British Military Advisory and Training Team (Czech Republic)
Source: gov.uk (2025-05-08)

Military instructor training and personal development courses provided by BMATT (CZ) to promote international cooperation.

BMATT(CZ)

The British Military Advisory and Training Team (Czech Republic) (BMATT(CZ)) is a combined British and Czech team located at Vyškov within the Military Academy of the Czech Armed Forces.

Originating in 2000, BMATT(CZ) is a bilateral UK-Czech defence diplomacy organisation composed of 20 UK and 6 Czech military personnel, with considerable training and administrative support provided by the Czech Army. BMATT(CZ) personnel are high-quality instructors with operational experience from major theatres of conflict.

The team’s mission statement is:

As a bilateral UK-Czech defence engagement organisation, BMATT(CZ) provides military training and training assistance, mentoring and advice to international partners in order to build resilience to state threats, develop the capacity of armed forces and contribute to collective regional security.

British Military Advisory Training Team (Czech Republic) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC8vOQGkPis)

British Military Advisory Training Team Czech Republic video transcript (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6819e30dfb59a222d4f17302/British_Military_Advisory_Training_Team_Czech_Republic_video_transcript.odt) (ODT, 6.38 KB)

BMATT(CZ) offers a range of bespoke training drawn from the following core business:
- Training Design Management (TDM)
- Instructor Training Course (ITC)
- Junior Command & Leadership Course (JCLC)
- Patrol Operator Course (POC)
- Multinational Peace Support Operations Training Course (MPSO)
- Marksmanship Coaching Course (MCC)
- Pre-Deployment Training (PDT)
- Senior Officer Briefing Course (SOB)
Training is delivered in two ways: first, BMATT(CZ) conducts a series of multinational instructor training and personal development courses throughout the year at Vyškov, conducted in English. A typical instructor training course lasts 4 weeks and consists of 30 students from 11 to 15 countries.

Secondly, BMATT(CZ) deploys small teams known as BMATT Deployed Teams (BDTs) each year to contribute to regional security through the delivery of tactical-level training to selected partner nations from Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkans and the Caucasus. A typical deployment is 4 weeks, providing a range of training assistance and advice as requested by the host nation’s MOD.

BMATT(CZ) Vyškov-based courses

Command, leadership and multi-national cooperation are core themes, with courses enabling instructors to teach practical military skills, lead in a tactical environment, and train staff in key planning procedures within a multinational HQ. More than 300 officers, warrant officers, soldiers, marines and police officers of all ranks are trained at Vyškov each year.

The following courses are conducted and based at the Military Academy in Vyškov:
- Senior Officer Briefing (SOB)
- Officer Command & Leadership Course (OCLC)
- Junior Command & Leadership Course (JCLC)
- Patrol Operators Course (POC)
- Instructor Training Course (ITC)
- Marksmanship Coaching Course (MCC)
Senior Officer Briefing (SOB)

Course aims: to brief senior military delegations from partner countries on the multinational training courses conducted at Vyškov, and the range of bilateral assistance and advice BMATT(CZ) provides via its BDT to further develop BMATT(CZ) engagement with each partner country.

Briefings per year: 5 to 8 Duration: 1.5 days Maximum course loading: 8 personnel accompanied by the UK Defence Attaché (DA)

The SOB can be delivered in the host nation if required.

Officer Command & Leadership Course (OCLC)

Course aims: to develop the command and leadership skills of Junior Officers primarily at OF-1/2 level.

Suitable for: OF1 to OF3, with OF1/2 being the most desirable. Nominations will also be considered for SNCOs selected for commissioning.

Courses per year: 2 Duration: 4 weeks Maximum course loading: 30 students per course

Junior Command & Leadership Course (JCLC)

Course aims: to develop the command and leadership skills of junior commanders to better prepare them for planning and conducting operational training within their own unit.

Suitable for: OF1, OR4, OR5, OR6

Courses per year: 2 Duration: 4 weeks Maximum course loading: 30 students per course

Patrol Operators Course (POC)

Course aims: to train and develop the leadership skills, tactics, techniques, and procedures required to operate in small, agile and autonomous teams.

The course develops the basic fieldcraft, patrolling and warfighting skills of junior soldiers and commanders. It also enhances their command and leadership skills, to better prepare them for planning and conducting operations and training within their own unit.

Suitable for: OF1, OR4, OR5, OR6

Courses per year: dependent on demand Duration: 4 weeks Maximum course loading: 30 students per course

Instructor training course (ITC)

Course aims: to provide instructors with the necessary techniques to train conscripts, contracted and professional soldiers in conventional military skills.

Suitable for: OF1, OR4, OR5, OR6

Courses per year: 6 Duration: 4 weeks Maximum course loading: 30 students per course

Marksmanship Coaching Course (MCC)

Course aims: to develop the military education and training of Senior and Junior Non Commissioned Officers so they have the ability and knowledge to improve their units’ Marksmanship standards.

Suitable for: OR5, OR6 and OR7

Courses per year: 2 Duration: 2 weeks Maximum course loading: 30 students per course

BMATT courses handbook 2025 to 2026

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6819d2b281244202c4f0ab87/BMATT_courses_handbook_2025_to_2026.pdf)

BMATT courses handbook 2025 to 2026 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6819d2b281244202c4f0ab87/BMATT_courses_handbook_2025_to_2026.pdf)

PDF, 1.21 MB, 16 pages

BMATT Deployed Teams (BDTs)

BDTs’ tasks are a key part of the unit’s mandate, and around 66% of time and workforce resources are dedicated to this vital defence engagement work. All training is provided free of charge, less a small food and accommodation charge for students from NATO countries attending Vyškov courses.

A typical BDT comprises an officer or WO as team leader and up to 4 OR6 or OR7 as instructors. All will have recent operational experience or will come from employment in key training posts.

Wherever possible, this team is reinforced with BMATT(CZ)-trained instructors serving with the host nation, and the target audience are potential instructors. Ideally the host nation instructors will have attended a BMATT(CZ) course at Vyškov, although this requirement can be met by their having been trained on an earlier BDT. ‘Train the trainer’ is the key to an effective cascade of best practice, which is what BMATT(CZ) instructors strive to achieve.

BDT deployments during 2025 and 2026 are planned to:
- Albania
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Kazakhstan
- Kosovo
- Moldova
- North Macedonia
- Romania
Assignment to BMATT(CZ)

UK and Czech military personnel interested in serving with BMATT(CZ) should contact the Chief of Staff at: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).