Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) established the current Initial Military Training Leadership School (IMTLS) in 1979 as a tenant unit at Fort Jackson, SC, with the mission of providing education and training for Initial Entry Training (IET) Leaders. Throughout the years, IMTLS designed, developed, and implemented several education and training programs in support of the Initial Military Training (IMT) environment that later translated into independent schools. IMTLS has undergone numerous name and functional transitions through the years. TRADOC recently changed the institution’s name to IMTLS to reflect better the current mission. The following is a snapshot of the names and functions applied throughout the years:

• Established as Pre-Command Course (PCC) (October 1979 to December 1980)
• Renamed Victory Academy in order to integrate Drill Sergeant School (DSS) (December 1980 to December 1998)
• Renamed Victory University (December 1998 to August 2012)
• Renamed Leader Development Training and Training Support (LDTTS) (August 2012 to October 2012)
• Renamed Leader Development Division (LDD) (October 2012 to October 2013)
• Renamed Initial Military Training Leadership School (October 2013 – Present)

In October 1979, IMTLS launched the first Company Commander Pre-Command Course with a course length of two weeks. A month later (November), the first IET Brigade/Battalion PCC began with a course length of two weeks. Subsequently, IMTLS developed and launched a Train–the-Trainer (TTT) course in order to sustain operations.

In December 1980, TRADOC restructured the Company Commander PCC to include other cadre members such as First Sergeant, and Executive Officers. IMTLS renamed the course the Cadre Training Course (CTC) in support of the TRADOC IET mission. IMTLS designed the CTC to provide a general overview of Initial Entry Training to company cadre.

In December 1997, the report of the Federal Advisory Committee on Gender Integrated Training and Related Issues to the Secretary of Defense mandated a complete review on cadre training in support of IET throughout all training bases. The Department of the Army Inspector General Report – Special Inspections of IET Sexual Harassment and Misconduct Policies and Procedures directed the review of the PCC, CTC, and course development of the Support Cadre Training Course (SCTC) and  Installation Staff and Contractors Training Course (ISCTC) . Essentially, TRADOC mandated that all personnel assigned to IMT units must receive some form of initial education on the IMT environment and mission.

In December 1998, acting as proponent, IMTLS launched both SCTC and ISCTC at all CTC training sites. The sites authorized to conduct the courses were Fort Meade, MD; Fort Belvoir, VA, Fort Eustis, VA; Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base, VA; Fort Bragg, NC; Panama City, FL; Pensacola, FL; Lackland Air Force Base, TX; Keesler Air Force Base, MS; Naval Construction Brigade, Gulfport, MS; Sheppard Air Force Base, TX; Fort Rucker, AL; and Redstone Arsenal, AL. TRADOC also authorized all United States Army Reserve (USAR) training divisions to conduct SCTCs.

In June 1999, TRADOC Deputy Commanding General-Initial Entry Training (DCG-IET) directed a centralized approach in executing CTCs. CTCs were expanded to be executed at the following training sites in addition to Fort Jackson: Fort Allen, PR; Fort Benning, GA; Fort Gordon, GA; Fort Huachuca, AZ; Fort Knox, KY; Fort Lee, VA; Fort Leonard Wood, MO; Fort Sam Houston, TX; Fort Sill, OK; Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC), CA; and Goodfellow Air Force Base, TX. Additionally, TRADOC authorized all USAR training divisions to conduct CTCs.

In November 2003, DCG-IET (LTG Cavin) directed that IMTLS create a separate course for Company Commanders in IET. Lieutenant General (LTG) Cavin observed that in many cases IET Company Commanders lacked sufficient leadership skills to be successful in IET command. LTG Cavin directed that they receive specialized training in order to better prepare them for success in IET. He directed IMTLS to develop and implement a centralized TRADOC IET Company Commander’s Course at Fort Jackson, SC. The purpose of the course was to enhance understanding and preparedness of future IET Company Commanders to effectively command, lead, direct, operate, influence, and improve training and operations in the complex Initial Entry Training environment. After initial analysis, LTG Cavin further directed that First Sergeants also attend the course. LTG Cavin’s intent was to replicate the TRADOC IET Brigade/Battalion (Bde/Bn) PCC which integrates command teams in the course. As a result, IMTLS gained funding approval for a facility increase, manning increases, and course development.

In June 17, 2007, General (GEN) Wallace (former TRADOC Commanding General) announced the Noncommissioned officer (NCO) led Advanced Individual Training (AIT) concept that transitioned Drill Sergeants to AIT Platoon Sergeants. TRADOC designated IMTLS as the executive agent for proponent function and for the design of an exportable Program of Instruction (POI) package to the Cadre Training Course (CTC) sites. Additionally, TRADOC developed a skill qualification identifier (SQI) for AIT Platoon Sergeant's. TRADOC launched the first Advanced Individual. Training Platoon Sergeant (AITPSG) courses in November 2007 at Fort Jackson and Fort Huachuca. In 2012, TRADOC transferred the AITPSG course to the DSS in support of the IMT NCO Academy concept.

In May 2010, TRADOC invited Victory University to participate in the first Resilience Training Course that the Army was considering for adoption. In November 2010, GEN George W. Casey Jr. (former Army Chief of Staff) selected Victory University as the Home for the Master Resilience Training Course (MRTC). On April 6, 2011, IMTLS launched the first iteration of MRTC at Fort Jackson and graduated 60 students. Later in 2011, GEN Casey announced that the Master Resilience Training Facilitators Course (Level 2) would also be under the auspices of Victory University. In July 2013, TRADOC designated the Army Master Resilience School (AMRS) as a separate institution with the responsibility of conducting MRTC and MRT-FC.

The Initial Military Training Leadership School presently conducts six courses that support 18 Brigades, 77 Battalions, and over 525 Companies.

- TRADOC IMT Bde/Bn Pre-Command Course (PCC)(2 Weeks) - IMT Company Commanders & First Sergeants Course (CCFSC)(1 Week) - IMT Cadre Training Course (CTC)(1 Week) - IMT Support Cadre Training Course (SCTC)(2 Days) - IMT Installation Staff Contractors Training Course (ISCTC)(4.5 Hours) - IMT Cadre Training Programs Train-The-Trainer (TTT) (2 Weeks) - IMT AIT Squad Leader Instructor Course (SLIC) (to be launched approximately 4th quarter fiscal year 17)