Shedding light on the Army Training Authority

Article / December 15, 2023 / Project number: 23-001CADTC

In addition to providing day-to-day higher headquarters management of the organizations responsible for Army-managed individual trade training, complex collective training, and professional military education, there is a side to the Canadian Army Doctrine and Training Centre that is less obvious: its function supporting its Commander as the Army Training Authority (ATA).

Unlike the other Canadian Army lines of governance (Operations, Strategy, and Support) which are housed within Army Headquarters, the Training line of governance fulfilled by ATA is housed within its own level 2 organization. Headquartered in Kingston, Ontario, CADTC is charged with overseeing policy, governance, direction, and resources for training and education of forces for land operations. These items set a crucial foundation for any professional military.

In continental staff system terms, CADTC essentially fulfills the Canadian Army G7 role. The ATA function is performed on behalf of the Army Commander. While maintaining the overall “ATA hat,” Commander, CADTC, leans on supporting commanders for their areas of expertise:

1. Commander, Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre, is the Army Collective Training Authority;
2. Commander, Combat Training Centre, is the Army Individual Training Authority;
3. Commandant, Canadian Army Command and Staff College, is the Army Professional Military Education Authority; and
4. Deputy Commander ATA, who executes day-to-day oversight of the ATA staff from CADTC HQ.

The CADTC G5 branch is more accurately sometimes named the “Army Training Integration” cell, as the team looks to ensure training requirements are met while smoothly onboarding new capabilities and equipment.

Under the ATA umbrella, institutional enablers like the Army Doctrine Centre and the Army Lessons Learned Centre collect, analyze, and promulgate the collective body of knowledge relevant to land operations.

The Army Training Initiatives Group is a small, specialized team of Training Development Officers and Personnel Selection Officers who, among other projects, represent Army interests in Canadian Armed Forces-level discussions and working groups on topics such as career progression models, and individual training and education.

Extensive consultation and collaboration with stakeholders across the Canadian Army, particularly the field force, is critical for success of the ATA function. Frequently, stakeholders extend beyond the Army and Canada. Training with partners and allies builds strategic partnerships, contributes to global security, and enables success on operations as Canada almost always works alongside likeminded nations on international missions. Under the ATA, the International Training Engagements cell coordinates all Canadian Army participation in international training except for with the United States.

Perhaps unexpectedly, the personnel charged with developing and updating the Canadian Army’s Range and Training Area strategy call CADTC home. With over 12,000 square kilometers set aside to enable Canadian Armed Forces training, the team ensures this precious resource is effectively managed today and for future generations of Canadian soldiers.

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