20 July 2023
Interoperability between Australia and the French Army was strengthened by a visit to St Cyr, the French Army officers’ training academy, in Brittany, France.
For two weeks, I and II Class instructors from the Royal Military College - Duntroon were embedded at St Cyr to observe and participate in the final assessments of the graduating class of French Army officer cadets.
With its origins dating back to 1802, St Cyr provides initial officer training to cadets, selected non-commissioned officers and specialists.
The visit by Captains Jordan Lynch and Kurt Raike identified opportunities for continued cooperation between the Australian and French Army schools to collaborate on training techniques and post-training potential of the future officer corps.
St Cyr’s international engagement director, Lieutenant Colonel Alexandra Joly, said St Cyr was about preparing officer cadets for their future appointments through a combination of military training, academics and personal development.
“[The training ensures cadets can] discern in complexity, decide in uncertainty and act in adversity,” Lieutenant Colonel Joly said.
The training model adopted by St Cyr is arduous but Captains Lynch and Raike observed its many benefits, including company- to platoon-level tactical scenario settings, strengthening of individual and collective resilience through adventure training and the upholding of traditions.
Captain Lynch said visiting St Cyr and working with the French Army had been a privilege.
“Not only have the French been constantly involved in operational deployments for many years, but they’re also an important partner in our near region,” Captain Lynch said.
“Observing and participating in their training has allowed us to understand the journey a French officer takes to commissioning, and take away some lessons in how we can keep improving the training we deliver at Duntroon.”
Lieutenant Colonel Joly said working with France’s international partners was an important component of a French officer’s training.
“It has been a pleasure for us to host the two Australian instructors,” he said.
“Later this year we will send a French instructor to observe how training is conducted at Duntroon, and we hope this is a relationship we can continue to build into the future.”
