South African military training can be traced back to 1786 when the Militere Kweekskool was established by the Dutch East India Company to develop local cadets, but collapsed due to lack of funds.

By the 1920s the unit was re-established at Roberts Heights near Pretoria and renamed the South African Military School.

By 1939, a further six branches had been created: Approximately 150 000 students of all ranks received training at the Army College during the war.

A shoulder flash was developed around 1963 displaying the wildebeest in a roundel of blue and maroon.

The Wildebeest concept had originated from a trophy given to the Military School from the Mounted Rifles.