FOUNDATION PHASE

The Foundation Phase is designed to train students to develop an understanding of operations on a Joint-Service and Multinational basis, thereby providing a baseline for the subsequent phases. Amongst others, students are introduced to the principles of command and leadership, as well as new concepts of military doctrine, military decision making, the Manouverist approach and operational art. These subjects are further developed in the subsequent phases.

Emphasis on the teaching of Service Writing has been greatly reduced. It is assumed that students have been adequately exercised at the Junior Course, and have through field experience, had opportunity to practice the subject and improve their skills. The Foundation Phase has 16 Packages as follows:
 

	International Security and Application of Force.
	Joint and Combined Doctrine.
	Combat Power Series (Land, Maritime and Air).
	Nigerian Environment.
	Civil-Military Relations.
	Decision Making.
	Command and Leadership.
	Strategy and Policy Case Studies.
	Routine Staff Work.
	Defence Management.
	General Studies (Computer).
	General Studies (French).
	International Law and Ethics.
	Media Operations.
	Intelligence.
	College Research Paper.

At the end of the Foundation Phase, students are expected to have successfully developed the skills required for the Single Service and the Joint and Combined Services Phases of the Course.
 

 SINGLE SERVICE PHASE

The Single Service Phase falls between the Foundation and Joint and Combined Phases and run for 17 weeks. For administrative convenience, the Phase is split into 2, (Term 2 and 3). Although the Phase runs for 17 weeks, single service subjects are taught for 14 weeks, while 2 weeks are for the Nigeria Environmental Tour and presentations. The remaining week is used for joint lectures. The aim of the Phase is to develop the single Service professional knowledge of officers to enable them function effectively in Single Service, Joint and Combined Operations.

Land Component:.
The Land Component Phase covers a complete range of subjects along the core command and staff skills. The packages in this component include:

a. Fundamentals.
b. Operational Framework.
c. Divisional Capabilities.
d. Intelligence.
e. Command, Command Support and Decision-Making.
f. Operations of War.
g. Close Operations.
h. Rear Operations.
i. Deep Operations.
j. Professional Knowledge of the Army.
k. Training.
l. Operations in Special Environment.
m. Theatre War Game (EXERCISE EAGLE SWEEP).

Maritime Component:.
The Maritime Component is designed to enable naval students develop a thorough understanding of the operational capability of the Nigerian Navy, so that they can obtain maximum benefit from the Joint and Combined Services Phase and effectively fit into a wide variety of future appointments. The packages in the Component include:

a. Fundamentals.
b. Maritime Strategy.
c. Maritime Operations.
d. Maritime Logistics.
e. Professional Knowledge of the Nigerian Navy.
f. Naval Personnel.
g. Command and Staff Skills.
h. Theatre War Game (EXERCISE EAGLE SWEEP).

Air Component:.
The Air Component is designed to provide Air Force students with an in-depth understanding of the air environment and the employment of air power in limited war settings. The students’ knowledge of air power would be developed through the study of the various components of air power and analysis of how they have been used in past campaigns. The Packages of the Air Component include:

a. Fundamentals (General).
b. Air Power Theory, Strategy and History.
c. Core Capabilities of Air Power.
d. Air Warfare Fundamentals.
e. Air Operations Planning and Conduct.
f. Targeting and Weapon Effort Planning.
g. Professional Knowledge of the Nigerian Air Force.
h. Air Power Project.
i. Military and Space Systems.
j. Logistics Support for Air Operations.
k. Air Defence.
l. Civil Air Operations.
m. Theatre War Game (EXERCISE EAGLE SWEEP).

 

 JOINT AND COMBINED SERVICES PHASE

The Joint and Combined Services Phase is the last phase of the Course. The phase is targeted towards harnessing and consolidating the knowledge gained from the Foundation and the Single Service Phases. The Foundation Phase inculcates in the students the skill of planning and understanding at a Joint-Service and multinational basis, while the single Service Phase focuses on the development of a thorough understanding of the tactical and operational levels of warfare. Therefore, the aim of the Joint and Combined Services Phase is to inculcate in officers, the habit of working effectively and harmoniously with those from other Services and nations through the study of joint, combined, multinational and interagency operations and defence as a whole.

The Joint and Combined Phase lasts for 17 weeks and, like the Single Service Phase, is split into 2 (Terms 4 and 5). The Packages covered during the Phase include:

a. Regional Studies of the African Environment.
b. Alliance.
c. Routine Staff Work.
d. International Relations.
e. Joint and Combined Operations.
f. Joint and Combined Training.
g. Internal Security/Low Intensity Conflict.
h. United Nations Peace Support Operations.
i. General Management.
j. Defence Management.
k. Disaster Management and Search and Rescue.
l. Joint Operations Planning.
m. War Game.
n. Theatre War Game (EXERCISE SEA-LION).
o. Realities of War.

 

 WAR GAME

The War Game Package strengthens students understanding of the rules and procedures used in war gaming. Furthermore, the existing single Service exercises, namely ELEPHANT POWER, NAVAL WAR GAME and AIR WAR GAME now have a single joint exercise setting, nick-named EAGLE SWEEP. The exercise is initially played-out at the Nigerian Armed Forces Simulation Centre (AFSC), which is located here in Jaji. These as well as other minor war games of the Single Service Phase serve as a prelude to the final exercise, EXERCISE SEA-LION. This is an operational level campaign involving an expeditionary and intervention operation, which presents a realistic setting to deliver the challenges faced by a joint task force headquarters and its component commanders. It employs the Manoeuvrist approach within a joint environment, incorporating the campaign planning tool. It would also provide an opportunity to produce a Joint Estimate.