Royal Military Academy Sandhurst

It is located in the town of Sandhurst, Berkshire, though its ceremonial entrance is in Camberley, Surrey, southwest of London.

It also commands the University Officers' Training Corps, which along with the General Staff Centre and Centre for Army Leadership are collectively part of the formation known as Sandhurst Group (RMAS Group) part of Home Command.

[5] The "College Town Gate", which is used for regular access, is located on the west of the Academy on Yorktown Road in Sandhurst.

The collection includes the Gentlemen Cadet registers, historic archives, uniforms, paintings, photographs, and other artefacts.

[11] For the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, the newly created Academy hosted the running leg of the modern pentathlon competition.

[12] In 2012, Sandhurst accepted a £15 million donation from the government of United Arab Emirates for the Zayed Building, an accommodation block, named after the UAE's founding ruler.

[16][17][18][19] In May 2023, an inquest into her death found that the army missed chances to prevent Perks's suicide in failing to recognise signs of stress.

[21] Assessment for regular or reserve direct entry service is undertaken at the same time, in the same groups, to the same standard.

[22] The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst instructors' cadre (group of trainers) is run once every year.

Typically before the 60 candidates arrive on the cadre, they would have had to have passed a 'Divisional pre-selection' course, meaning it would not be unusual for over double the 60 places to be contested.

[27] The RMAS has an academic faculty staffed by civilian researchers with expertise in Communication and Applied Behavioural Science, Defence and International Affairs, and War Studies.

Graduate entrants can gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Leadership and Conflict Studies from the Regular Commissioning Course and then embark on a pathway post-commissioning to complete a full master's degree from a university through further electives and a dissertation.

[29] Alternatively, non-graduate cadets have the opportunity to earn a BSc in Leadership and Strategic Studies through their military service, which is awarded by the University of Reading.

[30] Under the reforms outlined in the British Army's restructuring plan Future Soldier, the Sandhurst Group formation was reorganised, and is under the control of Home Command.

The regular commissioning course is split into three terms, each lasting fourteen weeks (referred to as the Junior, Intermediate and Senior Divisions, identified by differently coloured badges).

There can be additional companies of Army Reserve or 'professionally qualified officers' in the Academy who take part in shorter (1–2 months) commissioning courses.

Each company is commanded by a major and named after a famous battle or campaign in which the British Army fought.

[33] Officer cadets on the regular commissioning course nominate two regiments or corps that they seek to join during Junior Term.

[34] A small number of regular army units are based at the RMAS to provide support for the colleges and their training: The first Sovereign's Parade was held on 14 July 1948, in front of King George VI.

The Sovereign's Platoon, which wears multi-coloured lanyards, using the colours of all three Divisions, is selected on merit and is the best platoon amongst the Division; these officer cadets are chosen from a competition in drill, orienteering, shooting and a cross-country race, ensuring they are of the best in endurance and teamwork.

[41] In the past, the Sovereign's Platoon from the Senior Division formed the Colour Party with the Banner on the left flank of the parade; after the inspecting officer had completed inspection, the Colour Party would move to the centre place of the parade before the Saluting Base, awaiting the new Sovereign's Platoon to take possession of the Banner.

[46] The MacRobert Sword is awarded to the Officer Cadet considered by the Commandant to be, overall, the best of the Short Commissioning Course.

[48] In recognition of sustained and exemplary performance of merit and superb representation of their countries the Royal Military Academy.

The Royal Engineers designed the original Chapel, which features red brick, terracotta moulding, interlocking pediment copies and corbels in 1879.

The chapel was dedicated by King George VI on 2 May 1937, after architect Captain Arthur C. Martin enlarged the building in a Byzantine style.

Some memorials, including one honouring alumni of the US Military Academy at West Point, are carved into the black marble flooring.

Old College buildings
A RMAS community open day
Passing out parade
New colours are presented to RMAS, June 2005. Prince Harry (at attention, to left of horse) is on parade.
Open Day at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
The 149th Sovereign's Parade in front of Old College
Royal Memorial Chapel south aspect
Sandhurst Medal ribbon bar