Credo van die Offisier
As offisier verklaar ek my bewustheid van die waardige tradisie van die Suid-Afrikaanse Weermag en aanvaar ek die beginsels soos vervat in die Grondwet van die Republiek van Suid-Afrika.
Ek onderneem om as lid van die Offisierskorps hierdie bewustheid met die hoogste standaard van integriteit, lojaliteit, gehoorsaamheid en trou uit te leef. As offisier van die SA Infanteriekorps beloof ek om:
� nooit my eie voordeel te soek nie, maar altyd te beywer vir die hoogste heil van my volk en my land
� my verantwoordelikheid en plig met edelheid van gees, nougesetheid, ywer, vreesloosheid en vasberadenheid te vervul
� diegene onder my bevel se belange bo my eie te stel en hulle met 'n goeie voorbeeld voor te gaan
� regverdig en onpartydig te wees met die toepassing en aanbeveling van beide beloning en straf
� die krygsuitrusting wat aan my toevertrou is in stand te hou, versien en gebruik met onberispelike sorg, akkuraatheid en noukeurigheid.
Ek gee aan God die hoogste eer en aanvaar Horn as die hoogste gesag oor my lewe en sy Woord is my finale lewenskode.
My woord is my verbond tot vertroue en ek sal myself daaraan toewy om die gees van hierdie belofte te handhaaf.
As an officer I declare my awareness of the worth tradition of the South African Defence Force entrust­ed to uphold the principles embodied in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
I accept, as a member of the Officers Corps, to live up to this awareness with the highest standards of integrity, loyalty, obedience and allegiance.As an officer of the SA Infantry Corps I promise:
� never to seek my own advantage, but always to strive for the greatest well-being of my people and my country
� to perform my responsibility and duty with nobility of spirit, conscientiousness, vigilance, fearless­ness and determination
� to place the needs of those under my command, above my own and to seta good example
� to be fair and impartial with the application and recommendation of both rewards and punishment
� to maintain service and use with utmost care and precision, the arms and equipment entrusted to me.
I honour God with the highest praise and accept Him as the highest authority in my life, and His Word is my ultimate code of living.
My word is my trust of bond and I will dedicate myself to uphold the spirit of this creed.
Die Belofte van die Onderoffisier
Hiermee aanvaar ek die rang van 'n onderoffisier, 'n leier van manne. As onderoffisier is ek nou lid van 'n geeerde korps wat ook bekend is as die Ruggraat van die Leer.
Hier in die teenwoordigheid van my Skepper, my naasbestaandes, my offisiere, my mede-onderoffi-siere en soldate van my eenheid, belowe ek plegtig as volg:
� Dat ek met trots en waardigheid die tradisie van die onderoffisierskorps, die Weermag en my land eervol sal dien � ongeag die situasie waarin ek my mag bevind.
� Ek sal nie my rang of posisie misbruik om plesier, wins of persoonlike veiligheid te verkry nie.
� My leuse is bekwaamheid. Twee basiese verantwoordelikhede sal altyd by my voorrang geniet, naamlik die vervulling van my roeping en die welsyn van my manne. Ek sal daarna streef om
taktiese en tegniese meesterskap te handhaaf. Ek is bewus van my rol as 'n onderoffisier. Ek sal die verantwoordelikhede, wat eie aan die rol is, vervul. Alle soldate is geregtig op voortreflike leierskap.
� Ek sal die leierskap verskaf. Ek ken my manne en ek sal altyd hulle belange bo my eie stel. Ek sal regverdig en onpartydig wees met die aanbeveling van beide beloning en straf.
� Die offisiere in my eenheid sal genoeg tyd he om hulle verpligtinge na te kom; hulle sal nie nodig he om myne na te kom nie. Ek sal sowel hulle respek en vertroue as die van my manne waardig wees.
� Ek sal lojaal wees aan diegene saam met wie ek dien, hetsy seniors, gelykes of ondergeskiktes. Ek sal inisiatief aan die dag le deur korrek op te tree indien daar nie bevele gegee is nie. Ek sal my integriteit nie laat aantas nie. Ek sal nooit verget, of my kamerade toelaat om te vergeet, dat onsonderoffisiere is nie � Leiers van Manne!
Met die bystand van die Here is dit vir my moontlik. Ek beloof.
The Promise of the Non-Commissioned Officer
Hereby I accept the rank of non-commissioned officer, a leader of men. As a non-commissioned officer I am now a member of a time-honoured corps, which is known as the Backbone of the Army.
In the presence of my Creator, my next of kin, my officers, my fellow-non-commissioned officers and soldiers of my unit, I solemnly promise:
� With pride and dignity I will honourably serve the tradition of my corps of non-commissioned officers, the military service and my country, regardless of the situation in which I find myself.
� I will not use my rank or position to attain pleasure, profit, or personal safety.
� Competence is my watch-word. My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind � accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my men. I will strive to maintain tactical and technical proficiency. I am aware of my role as a non-commissioned officer.
� I will provide that leadership. I know my men and I will always place their needs above my own. I will communicate consistently with my men and never leave them uninformed. I will be fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment.
� Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties; they will not have to accomplish mine. I will earn their respect and confidence as well as that of my men.
� I will be loyal to those with whom I serve, seniors, peers and subordinates alike. I will exercise initiative, by taking appropriate action in the absence of orders. I will not compromise my integrity, nor my moral courage. I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to forget that we are non-commissioned officers � Leaders of Men!<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
By the grace of God, it is possible for me. I promise.
Geskiedenis van die Infanterieskool
Op 1 Julie 1912 is die "South African Military School" by die ou Presidentswoning in Bloemfontein gestig. Die Skool se naam is op 1 November 1912 verander na "The School of Musketry" en na Tempe in Bloemfontein verskuif.
Met die uitbreek van die Eerste Wereldoorlog in 1914, is die skool by Tempe gesluit en al die staflede na Potchefstroom verplaas. Hierdie staflede was vir die daaropvolgende aantal jare verantwoordelik vir die opleiding van vrywilligers vir oorsese diens.
Gedeurende 1920 is die "South African Military School" by Roberts Heights - nou Voortrekkerhoogte - herstig. Die status van Kollege is in 1924 aan die Skool toegeken as gevolg van die opleiding van eerste groep Staande Mag Kandidaatoffisiere. Die Skool is net na die uitbreek van die Tweede Wereldoorlog in 1935 met 5 takke vergroot en het uit die volgende bestaan:
e. Nasionalle Reserwe Vrywilligers
f. Verbeterings en Vermomingstak
g. Chemiese Oorlogvoeringstak
h. Regimente Opleiding
Gedeurende die jare 1940 - 1945 is sekere van bogenoemde takke verskuif. Die Regimentsopleiding is in die Wapenleer tak oorgeneem. Dit was gedeurende hierdie periode dat die idee van 'n onafhanklike Infanterieskool gebore is.
In November 1953 the Weapon Training Branch was officially renamed the Infantry School in terms of SADF order No. 206/53, but this renamed unit remained an integral part of the South African Military College.
On 1 October 1963, after having been a ghost unit for almost 10 years, the Infantry School was finally established as a self accounting unit. At this stage and until 1 January 1964, Maj J. H. Rossouw, SAIC, was appointed Acting Officer Commanding. It was during this period that the decision to move the Infantry School to Oudtshoorn, its present location, was taken.
History of the Infantry School
On 1 January 1964 the new, fully fledged Infantry School opened its portals in Oudtshoorn to admit its first students under the command of Cmdt M. N. Horner, SAIC. Since that day, the School has undergone two major metamorphoses. The first being in January 1974 when, in addition to its established role, it assumed the role of the unit where National Servicemen Junior Leaders were trained. The second occured in December 1976 when it was decided to remove virtually all CF courses from the School and transfer them to Danie Theron Combat School in Kimberley.
In January 1977 another historic event occured at the Infantry School viz the advent of the first prospective Cadette Officer intake of then recently qualified teachers. In those years, the unit had shouldered its share of the burden of duty in the operational area. Later on it had become policy to send companies of National Servicemen to the operational area as part of their training as Junior Leaders.
1977 was 'n jaar van historiese hoogtepunte, afgesien van die Vaandel wat op 1 Oktober 1977 ontvang is, is die Vryheid van Oudtshoorn op 15 Desember deur die Stadsraad aan die Infanterieskool toegeken.
Op 28 maart 1980 het die Infanterieskool sy eie lied van die bekende Dirkie en Doll de Villiers ontvang. Op 'n luisterryke seremonie is die lied deur die bevelvoerder Kol W. G. Kritzinger, ontvang en vir die eerste keer deur die Koor gesing.
Gedeurende Desember 1980 is die Exerce Perfectioni Beeld deur die Stadsraad van Oudtshoorn aan die Skool oorhandig. Die beeld, wat dear Genl Magnus Malan onthul is, het die trots van ons talle kultuurskatte oorgewen. Die Infanterieskool Embleem, twee gekruisde bajonette, was simbolies van die koue staal waarmee ons teen die vyand optree het.
Die Bevelvoerders van die Infanterieskool was:
a. Kmdt (Kol) M. N. Horner
b. Kmdt (Kol) V. A. J Torlage
c. Kol (Genl Maj) H. K. J. van Noorden, SM
d. Kol (Lt genl) R. F. Holtzhausen, SSAS, SD, SM
e. Kol (Brig) D. J. Mortimer
f. Kol (Genl Maj) R. Badenhorst, SD
g. Kol (Brig) W. G. Kritzinger
h. Kol C. J. Serfontein
i. Kol H. J. Schultz
Message from the Chief of the South African Army,
Lt Gen A. J. Liebenberg, SD
Being a culturally affiliated member of the Infantry School, it gives me great pleasure to say a few words to you.
The infantry school can justifiably be regarded as the pride of the South African Army. This not only because of its achievements, but above all the unit's undoubted ability to attain those goals set in terms of manpower utilization, equipment, finance, research and especially its training task. My sincere thanks to all who have contibuted to this during 1985.
The year draws rapidly now to its close and although the junior leadership course will then be something of the past, it does not mean that the task has been fulfilled. An even greater challenge and responsibility now awaits everyone of you as a junior leader. You have been trained to lead and to train, a task you are well equiped for and for which you have the qualities. However, I must stress that continuous hard work and sacrifice will be required in order to be a successfull leader. Use every opportunity, thus ensuring personal satisfaction and success in your efforts to strive towards National goals.
To the Town Council and Community of Oudtshoorn, my heartfelt thanks for your ever positive attitude towards the Infantry School. Rest assured this is very much appreciated.
To the Officer Commanding Infantry School and his staff, success and prosperity are my wishes for 1986, we know that you possess enthusiasm and zeal.
To every junior leader who has acquired rank, my heartfelt congratulations. Wear your rank with dignity and pride in the full knowledge that you are now part of the leadership corps of a winning team.
Boodskap van die Hoof van die Leer,
Dit is vir my baie aangenaam om as kultureel geaffileerde lid van die Infanterieskool op hierdie wyse met u te kan kommunikeer.
Die Infanterieskool kan met reg as die trots van die SA Leer beskou word, nie net van prestasie wat bereik is nie, maar veral van die feit dat die eenheid in sy doel slaag ten opsigte van mannekragbenutting, uitrusting, finansies, navorsing en veral sy opleidingstaak. My opregte dank aan elkeen wat die afgelope jaar 'n bydrae hiertoe gelewer het.
Met die aanbreek van die einde van hirdie jaar beteken dit nie dat die taak nou afgehandel is nie. Inteendeel, die verantwoordelikheid raak al groter. Die Bevelvoerder en sy staf moet reeds 1986 voorsig hou en die junior leiers wat die kursus vanjaar suksesvol afgele het se taak begin nou eers. Dit is waarvoor u opgelei is, om op te lei en leiding te neem. U is goed toegerus en u het reeds bewys dat u oor die eienskappe beskik om suksesvol te wees, maar ek moet u egter meerdeel dat daar steeds oplewering en harde werk gaan wees. Maak gebruik van die geleenthede wat aan u gebied gaan word en ek kan u verseker dat u baie bevrediging gaan put en dat u 'n groot bydrae sal lewer tot bereiking van Nasionale doelwitte.
My opregte dank en waardering aan die Statsraad en Gemeenskap van Oudtshoorn vir die positiewe gesindheid wat u openbaar teenoor die Infanterieskool en ek verseker u dat hiedie gesindheid wederkerig is.
Aan die bevelvoerder en staf van die Infanterieskool, sterkte vir die jaar wat voorle. My gelukwens aan elke junior leier wat rang verwerf het. Dra u rang met waardigheid en trots in die wete dat u deel is van die leierskap van 'n wenspan.
Boodskap van Bevelvoerder Kommandement Suid-Kaapland,
Brig C. van Rooyen
Die 1985 opleidingsjaar was in baie opsigte, 'n uitdagende jaar. Een van my doelwitte was om nou saam met die bevelvoerder, staf en studente van die Infanterieskool die opleiding mee te maak. Ongelukkig het toestande in die kommandementsgebied my aandag elders gevorg, maar daar was tog tyd om nou en dan die lief en leed te deel.
I wish to thank the Officer Commanding, Colonel H. J. Schultz, for his whole-hearted support and loyalty. The praiseworthy example he set worked contagiously on his staff and students, to the extent that co-operation between Southern Cape Command and the Infantry School was fostered in a spirit of mutual understanding and friendship. A word of appreciation for the stalwart support by the Army Women's Association is also not amiss. They were always willing and full of good cheer even in the absence of their husbands and sweethearts.
Message from Officer Commanding Southern Cape Command, Brigadier C. van Rooyen
1985 again showed that the winning recipe is still working and that winners write history. Winners were produced at every level: the best corps school, the best financial administration, good ambassadors when deployed in the emergency area. We are very proud of producing the fittest soldier in the SA Army and also of our posted sports teams. Southern Cape Command again won the SMR Shield for the sixth successive year.
Nou moet hierdie wengees en kameraderie uitgebou word, veral daar waar die junior leier homself gedeurende 1988 gaan bevind. Daar is geen alternatief vir wen nie en alleenlik deur begrip te toon vir mekaar se sieninge en verwagtinge sal ons almal kan produseer. My wense vir die leiers van 1985 in dat hulle die toekomwisie sal openbaar wat nodig is, nie sal huiwer om beslissings te neem nie en ferm maar regverdig sal bevel voer. 'n Gesieende Kersfees en 'n suksesvolle 1985 word u toegewens.
Boodskap van die Bevelvoerder Infanterieskool,
Kol H. J. Schultz
Betrokkenheid is 'n groot deurgde. Die feit dat u die junior leierskursus suksesvol afgelei het dien as bewys daarvan dat u deurentyd betrokke was, ook onder moelike omstandighede, en daarvoor se ons dankie.
Die vyandelike aanslag teen die RSA raak by die dag erger en juis daarom is dit baie belangrik dat u gedeurende die tweede jaar diensplig nog meer betrokke sal raak, waar u uself ookal mag bevind. Om 'n leier te wees hou sekere persoonlike voordele in, maar dit moet onder geen omstandighede 'n oormagende faktor wees nie. As 'n leier van manne word 'n groot verantwoordelikheid op u skouers geplaas deurdat u hierdie manne in 'n span sal moet saamsnoer, oplei en aanvaar om sodoende 'n suksesvolle bydrae te lewer ten opsigte van organisiersdoelwitbereiking. Baie geluk met die verwerwing van u rang. Welkom in die leiergroep van 'n uitstekende leer en ek wens u sterkte toe vir die taak wat voorle.
'n Woord van dank en waardering word ook gerig aan elke ouer, eggenote, ander familielid en vriendin wat ons saak die afgelope jaar vergemaklik het deur lojaliteit en ondersteuning. Die rol wat u gespeel het in die bereiking van die ideaal van elke student word nie gering geag nie.
Aan die Staande Mag, Dienspligtige en Burgerlike staflid wat die afgelope jaar sy/haar bydrae gelewer het te bereiking van doelwitte ook 'n woord van dank. In baie opsigte het die jaar groot uitdagings gebied, wat almal suksesvol te bowe gekom is. Die bewys daaraan is die trotsheid en aanprysings wat die eenheid ontvang het. In hierdie proses moes ons families ook opoffer en die onbaarsugtige wyse waarop hulle dit gedoen het ook waardeer.
Alle eer aan ons hemelse Vader, sonder wie se genade ons tot niks in staat sou wees nie. Ons bede is dan ook dat Sy leiding u onderskraging mag wees in die jaar wat voorle.
Col H. J. Schultz, OC of Infantry School
Maj Genl H. J. Schultz, as he retired from service.
Message from the Officer Commanding,
Col H. J. Schultz
Involvement is a great virtue. The fact that you passed the junior leadership course is enough proof that you have been involved, also under difficult circumstances, therefore many thanks to you all.
However, the onslaught by our enemies becomes fiercer by the day with the effect that it will be expected of you to be even more involved during the second year of National Service, wherever you may be posted. To be a leader entails certain personal advantages, although this should never be the predominant factor. A great responsibility awaits you as a leader of men, to train them and to lead them in battle, thus contributing towards organisational goals. Our heartiest congratulations with your achievement on attaining rank. We welcome you into the leader corps of an excellent Army and wish you all the best for the task awaiting you.
A further word of thanks is extended to every parent, wife, other relation and girlfriend who contributed during 1985 to the easing of our task through loyalty and support. Your role in the achievement of our young men is never under estimated.
To all my staff, Permanent Force, National Servicemen and Civilians, accept my appreciation for a job well done in reaching our goals, of which the trophies and commendations the Unit received stand as proof. In this process our families who had to sacrifice a great deal and the manner in which they did so is most sincerely appreciated.
However, all the honour and glory to Almighty God, for without His grace and guidance we would not be able to succeed. We also trust that His guidance will be your support during the following year.
Boodskap van RSM Infanterieskool AO1 D. J. Vorster
Gedeurende 1985 was dit u beurt om hier opgelei te word en my gelukwense aan elkeen wat rang verwerf het, dit op sig wel is 'n prestasie. Maar, die feit dat u die kursus suksesvol voltooi het, beteken egter nie dat u nou kan agteroorsit en dink die taak is afgehandel en verby nie. Inteendeel, u taak begin nou eers en dit gaan van u nou afhang of u 'n sukses daarvan gaan maak of nie. Die grondslag is reeds die afgelope jaar gele en u kan met vertroue daarop voorthou.
Die raad wat ek wil gee is, wees slegs tevrede met die beste, maar, moenie afsydig staan teenoor jou onderlinge. Slegs deur spanwerk sal u bo uitkom.
My beste wense vergesel u, waar u ookal gedeurende 1986 gestasioniseer mag wees.
Message from RSM Infantry School WO1 D. J. Vorster
During 1985 it was your turn to be trained at the infantry school and my congratulations to everyone who acquired rank, it is a great achievement. However, the fact that you are a junior leader does not mean that you may now sit back and think that you've already achieved the ultimate. On the contrary, it is now your turn to show that you are able to execute the task that you were trained for. Thus, you can be confident that you start off from a firm basis that has been built during the junior leadership course.
I would like to give you some advice. Be demanding and be content only with the best, but you must also realize that you cannot be aloof towards your subordinates. You will only achieve your aims through teamwork.
My best wishes accompany you, wherever you might be stationed during 1986.
Boodskap deur sy agbare Die Burgemeester van Oudtshoorn, Raadslid Arnold J. de Jager
Dit is met besondere mate van trots en waardering dat ek vir die tiende agtereenvolgende keer hierdie ere-geleentheid gegun word om die jaarblad van die Infanterieskool as forum te gebruik om myself, ook namens die Statsraad en gemeenskap van Oudtshoorn, tot alle lesers van hirdie pragtige blad te rig.
Vir meer as 21 jaar reeds het die Infanterieskool op alle lewenstereine sy staal getoon. Dit is hier waar, getroue aan die refrein van die Infanterieskoollied, jong leiers in die smeltkroes van ondervinding "gevorm" word en op wie se skouers die verantwoordelikheid vir die toekoms van ons land rus.
Kenmerkend aan die eise van die tyd waarin die Republiek van Suid-Afrika en sy mense hom tans bevind, sal in die toekoms in 'n steeds toenemende mate, groter verantwoordelikheid van ons toekomstige leiers op haas alle lewenstereine beskerm word.
Met die goddelike opdrag om "Die swaard op te neem en beskerming teen die kwade" kan ek u verseker, is Oudtshoorn en sy mense gerus in die wete dat die toekomstige leiers wat u hier by die Infanterieskool oplei aanwel u besonder hoe standarde sal kan voldoen aan die mag wat in die toekoms vir ons en volk hier aan die suidpunt van Afrika voorle.
Message from His Worship the Mayor of Oudtshoorn,
Counciller Arnold J. de Jager
The initial association between the town of Oudtshoorn and the Infantry School was limited to our geographical proximity. Over the years the town and the school have, however, become synonamous and this has developed into a spirit of mutual respect which culminated in this close bond of mutual alliance that permanently exists between us.
Oudtshoorn is indeed proud to benefit from the fine regulation of your illustrious unit which has already won international awareness, and which has so jealously been safeguarded over the years.
My heartiest congratulations go to the Officer Commanding, Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Students of this unit, the pride of the SADF for the ardent manner in which service to our Fatherland "Rules Supreme" in their thoughts and deeds.
Van harts geluk aan u, en almal wat deel het aan hierdie pragtige jaarblad, en mag u in u strewe na perfeksie, steeds u werksaamhede onder leiding van sy hand aanpak.
Installation of the "Soldier" statue
"Soldier" statue in place
Infantry School JL'S G - Company 1981