Regional Security Exercises (RSE) are an integral part of the Advanced Command and Staff Course (ACSC) delivered each year at the Defence Academy. They provide a rare opportunity for course members to gain first-hand experience and regional context on the broad spectrum of material and subject matter covered throughout the course.
During the second and third terms, RSEs allow course members to visit a specific location of interest to learn more about local and regional security issues that dominate that nation’s agenda. Through self-study, supported by King’s College London, Defence Studies Department mentors, the course members can add context to the first term’s ‘International Relations’ and ‘Strategy’ focused learning modules.
RSE1 incorporates European visits, while RSE2 pushes further afield. This allows for a broad range of global defence and security issues to be discussed, with local perspectives provided to enrich the course members’ understanding and broader experience.
On return to the Defence Academy, representatives from each exercise then provide a back brief to their course mates to share their unique experiences and add context to ongoing security-based discussions and exercises.
The opportunity to work daily with a diverse group of military professionals from different backgrounds, presenting alternative perspectives, is a key selling point for one of the UK Defence Academy’s premier annual courses.