfP Training Centre (Teleteller No 211009Z/20 April 1999), in accordance with the "Concept for PfP Training Centre" [EAPC (C) D (2001) 9], which had been developed with Partners since 1998.

The PfP Regional Training Centre has the mission :

" to promote the wider dissemination of NATO doctrine and procedures, as well as the encouragement of a more flexible ethos and approach within the Romanian officer corps and in those of all EAPC and MD countries, and to also provide, through joint training activities and shared experience, a better understanding of common NATO/PfP related issues amongst students"

The Centre currently runs the following courses:

A) BRIGADE STAFF OFFICER COURSE (BSOC):

Course length - 10 weeks.
Aim: "to educate selected staff officers from all EAPC countries, including Romania, in NATO compatible approach to command, staff, operational and logistic procedures up to brigade level".
Attendance: up to 24 officers from the EAPC countries.

Duration & Capacity.

Duration: 10 weeks.
The course is organized into 2 syndicates, each of 10-12 students, although the maximum course capacity can be raised to 36 if demand requires.

Program.

Instructional periods are between 0800-1400 hrs, Mon-Fri, and teaching is based upon:
- Preparatory readings.
- Central presentations.
- Syndicate room discussions.
- Practical exercises.
The balance between central presentations, syndicate room discussions and practical exercises, by percentage of the total course content, is shown below. The significant percentage in favor of exercises is a reflection of the need to practise the students in their newly acquired knowledge and skills:
- Central presentations 20%.
- Syndicate discussions 32%.
- Practical exercises 48%.

Student Prerequisite.
Although designed for Army officers in the rank of Lieutenant, Captain or Major, those of higher rank will be considered as well as Navy and Air Force students. As the course is designed up to Brigade level, students should be in, or about to assume, staff appointments at SO3/SO2 level within formation HQs or their equivalent within a unit, or a command appointment at company level.

Syllabus: HERE.

English language proficiency required: Level 2.2.2.2.- Stanag 6001.

B) SECURITY POLICY AND EUROPEAN INTEGRATION COURSE

Course length - 3 weeks
Aim: "to train officers and civilians in the spirit of European security culture for staff appointments in the Common Security and Defence Policy framework".
Attendance:up to 15 students and civilians, including 5 foreign students.
Selection criteria: Adequate English language proficiency 2.2.2.2 STANAG 6001; Basic IT skills; Army, Navy and Air Force officers, should ideally rank from Major to Colonel, or their civilian equivalents.

Syllabus: HERE