Along with all our amazing non-commissioned officers (NCOs), instructors are the backbone of the Army. However, instructing is not a static skill. It requires continual growth to ensure we remain relevant and effective. Professional development is not a luxury but a necessity for instructors aiming to deliver high-quality, learner-centred experiences. Learning methods have evolved dramatically. Today’s learners are tech-savvy and diverse, and expect interactive, inclusive, and engaging learning experiences. Instructors must stay current with training technologies and learning theories to meet the needs and expectations of modern learners.

Every journey has a beginning, and for an instructor in the Army, it often starts not in a classroom, but on a dusty parade ground or a weapons shed that we feel is purpose-built to trap the cold in winter and the heat in summer. Your instructor will form you up, get you to number, conduct some revision of the previous lesson, and then you will hear those words that you will never forget: ‘During this lesson you will be taught……’, ‘The reason you are taught this is……’, ‘At the end of this lesson you will be able to……’.

The instructor will then go on to teach you in stages by numbers and or catchwords, ensuring they confirm every stage. When you hear the words ‘Are there any final questions or doubtful points?’ It is time to really switch on. You know it is nearly over but first you have to answer some questions and or perform some movements. You get through the test of objectives and start relaxing when you hear: ‘Your next lesson on this subject is……’ and Your next lesson on the syllabus is……’. This lesson is now over. You can now move to the next.

A few weeks into your training, you catch yourself in your room giving impromptu lessons to your mates confidently using what you believe is the perfect blueprint for instruction. You are fault-correcting with precision, maybe even thinking you are doing a better job than your own instructor – don’t deny it; we have all done it in some way or another. It is in these moments that the first signs of your instructor’s mindset are beginning to take shape.

The basic lesson blueprint serves as the standard framework for planning and delivering lessons in Army. This standardised framework is intentionally used to enhance learning by offering consistency and predictability. When learners are familiar with the expected flow of a lesson, their cognitive load is reduced, enabling them to concentrate more fully on the content. This structure also supports foundation instructors by offering a clear, organised guide for effective lesson delivery.

Your introduction to formal lesson delivery is Foundation Instructor Training (FIT) delivered as a part of the Subject 1 Corporal or Officer Commissioning Program. It requires you to explain the characteristics of both learners and instructors, demonstrate effective instructor qualities, prepare and deliver instruction, and conduct assessment. We are the only service where all NCOs and above are instructors. This is because the Army sees instructing as a key function of being a leader.

The time between completing your instructor course and actually stepping up to deliver instruction can sometimes stretch into years. Nevertheless, no matter how much time has passed, the core skills you developed during that course are still there. You have already laid the foundation. With a refresh and re-read through the Instructor’s Handbook, it will not take long for those skills you have been taught to come back, like muscle memory. The confidence, structure, and techniques you learned are just waiting to be grown upon.

Training Authorities are responsible for ensuring the delivery of an annual instructor development program that meets the needs of instructors. On arrival at your training establishment, you should be able to further refresh and refine your instructor skills while undergoing this program. Other things to consider for refining your foundational instructional ability are as follows:

• Know your subject knowledge: You will be required to deliver many different lessons while posted to a training establishment, which is why it is essential to know your subject matter inside and out. Your confidence and credibility as an instructor depend on it. Learners will look to you for clarity and guidance, and the better you understand your content, the more effectively you can adapt, explain, and answer questions on the spot. Take the time to study, revise, and stay sharp – it makes a difference. Do not be that instructor who cannot answer a question, and if you cannot, remember that it is your responsibility to research the question and follow up with an accurate response as soon as possible.
• Rehearsals: Everybody knows how valuable time is, especially when posted to a training establishment, but when it comes to delivering instruction, you must make every effort to rehearse your lesson. Preparation isn’t a luxury; it’s a responsibility. Rehearsing ensures your delivery is clear, your timings are tight, and your confidence is high. It shows respect for learners and reinforces your credibility as an instructor. Even short run-throughs can make a big difference between just delivering content and truly teaching it.
• Observing a peer: Peer observation is as much about learning for yourself as it is helping others grow. By watching how a fellow instructor delivers their lesson, what works, what does not, how they engage learners, and how they handle challenges, you gain valuable insight into your own instructional style. It is an opportunity to reflect, adapt, and improve.
• Self-Reflection: The best instructors are those that never stop learning, especially from their own experiences. Honest reflection helps you identify strengths and pinpoint areas to develop. An instructor should be able to identify strengths and weaknesses in their performance and take action to improve.
• Confirm your approach: The way you were taught as a trainee or practised during instructor training may not necessarily be the way you will instruct. The cultures of our training environments are changing. Ensure you understand the way your training establishment approaches learning and ask for additional resources to align with this approach, if needed. Additionally, ensure you understand strengths-based learning and incorporate these practices into your instruction.
• Instructor appraisals: Instructors are to be appraised twice annually, as a minimum. Instructor appraisals play a crucial role in maintaining high standards of instruction and continuous development. They provide a structured opportunity to receive constructive feedback, highlight strengths, and identify areas for improvement. Appraisals are not about criticism; they are about growth. Instructors should be actively seeking to be appraised more than twice a year.
• Professional development activities: Professional development is essential for instructors to remain effective, relevant, and confident in their role. The Army environment is constantly evolving with new tactics, technologies and instructional approaches, so it is vital that instructors grow alongside it. Ultimately, investing in your development sets the standard for those you instruct, proving that learning does not stop when the lesson ends.

The next course in the instructor continuum is the Military Instructor Course (MIC). The MIC builds on the FIT with a range of advanced learner-centred instructional techniques. The course focuses on applying the ‘Blueprint’ to learner-centred instructional techniques to complement what is learnt on the FIT. It is for instructors who need to draw upon a wider range of team and cooperative delivery techniques to shift the focus of activity from the instructor to the learner.

Whether posted to a training establishment or not, all experienced instructors should complete the MIC. This course puts the focus on how the learner absorbs and applies knowledge, not just on what the instructor says. By encouraging participation, asking questions and adapting to different learning styles, you can create an environment where learners are more engaged, more confident, and more capable. Learner-centred instruction builds the depth of understanding and helps develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork. Perhaps even an ‘Intellectual Edge’.

While it may be a requirement, don’t rush into completing your MIC. The MIC is to be completed within the first year of your posting to a training establishment. However, before you start moving into learner-centred instruction, make every effort to ensure you have a solid foundation in the core principles of instruction. It will only make you a better instructor in the long run.

To support your growth and effectiveness, the Army has developed a range of professional development sites tailored specifically to where you are in your instructor development continuum. These sites are designed to complement the Instructor’s Handbook to help you sharpen your core skills, refresh your knowledge, and stay up to date with the latest instructional techniques and standards. Whether you are revisiting the fundamentals or exploring advanced instructional methods, these resources offer practical, relevant content to enhance your instructional delivery. Please note the links below will only open with DPN, and if you have an active ADELE account:

• Army Instructor Professional Development Site: The Army Instructor Development site is the one-stop shop for instructional learning and support. The goal is to support the instructor to transfer their valued knowledge and skills as effectively and efficiently as possible through up-to-date and relevant instructional strategies. The best way to commence this training is to navigate to the ‘Discovery’ tab and conduct the self-appraisal. You can then easily navigate through the tabs to undertake training on anything from creating a learning event plan to moderation. There are plenty of references and a tab to collaborate with other instructors and Army education officers.
• ADC Instructor Hub: While this site concentrates mainly on ADELE, there are also some good lessons that may assist in your instructor development.
• Military Instructor Course Toolbox: This site provides a series of short videos to equip you with learner-centred activities, which aim to empower your learners.
• Delta Facilitators Course: The fundamental purpose of this course is to empower you to confidently execute the ‘practice’ of facilitating.

If you are aware of any more sites that may assist, please feel free to place the link in the comments below. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of the above sites, feel free to contact army.educationenquiries@defence.gov.au.

Instructor professional development is more than a training requirement – it is a strategic investment in our people and performance. By prioritising growth, instructors remain agile, effective, and capable of preparing learners for a complex and ever-evolving threat. The return on this investment is clear: better instructors lead to a stronger, more adaptable Army.