Defence Intelligence Security Centre

Royal School of Military Survey

The Royal School of Military Survey (RSMS) traces its heritage back to 1833 when it was established at the Royal Military Academy Woolwich as a survey training branch. After a period of stability the School moved to a number of locations including Chatham, Fort Southwick, Ruabon and Longleat before finally settling at Hermitage, Berkshire in early 1949, when it was renamed the School of Military Survey. In 1979 a major rebuild at Hermitage at last provided the School with purpose built facilities. As part of Military Survey’s 250th Anniversary celebrations in 1997, Her Majesty the Queen graciously awarded the School the Royal accolade.

In April 2006 the RSMS became one of the federated Schools within the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre along with the Defence Schools of Intelligence (DSI), Languages (DSL) and Photography (DSOP). 

To exploit the growing synergies between Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) and Imagery Intelligence (IMINT) all Geospatial and Imagery analysis training and education is now the responsibility of RSMS. The School consists of three Training Wings, Geospatial Information Management and Geospatial Exploitation based at Hermitage and the Imagery Intelligence at Chicksands in Bedfordshire.

Geospatial education and training for Royal Engineer (RE) Geographic Officers, Defence personnel and international students is provided through the MSc in Defence Geographic Information awarded by Cranfield University since 1993. From August 2009, this course has been developed into an MSc in Geospatial Intelligence to provide opportunities for Defence personnel to achieve an MSc through a variety of delivery modes including full time at Hermitage, part time, and distance learning. MSc GEOINT Course Application Procedures

Trade training for RE Geographic Technicians is recognised through a Foundation Degree in Applied Computing (Defence Geographic Information) accredited by Sheffield Hallam University (SHU). A recent development has been the addition of a Bachelor’s Degree in partnership with SHU to provide RE Geographic Technicians with the opportunity to further develop their technical and academic competencies.

In addition to the accredited courses, RSMS also delivers a range of specialist courses to Defence personnel, including Imagery Analysis to UK, Reserve Forces and International students, Full Motion Video Interpretation, GPS User and Instructor, Map Reading Instructor, Land Navigation, Geographic Information Systems and Terrain Analysis.