National Guard Platoon Commander's Course

Objective of the course: prepare a national guardsman who is able to perform the duties and tasks of the commander of a National Guard infantry platoon independently and qualitatively, thereby improving the combat capabilities of the National Guard’s sub-unit.

Admitted to the course are: national guardsmen with secondary or higher education.

Conditions for admission: 

1. Previous education – at least secondary, Basic Military Training Level 1, Junior Instructor’s Course.

2. Health capacity – health complies with the requirements for service in the NAF or service in the National Guard.

3. Physical fitness – in accordance with MoD Regulations No. 43, “On procedures for the recruitment of national guardsmen, oath giving, concluding of the contract, examination of complaints and suggestions in the National Guard of the Republic of Latvia”.

Course plan: the course is organized in 4 phases in intramural and extramural studies/distance learning.

Phase 1. Infantry Squad Tactics 20 days intramural studies.
For participants who have completed the Combat Endurance Course the training starts with Phase 2. 

Phase 2. The academic module involves both intramural and extramural studies (distance learning). Intramural studies – 10 weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) with a 3-week break. Distance learning is organized extramurally between the intramural classes. Distance learning may be commenced only after the first intramural class. Distance learning lessons, theory and tests will allow to prepare for the next intramural classes. 

Phase 3. Summer Field Camp – 14 days in person.

Phase 4. Internship in a National Guard battalion – 7 days in person.
Final examination of the course – preparation and giving of the commander’s command.

The course will cover the following subjects:

• Infantry Platoon Tactics;
• Small Arms Design and Capabilities;
• Indirect Fire Support;
• Capabilities and Use of Anti-aircraft and Anti-tank Units;
• Combat Engineering Support;
• Adversary and Reconnaissance;
• Combat Sustainment;
• Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Defense
• Communication;
• Medical support;
• Military Law;
• Military Leadership;
• Military Psychology;
• Military Pedagogy;
• International and National Security;
• Environmental Protection (during military exercises);
• Infantry Squad Tactics (for those who have not previously completed the Combat Endurance Course).

Course duration: training takes place for 67 days intramurally and 27 days extramurally.

Curriculum: the course curriculum is completed in 13 months-long intramural and extramural studies. Camp time is synchronized with the NDAL cadet training, internship in the National Guard battalions is synchronized with the NAF military training stage “Namejs.”

Tuition fee: None (tuition financed from the NAF budget).

Training base: NDAL (Riga).

Language of instruction: Latvian

Granting of qualification: a certificate is issued successfully upon the completion of the course and, pursuant to Section 24 of the National Guard Law, entitled “Awarding of a service rank”, a rank – Lieutenant is awarded.

Application: information should be available at your unit of the National Guard.