Guidance

Defence Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Centre

Updated 17 April 2024

Defence CBRN Centre. All rights reserved.

Overview

The Defence Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Centre (DCBRNC) delivers centralised Subsequent Trade Training (STT) to UK defence on behalf of the Land Warfare Centre (LWC).

The DCBRNC is located at Winterbourne Gunner in the South West of England, near Salisbury. The DCBRNC delivers training annually to roughly 1800 students (regular and reserve) on a range of specialist equipment, across 12 separate course events.

Instruction is delivered by DCBRNC trainers, either in Winterbourne Gunner or in other suitable exercise locations. The DCBRNC owns the quality assurance of all individual training delivered to defence. CBRN instruction is delivered by a specialist Instructor Cadre, the deep technical experts of UK defence.

A short history of the defence CBRN centre

World War 1 trench mortar. All rights reserved.

The DCBRNC site at Winterbourne Gunner was established in 1917 as a Trench Mortar Experimental Establishment under the administrative control of the war department’s ‘experimental ground’ at Porton Down. Known as Porton South Camp, it served as troop accommodation, ammunition store and as the trench mortar and artillery firing point.

The actual involvement of Winterbourne with chemical warfare dates back to the formation of the Chemical Warfare School in 1926. The school conducted training for officers and senior non-commissioned officers (SNCO’s), running courses and regular demonstrations for the services’ staff colleges and other dignitaries.

In 1931, the Chemical Warfare School became the anti-gas wing of the Small Arms School. In 1939 it gained independent status as the Army Gas School, later to be re-named as the Army School of Chemical Warfare. From 1947 to 1948, the school became a joint Army and Royal Air Force (RAF) establishment, named the Joint School of Chemical Warfare. The school taught the defensive aspects of nuclear warfare, and the importance of minimising the effects of nuclear weapons. Accordingly, the school was re-named as the Joint School of Nuclear and Chemical Ground Defence in 1957.

In January 1964, the title changed again to the Defence Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) School, in recognition of the emerging threat posed by biological warfare. A further change was made in 1975 when it became the Defence NBC Centre. Following the 1987 Strategic Defence Review, the RAF assumed UK-lead service responsibility for NBC defence, and in 1999 the Defence NBC Centre became a RAF-administered unit within No. 2 Group.

The replacement of the site’s original World War 1 corrugated tin huts and wooden buildings was completed in 2005, with new messing facilities and state-of-the-art student accommodation. In the same year, the centre changed its name to the Defence Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Centre (DCBRNC) to reflect the change in emphasis from cold war NBC war-fighting, to defence against a wider asymmetric threat. In 2017, the Defence CBRN Centre celebrated 100 years of military training at Winterbourne Gunner.

Today’s DCBRNC has a purpose-built training complex with headquarters, administrative support elements, and the Defence CBRN School with lecture theatres and classrooms. To support the CBRN training, the Centre has a specialised range of scenario-based training facilities and modern troop accommodation. On 1 April 2019, the Defence CBRN Centre transferred from No. 2 Group RAF command to the Royal School of Military Engineering, Army command.

Counter CBRN courses

Soldiers conduct a Chemical Recce in full CBRN Individual Protective Equipment carrying the Lightweight Chemical Agent Detector (LCAD). MOD Crown Copyright.

Joining standards and information

Medical category (physical requirements)

Candidates training at the DCBRNC must be in good health, and physically fit enough to complete the courses. Most of the training involves patrolling and running with weight, while carrying all personal equipment.

English language requirements

International students will require a competent level of English to gain maximum benefit from the training.

Students will need one of the following:

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - standard required: level 5.0
• NATO Standardisation Agency (STANAG) - standard required: level 2
• Common European Framework (CEP) - standard required: level B

Security clearance

Candidates must hold the appropriate security clearance in accordance with Defence Manual of Security Vol 1 (JSP 440). Certificates must be sent to lorna.shackleton558@mod.gov.uk at the Land Warfare Centre with returns of joining instructions.

All DCBRN courses available to international students are classified at Official level. Failure to provide receipt of the Certificate of Security and Assurance (with a photograph of the student) will prevent access to the training establishment and onto the course. There may be some courses which require multiple entry visas, in which case students must contact lorna.shackleton558@mod.gov.uk.

Accommodation and feeding

Whenever possible, international students will be housed in the relevant rank-specific messes. Dietary requirements will need to be notified in advance and will be accommodated by catering staff.

CBRN defence advisors’ course

Personnel demonstrate how to react during a suspected attack during the CBRN defence advisors’ course. MOD Crown Copyright.

Overview

This course is aimed at military personnel within a formation HQ (Battalion/Brigade/Division) or deployed operating base, who are responsible to the commander for the tactical planning and execution of CBRN defence measures and unit CBRN training.

Objectives

The course is designed to train CBRN defence advisors operating at SO2/SO3 level.

Eligibility

Commissioned Officers (OF 1–4) or Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (OR 6–9) filling a CBRN post.

Pre-requisite training/experience

A working knowledge of a (National) Combat Estimate/Planning Process. Experience of briefing up to SO1 level-1 Star level is beneficial.

Duration

2 weeks (10 working days).

CBRN defence cell controllers (BRACIS) course

Cell controllers operating in a CBRN cell providing information to the CBRN Defence Advisor. MOD Crown Copyright.

Overview

This course is for military personnel who manage and carry out functions of CBRN warning and reporting in control or collection centres. It should be noted that the first week is UK (SECRET) communications system-focused, and therefore unsuitable for international students.

Objectives

The course is designed to train CBRN personnel in formation HQ in CBRN planning, data collection, warning and reporting.

Eligibility

Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (OR 6-8) filling a CBRN post.

Pre-requisite training/experience

UK Counter CBRN course and (Preferred) Staff/Formation HQ experience. Instructor or national equivalent.

Duration

4 weeks (20 working days, including 1 week on UK communications).

Counter CBRN assistant course

Students carry out personal decontamination drills. MOD Crown Copyright.

Overview

This course is for military personnel and civilian emergency service personnel who are tasked with delivering training to sub-units under direction of a CBRN instructor, and UK in-service respirator maintenance.

Objectives

The course is designed to train personnel to fit, repair and maintain the UK in-service respirator, and to assist the CBRN instructor in the delivery of Counter CBRN training using current UK in-service sense equipment.

Eligibility

C-CBRN Junior Non-Commissioned Officers (OR 3 and above).

Pre-requisite training/experience

Nil.

Duration

1 week (5 training days).

Counter CBRN instructor course

DCBRNC Instructors brief students before entering the Confirmation Training Facility (CTF). MOD Crown Copyright.

Overview

This course is for military personnel and civilian emergency service personnel who are tasked with delivering CBRN training to units/sub-units under direction of Formation Training Officers. Trained personnel are also qualified to provide Subject Matter Expert (SME) advice to defence advisors and commanders in the planning and execution of operations.

Objectives

To train personnel to deliver CBRN training including use of CS (as a training aid) and pyrotechnics.

Eligibility

Junior non-commissioned officers (OR 4 and above). UK Army reserve courses available.

Pre-requisite training/experience

Counter CBRN assistant course.

Duration

2 weeks (10 training days).

Counter CBRN clinical course

Students on the Counter CBRN clinical course take part in the medical element of the Casualty Decontamination. MOD Crown Copyright.

Overview

This course covers the main CBRN hazards using the all-hazards approach, and looks at medical support from point of exposure through to definitive hospital care at Role 3.

Objectives

To train pre-hospital and hospital personnel in recognition, triage, and management of casualties in a CBRN environment and beyond as a team leader.

Eligibility

This course is intended for medical officers, nurses, and paramedics. Other healthcare professionals will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Pre-requisite training/experience

Advance life support / battlefield trauma life support is desirable, though not essential.

Duration

1 week (5 training days).

Counter CBRN medic course

Overview

This course is designed to train medical personnel in basic Role 1 management of CBRN casualties.

Objectives

To train pre-hospital personnel in recognition, triage, and management of casualties in a CBRN environment.

Eligibility

This course is intended for pre-hospital nurse, paramedics, and military medics. Other healthcare personnel will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Pre-requisite training/experience

Immediate life support / battlefield trauma life support is desirable, though not essential.

Duration

1 week (5 training days).

For international enquiries please contact:

Lorna Shackleton IDT(A) SO2 Ops
International Defence Training (Army)
Land Warfare Centre
Trenchard Lines
Upavon
Wiltshire
SN9 6BE

• telephone: +44 300 166 3037
• email: lorna.shackleton558@mod.gov.uk