HDF NCO Academy in International Focus

“For this reason, it is especially important that the defence attachés receive a picture of how the academy operates” – said Colonel Imre Frankó in connection with the visit. The members of the BMAC first listened to presentations on NCO training, and then gained personal experiences within the framework of dynamic demos about some designated areas of training and preparation at the HDF NCO Academy.

The functions of the HDF NCO Academy are to provide training programs of adequate professional content and quality by covering the whole spectrum of NCO training, and to provide training courses for the entire personnel of the HDF in several fields. Of these, the language, marksmanship and survival courses are much sought after.

Following the presentations, within the framework of four dynamic demos, the attachés gained an insight into those capabilities of the academy that are designated not only due to capability-building in Hungary but also because of the widening international relations. Many instructors of the academy attend other courses abroad as invited guest instructors.

With the assistance of instructors in charge of public road and off-road driving courses, the foreign guests tried out the motor vehicle and truck simulator used for modeling emergencies, as well as the goggles imitating insomnia, fatigue and different influences. They were introduced to the operation of the shooting simulator and its role in NCO training during various simulation practices conducted with the use of realistic assaults rifle and pistol models, while they were testing and assessing their own skills as well.

In the framework of another dynamic demo, the members of the BMAC were informed about the improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that are currently widespread and frequently found in theatres of war around the world, and also about odor samples used as manipulative tools. During a presentation given by a Weapons Intelligence Team (WIT), the attachés also learnt about the proper methods of conducting conventional fingerprint collection.

In what followed, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) trainers demonstrated some simple methods of tying knots and hitches necessary for survival, and the attachés had the opportunity to personally try and practice them.

The foreign defence attachés closed their visit by going on a guided tour of the exhibition on the history of the one-time Royal Hungarian Jutas Honvéd NCO Training and Education Institute.

“Based on the attachés’ appreciative feedback, I think that the program we put together for our guests was interesting and rich in content. Following theoretical introductions highlighting the essence, they had the opportunity to participate in practice sessions closely related to them, so their personal experiences enabled them to form a picture of how soldiers are prepared and trained in particular military skills in reality” – said Colonel Frankó in closing the visit.