Defence Training Estate (DTE)

Supporting Cadets: How DIO provides infrastructure for tomorrow's leaders 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Armed Forces, Defence Training Estate (DTE)
Participants and volunteers at Ten Tors pose with an Armed Forces Day banner as a helicopter flies over them.

As Colonel Cadets, I serve as the Army Cadet advisor to the Commander South West. The Commander commands the Army Cadets, while I provide the crucial interface between the Chain of Command of the Army Cadet Forces (ACF) Counties, the …

Celebrating Armed Forces Week 2025

A soldier walks towards the camera through the jungle.

As we start celebrating Armed Forces Week 2025, we’re highlighting the excellent work of DIO colleagues around the world who proudly provide our Armed Forces with a safe and effective place to train. DIO provides essential support for overseas training …

From casualty evacuations to historic ruins: ready for anything in Belize 

A member of the training team, wearing military uniform, is strapped horizontally into a flying helicopter. The photo is taken from inside the helicopter and the sea is visible through the windows.

Facilitating military training anywhere in the world is an important job. The primary role of DIO (Belize) Range Control, Wardens and Tracker teams is providing a safe place to train and working with exercising units to ensure that military training …

DIO supports behind the scenes at the Ten Tors in Dartmoor

A helicopter flies over a group of people

As the Training Safety Officer for Dartmoor I cover the Dartmoor Training Area from our office in Okehampton Camp. We've just finished supporting the Ten Tors; one of the busiest weekends in the Dartmoor Training Area's calendar. The teams and …

In the jungle: Operating alongside the flora and fauna of Belize

Close up of the head and shoulders of a soldier wearing camouflage uniform and a helmet. He is pointing a rifle directly at the camera and only his left eye can be seen.

Did you know that the British Army undertakes Close Country Tropical Training within the jungles of Belize? The British Army Training Support Unit Belize (BATSUB), supported by DIO, operates on one of the MOD’s overseas training areas, which we share …

Year in review: What DIO has achieved in 2023

A large group of people standing on a chalk image carved into the side of a hill.

It’s been a busy year for us at DIO. From supporting the Coronation of King Charles III to supplying more than 20,000kg of turkey to Armed Forces personnel over Christmas, our teams have been working hard to help our Armed …

Take a look at our Christmas-related creatures and plants on the Defence Estate

A group of penguins walk on the sand in the Falkland Islands.

  It’s the most wonderful time of the year – but that doesn’t stop the hard work that goes on behind the scenes across the Defence Training Estate every day. Our ecology and environmental management teams work tirelessly alongside the …

Maximising safe public access on Salisbury Plain Training Area

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Public Access, Salisbury Plain Training Area, Volunteering
Two men, one wearing a dark leather jacket and the other wearing a high-visibility jacket, examine a folded section of a map. Next to them, at head-height, is a sign which reads: ‘Permissive Byway / Open to all traffic / Subject to flag’

Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA) is the UK’s largest military training area, covering 11% of Wiltshire and a small part of Hampshire. Ensuring the fine balance between providing a place for our Armed Forces to train safely and maintaining public …

Leopards and more: monitoring rare wildlife in Brunei’s jungle training areas

A muntjac stands in the jungle looking towards the camera.

One interesting element of my job recently has been a study we’ve been working on in British Forces Brunei (BFB)’s jungle training areas to monitor whether training has any impact on the local wildlife. We’ve been working with the Brunei …