1846–1914 On 2 July 1845 the
Corps of Army Schoolmasters was formed, staffed by
warrant officers and senior
non-commissioned officers, as well as a few
commissioned officers who served as inspectors and
headmasters. In 1859 its duties were extended from simple schooling within the Army to assume responsibility for the Army schools and libraries
1920–1939 A
Royal Warrant established the
Army Educational Corps on 15 June 1920.
Second World War The
Second World War saw the normal work of the corps radically change. The need for both physically and mentally competent troops resulted in an increased workload for the Army Education Centres. The AEC began to operate in a variety of different theatres and locations throughout the war, including the unexpected task of sending news-sheet teams with the
D-Day landings. Recruits saw training time double, with education being conducted in hospitals, prisons and displaced persons camps. The end of the war saw the Corps involved in the daunting task of returning a national Army to civilian occupation. Unit Education Officers gave pre-release advice whilst the Corps organised an extensive network of "formation colleges".
1946–1992 On 28 November 1946 the AEC was honoured with the title of "Royal". In Britain this honour must be bestowed directly by the monarch, and allows the relevant service or organisation the right to use a representation of the crown in their badge.
King George VI contributed to the design of the new badge. After the war the RAEC continued its work educating soldiers and helping them to resettle into civilian life. That same year, the responsibility of teaching the personnel's children was transferred to the newly formed
British Families Education Service. From 1962 it was staffed exclusively by commissioned officers and the non-commissioned personnel were either commissioned or left the Army. In 1971, the education of soldiers was radically changed. Recruits joining the Army were generally poorly qualified and although the tasks of soldiering were easily mastered, the additional responsibilities involved in being an NCO proved more difficult. The new system introduced the
Education Promotion Certificate. This was designed to specifically meet the training needs of potential
Sergeants and
Warrant Officers. In 1992 the RAEC lost its Corps status and became the Educational and Training Services Branch of the new Adjutant General's Corps. ==Headquarters==