GOV.UK
Supporting the British Army’s capability in Kenya
DIO is investing over £40 million in vital training facilities in Kenya. Read on to find out more.
Military Training
How DIO supports foreign forces
Although the training estate is vital for UK Armed Forces, its also very useful for our foreign allies, who sometimes use our facilities. Find out more from Maj Tam Noble, who leads on arranging training for foreign forces.
Root and Branch: Managing the MOD's woodlands
![A Gurkha trainee, wearing full uniform including helmet and body armour, and carrying his weapon and a bergen, kneels in an area of young, growing trees. A mature wood is in the background. [Crown Copyright/MOD2018]](https://insideDIO.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2018/09/IMG_1599cropped-copy-e1544028628324-1024x681.jpg)
Did you know the MOD has foresters on staff? Given that the defence estate includes 18,000 hectares of woodland, its a vital job.
Managing wildfires and much more on the Defence Training Estate
![Firefighters from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service monitoring the fire on Salisbury Plain Training Area. [Photograph courtesy of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service]](https://insideDIO.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2018/08/20180706_210200-1024x768.jpg)
Hi, I’m Brigadier Simon Stockley, Head of the DIO’s Overseas Region and Defence Training Estate (OR&DTE). My role includes the provision of military training facilities here in the UK, and around the world, to enable our Armed Forces to be …
Excavating military tracks at Barrow Clump
![Volunteers and archaeologists at Barrow Clump [Crown Copyright, MOD 2018]](https://insideDIO.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2018/07/B33E8BFD-E44C-416E-A1F8-04B16CB63AA9-1024x768.jpeg)
Hi, my name is Richard Osgood and I'm the Senior Archaeologist at DIO. Today I'll be blogging about the team of military veterans, service personnel and volunteers from Wessex Archaeology and Breaking Ground Heritage who helped to unearth the excavation …
New vehicles crack down on illegal activity on Salisbury Plain
Hi, I’m Lt Col Stewart Andrews and I’m DIO’s Senior Training Safety Officer for Salisbury Plain. Last year, 2948 illegal incursions were reported in the South West; most were caused by people illegally driving 4x4s and motorcycles on the Plain. …
It really is a jungle out there - Keeping troops safe in Belize
![Alan Grant, MBE SCOTS, DIO Training Safety Officer in Belize [Crown Copyright, MOD 2018]](https://insideDIO.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2018/06/Alan-1024x683.jpg)
I am Major Alan Grant MBE SCOTS. Currently I’m posted to Belize with DIO Range Control as the Training Safety Officer (TSO) in support of the British Army Training Support Unit Belize (BATSUB) and I love my job. This is …
Getting battle ready with BATUS
![Challenger 2 tank crews training at BATUS. [Crown Copyright/MOD2014]](https://insideDIO.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2018/05/45158850-1024x420.jpg)
As DIO’s Chief of Staff I have the privilege of being able to visit our staff located both in and outside the UK. I recently visited the British Army Training Unit Suffield (otherwise known as BATUS) for a familiarisation trip. …
Six ridiculous excuses for risking your life on the training estate
![A Byway Open To All Traffic sign on Salisbury Plain. [Crown Copyright, MOD]](https://insideDIO.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2018/04/Byway-Open-To-All-Traffic-sign-Kirsty-Williams-1024x684.jpg)
Last week we looked at some ways to risk your life on the Defence training estate. When we catch people ignoring the rules, they use a variety of excuses for their actions. Here's a countdown of some of the more ridiculous we’ve come …
How to risk your life on the military training estate
We want people to enjoy the military training estate, but it can be a dangerous place if you don't follow the rules. There are a number of ways you can put your life at risk and here's a few of …