Command & Staff College
CURRICULUM
Charter
The mission of the Staff College is to "Impart necessary education to selected officers, enabling them to assume grade-2 appointments and to inculcate in them personal and professional ethics and abilities to prepare them for higher command and staff roles". In order to achieve this mission, instruction in staff duties and staff and command aspects of the operations of war receive a greater emphasis. Stress is laid on the need for good teamwork. Practicable, common sense solutions are sought to tactical problems. Originality is encouraged. The ultimate objective being to equip the future officers of the Army to be able to handle any kind of staff or command problem with an analytical, educated and methodical approach whereby reasonably competent options are highlighted. In order to widen the officers' mental horizon they are also exposed to a cross section of guest speakers on several subjects. This is to improve their understanding of the strategic, geopolitical, economic, social and military aspects of Pakistan and the region.
Instructional Process
General
The College designs, develops, implements and ultimately evaluates the study programmes that prepare officers for grade 2 staff appointments at brigade, division and higher echelons. It grooms officers to assume greater responsibilities of command as they grow in service.
To ensure progressive development of the Course, the syllabus is reviewed each year keeping the requirements of the Army in view. The faculty members, under the guidance of the Commandant and the Chief Instructor, critically review and analyze the aim and scope of each subject, so as to bring them in harmony with the latest doctrines.
Methodology
The College uses the latest methodology and modern technology to provide the highest quality of education and learning environment. The syndicate method is employed to exchange ideas and benefit from the varied experiences, qualifications and opinions of Pakistani and Allied Officers. Self-paced instruction is used for learning facts, techniques and procedures. The College thus blends various methods of teaching techniques to optimize learning.
A syndicate is assigned to a Directing Staff of the rank of Lieutenant Colonel for a period of one term. The Directing Staff have high academic credentials and are amongst the best officers of the Army. They impart instructions, guide and direct the students for the entire duration of the term, after which new syndicates are formed. Hence, each student has four Directing Staff during the academic year. This arrangement provides a fair chance to each student officer, for evaluation and assessment of his performance on the Course.
Course Design
Conduct. The College conducts only one course in a year. The Course starts in July and terminates in June next year. The management and organization of the complete study module for the staff college trainees is spared over 64 weeks.
The pre course study package of 16 Weeks enables selected officers to achieve uniform knowledge base through progressive learning of essential military subjects to develop correct orientation for subsequent integration into Staff Course curriculum.
Prior to the Staff Course, 4 weeks Technical Orientation Term is conducted in the College premises by a nucleus of instructors from the College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. Its mandate is to enable the students to understand the impact of technology on military operations and its application in own environment.
The duration of the Course is 44 weeks. This period is divided into four terms, each of 8 to 12 weeks duration. After the first and third terms students get a well deserved one week break, whereas after the second term the break is of two weeks duration. The allied officers usually plan their tours and travel around Pakistan during these breaks.
The student officers are grouped into four divisions. A division has 10 syndicates of 10-11 officers each. Each syndicate has one or two allied officers. One faculty member acts as the Directing Staff for a syndicate.
Most of the instructions are imparted on syndicate basis. The medium of instruction is English.
A 4 Weeks pre-course training is organized for allied officers on arrival. This training helps than in settling down and understanding the functioning of the College.
Sunday is a closed holiday and Saturday is a private study/research day.
System of Studies
The Staff Course is a self generating course and though the student officers have a Directing Staff for guidance, learning and teaching is through a process of individual study, group discussions, critiques and implementation of plans and formulation of written papers. The Course, generally, is challenging and demands considerable interest from participants.
The curriculum has been divided into three main groups of studies, i.e, Professional Studies, Developmental Studies and Research Studies. The College strives to produce a dynamic staff officer who, with experience, should be able to assume higher command responsibilities.
Professional Studies
Warfare Foundation Studies. This is a comprehensive package covering evolution of warfare, military history including the Islamic art of warfare some introductory lectures on operations at higher level and nature of future war.
Foundation Studies. These studies are designed to acquaint the students with the conceptual aspects of defensive and offensive operations and other related aspects. The Course deals with these in enough depth to enable student officers to apply this knowledge during operations of war as well as in routine command and staff functions.
Staff Duties. The aim is to familiarize student officers with operational and peace time staff duties thus enabling them to apply this knowledge for production of completed staff work at division and brigade levels. The subject has been divided into two categories:
Operational staff work.
Routine staff work.
Operations. This is the most important aspect of the Course wherein student officers study entire spectrum of military operations both conventional and unconventional. Besides attach and defence, these also include Armour Operations, Assault Across Water Obstacles, Built Up Area Operations, Operations in Aid of Civil Power, Desert Warfare, Mountain Warfare, Psychological Warfare and Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Warfare. The students are particularly exposed to the latest trends in Low Intensity Conflict and impact of Information Technology on the warfare. The basic study in this subject begins in First Term and is completed in the Third Term. Third and Fourth Terms contain major exercises and war games related to these operations.
Joint Warfare. This subject deals with basic knowledge about the use of the air force in support of the army, the fundamentals of naval operations and the employment of all three services in joint operations. The study of this subject culminates in the form of a tri-service exercise in which officers from all the three services participate.
Training. This forms an important segment of the curriculum; the aim being to develop an understanding of the mechanics of planning and conducting training at the brigade and division levels. The subject culminates in writing of divisional level exercises by the students under varying terrain and operational environment.
Human Resources Management. To familiarize students with the leadership concepts and management techniques, sufficient time is devoted to this package. A host of experts are also invited to deliver talks on the modern management skills essential for the potential staff officers.
War Games. A number of war games and telephone battles are conducted during the Course. Each lasts for a week and has a different focus, objective, methodology and operational setting. A tri-service exercise is also conducted with participation by students of all services. In these exercises, students are provided the opportunity to apply the acquired knowledge and deepen their understanding of tactics. They practice staff skills, techniques and procedures and get the opportunity to analyze problems, develop solutions, write, speak and interact with other staff members.
Developmental Studies
Developmental Studies block of instruction reinforces professional studies and the contents are designed to
expand a student's horizon, encouraging maturity of thought. This group of studies primarily consists of
five packages: Strategic Studies, Analysis Papers and Seminars.
Strategic Studies. A comprehensive package in which a variety of subjects, both international and regional, focusing on various facets are covered. This block of studies is mostly conducted through lectures by eminent military and civilian guest speakers, who are experts in their own field. The package is progressively developed from preliminary level to complex issues and runs throughout the course in all four terms.
Analysis Papers. In order to develop their ability in grasping the essentials and evolving original and viable options, a number of analytical papers are to be attempted by the students throughout the Course. This provides them an opportunity to refine their writing skills. The activity also helps them to think independently and take positions on important professional and national issues. The students are given adequate time and reference material for study before the conduct of activity. The subjects are either professional in nature requiring a staff response or those concerning international and national issues.
Seminars. The aim of the College seminars is to provide a forum to the students for critical study of a subject of professional importance, with a view to recommending doctrinal, organizational and administrative changes. A variety of eminent civil and military guest speakers deliver their talks on allotted themes, which are followed by an exhaustive interaction with students. Seminars are also conducted by student officers.
Study Tour. To enhance the students awareness of power potential of Pakistan, an inland tour is planned for Pakistan and Allied students which will expose them to the functioning of services Headquarters/Units, Air and Naval installations, important government organisations industrial organisation and indigenous defence production.
Communication Skills. To improve upon personal abilities of the student officers. The package is aimed at developing in our graduates the ability to read critically, think analytically and communicate lucidly.
Research Studies
The aim of Research Studies is to develop an understanding of the research methodology, broaden the outlook of students, deepen their understanding in specific areas and provide stimulus for further studies. Research Studies focus at enhancing the abilities of student officers to carry out research on subjects of general interest and the military profession, and consist of Individual Research Paper (IRP) and Group Research Paper (GRP).
War Studies Degree
Masters in Science Degree Programme:
The College is affiliated with the National Defence University Islamabad for the grant of Masters of Science Degree in Art & Science of Warfare to the officers who possess a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree (i.e. civilian education for 14 years) and successfully complete the Staff Course. Successful graduates of the Course are awarded the symbol of 'psc' (Pakistan staff course).
