By 1976 infantry operations transformed drastically when the Ratel Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) was introduced for the first time and in November the first Ratel course was presented at 1 SAI.
In 1982, 4 SAI converted to a mechanised infantry battalion mainly consisting of Ratel-20 IFVs.
 
  Similar to 1 SAI, 4 SAI's mechanised leaders followed the same training route all students attended the course until the Section Leaders Phase had been completed.
Section Leaders were then awarded their Lance Corporal stripes and then placed with regular rifle companies.
The rest of the future NCOs also received their stripes and future Officers received their white Candidate Officer's tabs.
These students were then evaluated and split into the Mechanised Platoon Commanders Course and Specialist Instructors Course.
These platoon commanders were destined to either become future leaders of 8 SAIs rifle companies or instructors at the Training Wing, while the Specialist Instructors would become Officers and NCO's responsible for training of Ratel gunners and drivers.

All students qualifying as Section Leaders were authorised to wear one parallel red bar above their two Corporal stripes.

Students that qualified as Platoon NCOs were authorised to wear two parallel red bars.
The Platoon NCOs were responsible for the support of the vehicles, guns and signal equipment of a specific platoon.

Students that completed either the Platoon Commanders or Specialist Instructors Course were permitted to wear three parallel red bars above their stripes, signifying their platoon sergeant status.
Platoon sergeants were responsible for the training and discipline of an allocated platoon.
By 1976 infantry operations transformed drastically when the Ratel Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) was introduced for the first time and in November the first Ratel course was presented at 1 SAI. In 1982, 4 SAI converted to a mechanised infantry battalion mainly consisting of Ratel-20 IFVs.  
  Similar to 1 SAI, 4 SAI's mechanised leaders followed the same training route all students attended the course until the Section Leaders Phase had been completed. Section Leaders were then awarded their Lance Corporal stripes and then placed with regular rifle companies. The rest of the future NCOs also received their stripes and future Officers received their white Candidate Officer's tabs. These students were then evaluated and split into the Mechanised Platoon Commanders Course and Specialist Instructors Course. These platoon commanders were destined to either become future leaders of 8 SAIs rifle companies or instructors at the Training Wing, while the Specialist Instructors would become Officers and NCO's responsible for training of Ratel gunners and drivers.
All students qualifying as Section Leaders were authorised to wear one parallel red bar above their two Corporal stripes.
Students that qualified as Platoon NCOs were authorised to wear two parallel red bars. The Platoon NCOs were responsible for the support of the vehicles, guns and signal equipment of a specific platoon.
Students that completed either the Platoon Commanders or Specialist Instructors Course were permitted to wear three parallel red bars above their stripes, signifying their platoon sergeant status. Platoon sergeants were responsible for the training and discipline of an allocated platoon.
4 South African Infantry Battalion