There is Armoured Corps and there is a younger cousin: The Mechanised Infantry, a lethal combination of man and the beast on the battlefield. So what exactly is mechanised infantry? It’s an arm of the Army that uses armoured vehicles or infantry fighting vehicles to transport and empower infantry units as opposed classical light infantry which can operate on its own, independent of any transport.
As warfare evolved, the Indian Army felt the need to have mechanised infantry in its armoury. In 1979, Mechanised Infantry regiment, one of the youngest in its history, was raised.
The Mechanised Infantry Centre and School (MIC&S) was co-located with the Armoured Corps School and Centre at Ahmednagar, now Ahilyanagar.
The MIC&S was raised based on certain existing assets and evolved its organisational structure to meet the training requirements of the mechanised infantry. For mechanised infantry soldiers, this institution is a womb to tomb story. They are initiated into soldiering over here, and spend the last few weeks of their service again in the same premises to complete administrative issues before they retire. For officers too, this is the place where they start their learning curve in the Young Officers course and repeatedly revisit the School for various courses, or as an instructor.
The institution is divided into a battalions, with each battalion imparting knowledge and skill sets in certain specified areas of soldiering.
Infantry Training Battalion, MIC&S
The training of Agniveers starts at the Infantry Training Bn. The focus is on weapon training and combat skills. At the end of the training cycle in the Infantry Training Battalion, trades are allotted to the individuals, depending on aptitude tests and vacancies available.
Driving & Maintenance Training Battalion, MIC&S
The battalion is required to produce full fledged drivers in four weeks’ time. The emphasis is on full utilisation of simulators, followed by driving behind the wheels on unpaved tracks, followed by paved roads and finally highways.
Composite Training Battalion, MIC&S
The role, tasks and drills, practices of a mechanised infantry soldier are quite different and hence specialised training on Infantry Combat Vehicles is given ay this battalion. He is also trained on computers and makes an entry into the technology driven battlefield.
Mechanised Army Courses Battalion, MIC&S
This battalion runs various courses for officers and other ranks. The future leaders of the mechanised infantry undergo training here.
Adm & Depot Battalion, MIC&S
The primary function of this establishment is to prepare retiring soldiers for the next innings in life. The documentation of retiring personnel and opportunities for employment post-retirement, are pursued here.
The emphasis is on discipline, building team spirit, physical fitness and mental robustness. It’s an institution at par or better than the best in the class institution of any army.
