The ICSC(MR) is run by the Royal Naval Division within the JSCSC.  It occurs once a year, normally in late July/early August and lasts 2 weeks (including the intervening weekend).  The course is aimed at mid-seniority Royal Naval Reserve Lieutenants and equivalents, with a syllabus designed to broadly prepare them for a wide range of SO2 staff appointments, such as in an headquarters (e.g. NCHQ, PJHQ or MoD) or perhaps as part of a Project Team within DE&S.  The syllabus covers 3 key areas: Strategic Studies; Maritime Studies; and the Joint Context.  The course is interspersed with lectures and discussions on Command, Leadership, Management and Ethos, whilst Staff & Communication skills are practiced throughout.  Successful completion of ICSC(MR) is a mandatory requirement for promotion to substantive Lieutenant Commander RNR or equivalent.

Command, Leadership, Management & Ethos

The ICSC(MR) provides an important opportunity for students to discuss a wide range of Command, Leadership, Management & Ethos (CLME) topics and to take stock of their own personal development.  These studies are inter-woven throughout the course with opportunities taken to expose the students to the personal experiences and insights of CLME from a number of speakers.  These are supported by syndicate discussions, which allow the key issues to be further explored and debated.

Staff & Communication Skills

Staff & Communication skills are practiced throughout with the majority of the work being done as part of other elements of the course.  All students should aim to complete the online electronic Defence Writing (eDW) package before arriving, which will provide a good grounding in the Defence Writing conventions.  The basic aim is not to do “staff work” for its own sake, but to learn and develop these skills whilst studying other elements of the syllabus by: delivering formal and informal presentations; submitting various styles of written work; or leading and contributing in syndicate room discussions.  The emphasis is on effective communication using the most appropriate method and media to share information and thus improve understanding.  Supported by widely available IT equipment it is also coherent with the MoD-wide focus on reducing unnecessary paperwork.  The short oral skills package contains operational type briefings and formal 1* briefs.  The focus is on the a, b, c of all good staff work – accuracy, brevity & clarity.

Strategic Studies: The International Environment and UK Defence Management

A number of subjects are covered aiming to broadly set the strategic context within which UK Defence and specifically UK maritime forces operate.  It covers topics such as: understanding the international environment; globalisation & security; British foreign and defence policies; UK economics; the United Nations; and UK Defence Management.

Maritime Studies: Strategy, Environment, Capabilities, Royal Naval Service

This phase aims to further develop understanding of the unique nature and critical importance of the maritime environment whilst putting the Royal Naval Service properly into the context of the strategic environment studied earlier.  The key tenets of maritime strategy and strategic thought are introduced as is maritime power, doctrine and the Maritime Tactical Estimate.  To ensure students leave with an up-to-date understanding of their Service, a range of subjects are covered including briefs on current UK maritime capabilities.  A number of RNR specific personnel briefs are also included, often in company with the Advanced Command & Staff Course (Reserves) which usually runs concurrently.

Joint Context: Capabilities, Environment, and Joint and Combined Operations

This package covers the headline core capabilities of the UK Armed Forces and the environments in which they operate.  These are particularly well supported due to the Joint make-up of the Royal Naval Division Directing Staff, consisting Royal Navy, Royal Marine, Army and Royal Air Force officers; the maritime contribution to Joint operations is also discussed.  The utility and constraints of military force are explored covering topics such as: the nature of contemporary and future conflict; terrorism & counter-terrorism; counter-insurgency; and stabilisation operations.  The Maritime contribution to current Combined operations are discussed exposing the specific challenges faced during NATO and other coalition operations.  In syndicate groupings, students study and present on a number of historical operations aiming to draw out the key lessons for maritime officers involved in contemporary Joint operations.  On the penultimate day of the course individual reflections on the realities of conflict are heard from military officers with personal experience from past and current operations, ensuring the CLME aspects of the course are reinforced to the very end.

Course Delivery

The course is delivered by a variety of means.  Formal lectures are provided by Kings College London, Defence Studies Department (DSD) staff and external speakers.  A number of Military Tutorials led by RNR Directing Staff (DS) supported by Royal Naval Division permanent DS facilitate open discussion in syndicate rooms; some student research time is also included to allow students to study and reflect on each subject covered and to prepare the oral and written work that must be submitted, although on a course of such short duration, the majority of this work is done in the evenings and during the middle weekend.

The Student Body

There are up to 30 students on each ICSC(MR), some from overseas, who are divided into syndicates of up to 10, each with its own Royal Naval Reserve DS supported by a permanent member of the Royal Naval Division DS.  The deliberate mixture of student specialisations and experience in syndicate is key to the success of the ICSC(MR) as a broadening and educational course.

The JSCSC Environment

The course is an intensive and challenging 2 weeks, designed to breakdown pre-conceived ideas and bring students right up-to-date with the latest challenges and issues facing the Naval Service.  Within the demanding study programme there are opportunities for social and sporting activities which aid syndicate and course bonding and the exchange of ideas.  The wide range of courses at the JSCSC undertaken by UK Armed Forces officers, other Government Department officials and those from international military forces, enables informal engagement, thus enhancing the student learning experience as much as possible.

Uniform/Clothing

All course attendees should ensure they bring the following rig:

• No 3s including caps
• Mess Undress
• Suit and Tie
• Sports Kit