The 44 Brigade Parachute Training School was established in Bloemfontein as 1 Parachute Battalion, which is undoubtedly the home of the Parabat which is a South African Army paratrooper. The name is derived from the words "Parachute Battalion". The history of the Parabats started on 1 April 1961 with the formation of the Parachute Battalion. After 1998 it was renamed to Parachute Training Centre