Active 1927-1972 Allegiance British Armed Forces Type Training | Country United Kingdom Branch British Army Role Officer cadet training | |
The former Mons Officer Cadet School was a British military training establishment in Aldershot.
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History
Mons Barracks was originally constructed from 1926 to 1927 for the Royal Signals. In 1939, Sandhurst became the home of 161 Infantry Officer Cadet Training Unit (RMC): that unit moved to Mons Barracks at Aldershot in 1942, and subsequently became known as the "Mons Officer Cadet Training Unit (Aldershot)". 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, i.e. officer cadets of the Royal Artillery and Royal Armoured Corps.
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.
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.