Arms & Services of the British Army

Give cadets a functional overview of the British Army and the difference between Combat Arms, Combat Support Arms and Combat Service Support.

Duration45 minutes

Learning objectives

  • Explain the difference between Combat Arms, Combat Support Arms and Combat Service Support.
  • Classify major Regiments and Corps by broad function.
  • Match representative Army capabilities to the organisations that provide them.
  • Explain why modern operations depend on combined effort.

Stores & equipment

  • Current British Army organisation source
  • Capability and corps cards
  • Three category mats
  • Mission scenario sheets
  • Display

Safety & assurance

  • Use current official Army sources: structures and names can change.
  • Avoid graphic operational imagery.
  • Do not imply that support personnel are never exposed to combat.
CFIT lesson planIntroduction 10% · Main body 80% · Conclusion 10%
Phase / timeInstructorCadet activityCheck
Introduction0–5 min

Pose a mission: move, communicate, fight, repair, supply and care. Ask what capabilities are needed.

Build a quick capability list.

Recognises interdependence.

Three functional groups5–13 min

Define Combat Arms, Combat Support Arms and Combat Service Support with a simple mission model.

Place example tasks on three mats.

Tasks classified by primary role.

Combat Arms13–20 min

Cover Infantry, Royal Armoured Corps/Household Cavalry and Army Air Corps at an appropriate overview level.

Match capability cards.

Primary roles described accurately.

Combat Support Arms20–28 min

Cover Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, Royal Signals and Intelligence Corps.

Solve ‘who provides…?’ prompts.

Support to close combat understood.

Combat Service Support28–36 min

Group logistics, equipment support, medical/nursing/dental/veterinary, personnel/legal/education, chaplaincy, physical training and music by the effect they provide.

Build a sustainment chain for the mission.

At least five effects matched.

Combined mission36–41 min

Issue a short humanitarian or field mission.

Select a balanced task group and justify it.

Includes fighting, support and sustainment where appropriate.

Conclusion41–45 min

Run category flash test and look forward to the local affiliation.

Answer and identify where their affiliated unit sits.

Three categories and combined effect secure.