Phase 2 training is the 'Special to Arm' training that is required to prepare soldiers who have recently completed their basic Phase 1 training, to enable them to take their place in field force units of their Regiment or Corps. This phase of training has no fixed period and courses vary considerably in length. The 2001 Defence Training Review triggered a rationalisation of Phase 2 training facilities towards a joint service provision, where appropriate.

As of early 2005, Phase 2 training for the major Arms and Services of the British Army is carried out as follows:

Infantry  -  Infantry recruits do all of their recruit training (Phase 1 and Phase 2) at the Infantry Training Centre at Catterick.

The Royal Armoured Corps  -  Training takes place at the Armour Centre at Bovington Camp and Lulworth. Recruits into the Household Cavalry Regiment also undergo equitation training.

The Royal Artillery  -  Training takes place at the Royal School of Artillery at Larkhill in Wiltshire.

The Royal Engineers  -  Training takes place at the Combat Engineering School at Minley, the Construction Engineer School in Chatham and Blackwater and the Defence Explosive Ordnance Disposal School.

Royal Signals  -  Training takes place at the Royal School of Signals at Blandford in Dorset. Since April 2004, the Defence College of CIS (DCCIS), based at Blandford, subsumed the responsibilities of the Royal School of Signals (RSS), and the provision of Royal Navy and Royal Air Force Signals training.

Army Air Corps �?Training takes place at the School of Army Aviation in Middle Wallop

The Royal Logistic Corps �?Training takes place at the RLC Training Regiment and Depot at Deepcut and the School of Logistics at Marchwood �?previously under the joint Defence Logistic Support Training Group (DLSTG,) and since April 2004 under Defence College of Logistics (DCL), also based at Deepcut. Under these new arrangements, ATRA is also responsible for Royal Navy and Royal Air Force Logistics training. The Army School of Catering, Aldershot , the Army School of Ammunition at Kineton and the School of Petroleum, West Moors are also ATRA logistics training facilities, as is the Defence School of Transport at Leconfield.

Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers  -  Vehicle Mechanics are trained at Bordon and other trades at Arborfield. Since April 2004, the Electro Mechanical elements of the ATRA REME Training Group transferred to the new Defence College of Electro Mechanical Engineering under the command of the Naval Recruiting and Training Agency (NRTA). The Aeronautical elements of the REME Training Group transferred to the Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering under the command of the RAF Training Group Defence Agency (TGDA). The ATRA REME Training Group ceased to exist in name at the end of 2003.

The Adjutant General's Corps   -  Pay and Clerks are trained at the AGC Depot at Worthy Down near Winchester and the Royal Military Police at Chichester. The Army School of Training Support is at Upavon, the Defence School of Languages at Beaconsfield and the Defence Animal Centre at Melton Mowbray. From April 2002, the School of Finance and Management, previously part of the Group and located at Worthy Down, became part of the Defence Academy, although it will remain at Worthy Down for the present. From April 2004, the Adjutant General's Corps Training Group (AGCTG) and Royal Military Police (RMP) training school transferred to the command of the RAF Training Group Defence Agency (TGDA) at the new Defence College of Police and Personnel Administration. Also from April 2004, responsibility for the Defence Animal Centre came under the Defence College of Logistics.

Intelligence Corps  -  Have trained since 1997 at the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre (DISC) in Chicksands in Bedfordshire. The DISC is responsible for training all personnel in intelligence, security and information support. In June 2003, command of the Defence School of Languages transferred to DISC, although the school remained at Beaconsfield.

Army Medical Services (AMS) - made up of the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC), Royal Army Dental Corps (RADC), Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps (QARANC), and the Royal Army Veterinary Corps (RAVC). Training is conducted by the joint service Defence Medical Training Organisation at Aldershot and Birmingham, the Defence Dental Agency at Aldershot, and the RAVC training centre at Melton Mowbray respectively.

RATIONALISATION OF PHASE 2 TRAINING

The MoD expects further rationalisation of Phase 2 specialist training by early 2006. It intends to modernise and improve specialist training by rationalising training delivery and facilities on joint service rather than single service lines, and through the more efficient use of a reduced training estate. A partnering arrangement with industry is envisaged to take this programme forward. Two contractual packages are envisaged, comprising: 

Package 1: Aeronautical Engineering, Electro-Mechanical Engineering and Communication and Information Systems.

Package 2: Logistics, Police and Personnel Administration and Security, Languages, Intelligence and Photography.

LENGTH OF SERVICE

As a general rule, all recruits enlist on an Open Engagement. This allows a recruit to serve for 22 years from their 18th birthday or date of attestation, whichever is the later, and so qualify for a pension.

A soldier enlisted on this engagement has a statutory right to leave after four years reckoned from the 18th birthday or from three months after attestation, whichever is the later, subject to giving 12 months notice of intention to leave and providing the soldier is not restricted from leaving in any way. Certain employments, particularly those involving a lengthy training, carry a time bar which requires a longer period before soldiers have the statutory right to leave.

For the initial period after joining the Army individuals are able to be 'Discharged As Of Right' (DAOR). There is no obligation to stay during this time. The length of the period of DAOR is six months for under 18s and three months for over 18s after turning up at the Army Training Regiment. Individuals after this time are committed to serve for a minimum engagement of four years. There are of course allowances made for medical and exceptional compassionate circumstances.