This list can be thought of as an addendum of sorts to a similar list that was done here at TopTenz, featuring American military schools.
There was a bit of thought, both from myself, and from the readers of
the original list, that there is something to be said about military
institutions of higher learning beyond the borders of the United States.
And indeed there is.
Interestingly (though not surprisingly), not all countries operate
their military academies in the same manner as the U.S. While most
international military academies mirror their American counterparts in
the mission of training men and women to become leaders within the armed
forces, they do not all include a post-secondary styled education.
After a bit of thought, I’ve included on this list some of the schools
that do not offer such a program (namely the Brits and Brazilians). The
reason for this is that the main focus of these lists – in my mind
anyway – has always been the military training aspect. There happens to
be a number of international schools that excel at producing superior
military officers and deserve inclusion, in my opinion, on any list that
tackles this subject. After all, the idea behind any military school
is to develop leaders, and this they do exceedingly well.
Without further commentary, here are the top ten international military schools:
10. Royal Military College of Canada
For reasons that continue to allude me, America’s neighbor to the
north tends escape the notice of most. A literal sleeping giant, Canada
has a rich military history in its own right, though its contributions
may have not drawn as much attention as other nations. Nevertheless,
The Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) continues to produce officers
for service in the Canadian armed forces. RMC is Canada’s only federal
degree-conferring military-oriented university. With the stated
mission to “educate, train and develop officer cadets for leadership
careers of effective service in the Canadian Forces – the Royal Canadian
Air Force, the Royal Canadian Navy, and the Canadian Army,” RMC has
dutifully performed its stated function since 1876.
Located at Point Frederick, Kingston,
Ontario, the school emphasizes 4 “pillars: of education: military
leadership, athletics, academics, and linguistics (French and English). A
fully accredited institution of higher learning, RMC offers 19
undergraduate programs (in the areas of engineering, arts and science),
34 graduate programs, and 14 doctorate programs. The school has several
different education tracts available to students, depending on their
particular commitment (or lack thereof) to serving in the Canadian armed
forces. The Regular Officer Training Program caters to those students
who will be obligated to five years of service upon completion of their
education (the program is actually considered a scholarship). These
students have their expenses fully paid by the Canadian government, and
receive a stipend each month to cover additional expenses. Other
programs within the school allow students to attend without having an
obligation for military service (requiring them to pay their own
expenses). Eligibility for admittance into the school requires a
potential cadet to meet the set criteria for the undergraduate programs
of the school, as well those conditions set for officers of the Canadian
armed forces.
In regards to cadet life on campus, the RMC functions in a similar
manner to American military academies. Students, referred to as cadets,
form the school’s cadet wing. The cadet wing is then broken down into
smaller squadron and flight formations. The cadets have a rank
hierarchy that is adhered to, as well as the responsibility of
administering the day-to-day activities of the wing (i.e. discipline,
duty details, etc.). A strict code of military bearing and discipline
is expected, and enforced. Cadets are required to participate not only
in the rigorous academic offerings of the RMC, but to master the
different phases of military and leadership training as well.
During their first year, cadets are subjected to intense
indoctrination. Cadets are required to march everywhere they go,
maintain incredibly high dress standards, and participate in rigorous
physical training. In addition, cadets are not allowed to leave the
campus OR receive visitors during their first year. Upon successful
completion of the first academic year, cadets continue their training,
though under slightly less intense pressure. Additionally, cadets will
begin to assume leadership roles within the cadet wing to better prepare
them for a career of leadership and service within the armed forces.
With a rich tradition that spans 135 years, the Royal Military
College of Canada has provided the Canadian armed forces with the
leaders that have enabled its military to serve with distinction around
the globe, in times of war and national need.
9. Royal Military Academy of Belgium
Belgium is not traditionally recognized as a military juggernaut.
Nevertheless, those outside of the European Union may be surprised at
the central role that Belgium has in the international arena. Brussels,
for example, is considered the unofficial capitol of the European
Union, not to mention the location of the headquarters for the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). In the midst of this, Belgium has
maintained a professional military establishment, that stands ready to
defend Belgium’s national interest and treaty obligations in NATO.
The Royal Military Academy is the nation’s military university.
Established in 1834 and based on French “grand ecoles” (elite
university) standard, its purpose is to educate the future officers who
will comprise the leadership of its armed forces. Located in Brussels,
the school is fully accredited and confers degrees (Bachelor and Master
Degrees) under a 5 year system (3 years for the BA and the MA in the
final 2 years). Admission for future students is competitive. First,
potential students must successfully pass a battery of military
admission tests, that are given to every prospect entering the Belgian
military. Next, students will have to perform well on public
examinations. In this phase, they are competing with other potential
entrants to the school, with those who score the highest winning the
coveted and limited spots available each school year (about 400 or so).
Once admitted, RMA begins transforming young men and women into
military leaders. As with most national military academies, tuition and
expenses are fully covered by the government, and students receive a
small salary during their time at the school. With a focus on physical
and military training in conjunction with character development, the RMA
sounds and feels like what would be expected at any top-notch military
educational institution. The RMA refers to its educational offerings as
“integrated”. The reason for this is the concerted effort to mix a
beneficial blend of academic and military training to students. The
school’s academic offerings are among the best to be found in Europe.
In addition to BA and MA degrees, the school has a post-graduate PhD
program, as well as renowned research opportunities.
Life for students at the RMA is a bit more relaxed than what can be
found in American military academies, but nonetheless
military-oriented. During the first 3 years at the school, students
will reside in rooms with 2 or three other students. During the fourth
year, students may opt for individual rooms. Students will spend most
of their time on campus, though they are allowed weekends and one night
per week to leave (assuming that they are in good standing).
Additionally, because every military in the world has physically
demanding requirements, students are required to participate in at least
5 hours of physical/sports activity each week.
Finally, students are also required to participate in military camps
twice a year during their stay at the school. These camps will focus on
the needed military, and leadership, skills needed to become an
effective officer in the armed forces. The first camp lasts about two
weeks in January, and the second camp is about one month long in July.
At least one of the camps will take place outside the borders of
Belgium.
8. Academia Militar das Agulhas Negras (Brazil)
In English, the name of this fine institution translates as “Military
Academy of the Black Needles”. Besides being arguably the most notable
military institution in South America, the coolness of the name alone
deserves a spot on our list (the name is derived from the locality of
the school). Located in the city of Resende, Rio De Janeiro, Academia
Militar das Agulhas Negras (AMAN) traces its roots back to 1792, making
it a model for future military academies in North America, as well as
the first. Through several incarnations, the school has developed into
the largest military academy in Brazil, that provides education and
training for cadets to become officers in the Brazilian armed forces.
Potential students who wish to attend AMAN must attend a preparatory
course beginning in high school and lasts through college, or win
appointment through open competition. Suffice to say that entrance into
the school is difficult at best. It seems that students that are
admitted to AMAN’s Cadet Corp have already obtained their post-secondary
degrees. In this, once admitted to AMAN, the sole emphasis of the
school is on developing cadets into fully-trained and capable officers
(or warlords, according to the translation on their website).
The training is divided into three phases. The first phase lasts for
two years, and can be considered the indoctrination period. During
this time, cadets are introduced to the military-style regiment, that is
a hallmark of military academies around the world. The second phase
emphasizes leadership training, and continues to build on the physical
and military training began in the first phase. The third, and final,
phase of training is tailored to the specific responsibilities that
young officers will need to master in order to perform in the various
billets within the armed forces.
One should note that the Brazilian army has, on occasion, found the
need to overthrow the elected government, in addition to confronting
numerous regional hostilities. For such onerous tasks, the development
of an educated and highly trained leadership is essential. In this,
AMAN continues to excel.
7. National Defense Academy of Japan
Japan has a rich military tradition, that is centuries old. In this
regard, The National Defense Academy of Japan (NDAJ) aims to uphold the
prestige and honor of military service. It’s interesting to note,
however, that many people are under the impression that Japan doesn’t
have a standing military. True enough, with the conclusion of the
Second World War, Japan’s Imperial military forces were disbanded.
However, with the onset of the Cold War, America placed a good deal of
pressure on Japan to assume some of its own defensive responsibility.
This emphasis has only increased, as America has had to deal with other
military commitments around the world, as well as China’s emergence as a
military power in the region.
Established in 1953 and located in Yokosuka, Kanagawa, NDAJ is a
post-secondary military institution of higher learning. The mission of
the school is to provide training and education to students who desire
to become officers in Japan’s Self-Defense Forces. The school provides
post-secondary/university level course level work, but does not actually
grant degrees. This is due to the fact that NDAJ is not a member of
the accreditation organization (The National Institution for Academic
Degrees and University Evaluation) that confers such honors. However,
the courses at NDAJ are duly recognized, and students are granted
degrees upon graduation through the National Institution upon request.
In line with other Japanese universities, NDAJ offers a strong
curriculum in science and engineering, with students able to earn degrees in these disciplines as well as social sciences.
As with entrance into any Japanese university, admission into NDAJ is
competitive. This is especially true, due to the fact that all costs
associated with attending the school are covered by the government. In
fact, even if a student drops out of the program before completion, or
refuses to enter into the military upon graduation (which, apparently,
many do), the student is not required to reimburse the government for
the time spent at NDAJ. Nevertheless, students are selected on a
competitive basis (high school rankings, grades, test scores,
extracurricular activities, etc.) relative to all those who apply. A
point of interest with the NDAJ is that the school states its main
emphasis is on academics, and military training is limited to
fundamental levels (additional military training takes place at the
officer candidate schools in the SDF).
Military training, in total, will only consume about 1,000 hours of a
student’s time at the school. Students or cadets are required to
participate in two hours of basic military training each week.
Additionally, students will undergo further training in the form of a
six-week course each academic year. So, at first glance, NDAJ may seem
lax on the military orientation. Nothing is further from the truth. In
fact, the NDAJ is actually strikingly similar to its American
counterparts. The student body forms Cadet Corps, which in turn, is
organized into smaller battalions and platoons. The Corps is a self
administering body, with the cadets themselves serving in leadership
billets that administer the day-to-day activities of the students. Life
is regimented along the basis of military discipline – formations,
marching, wearing uniforms, inspections, etc.
Still, NDAJ is uniquely Japanese. There is high desire to produce
highly educated officers who are able to think logically and
scientifically, as well as display personal characteristics that are
valued in Japanese society (and that will allow them to be effective
officers in the 3 branches of the SDF). As a result, the NDAJ is an
institution of higher learning first and foremost, and is among the most
effectual of schools to be found in Japan.
6. Federal Armed Forces University (Germany)
Germany is known (famously and infamously) for its military prowess.
Regardless of which side of right the German military establishment has
fallen, the fact remained that the German armed forces were always a
capable and dangerous fighting machine. One of the reasons for this is
the emphasis that the Germany military has placed on maintaining a
professional corps of highly trained military leaders (for the sake of
this discussion, we are talking about officers – however the German
military has long recognized the importance of non-commissioned officer
leadership as well).
As part of the initiative, the German government established not one,
but two universities for the purpose of providing university level
academic instruction to its officers (and potential officers). These
two institutions, Bundeswehr University Munich, and Helmut Schmidt
University (in Hamburg),
are administered by the German armed forces. However, these two
universities are operated completely different than most other
military-run institutions of higher learning. These two institutions
are almost completely devoted to traditional academic offerings, with
very little in the way of military training. In fact, excepting to the
intensity of the course work, the Federal Armed Forces Universities
(FAFU) largely resemble other German universities.
Officers and officer candidates who attend FAFU can earn Bachelors
and Masters degrees. The primary difference with FAFU, from other
German universities, is that degrees can be earned about a third
faster. FAFU academic years are based on a trimester, while retaining
comparable weight (in terms of credit and instruction) to the courses
that are offered therein. As such, a master’s degree can be earned in four years, as opposed to five at other schools.
Officers and officer candidates who attend the school are obligated
to 13 years of military service (for pilots, it’s 15 years). The
majority of students at FAFU are military. However, by 2003, the
prestige and quality of the course work increased, and civilian students
were allowed to attend the school, provided that space was available
and that the costs were underwritten by a secondary source (i.e.
businesses, etc.). For military students, all costs are covered by the
government, and students are paid a salary.
Life for students at FAFU is much different than can be found at most
military school and academies as well. In fact, students at FAFU enjoy
a college atmosphere that is similar to any civilian university.
Students don’t wear uniforms, are allowed to schedule their classes and
other activities as they see fit, and are not required to conform to a
rigid military style of discipline. Indeed, the only visible
military-oriented feature of FAFU is the military/language training that
is offered on Wednesday afternoons. There is, of course, an emphasis
placed on physical training through club sports, which students are
encouraged to participate in.
FAFU hangs its hat on the high quality of its academic offerings,
especially in the area of scientific research. The schools have a
particularly strong aeronautical engineering program. The essence of
the school’s structure is to develop highly educated officers, with the
necessary military instruction and training coming from other avenues.
5. Korea Military Academies
The Republic of Korea (also referred to as South Korea) has remained
in a state of armed conflict since the end of the Korean War.
Technically, the war has not ended, as hostilities ceased with an
armistice. In fact, there have been a number of clashes between North
and South Korean military forces since the end of the war. Suffice to
say, Republic of Korea military forces maintain a very high level of
readiness – out of necessity of the very real possibility of having to
repel an imminent attack. As such, one would be hard pressed to find a
higher-maintained and trained armed force than the ROK military. Into
an environment ripe for hostilities, and an armed force primed to
respond, the Korea Military Academies (KMA) were established.
Korea has three primary service academies that provide undergraduate
and specialized military training for the three branches of the ROK
armed forces – namely, the Army, Navy and Air Force. The stated purpose
of these schools is to provide military training, as well as an
undergraduate education to officer cadets, for the purpose of developing
professional officers for the nation’s armed forces.
As with most military academies, admittance is competitive and
selective. Potential cadets must endure a series of tests (both
physical and academic), as well as have done well in high school. The
academies themselves are four-year, post-secondary institutions, that
confer degrees in science, engineering
and social sciences. There is also a strong emphasis on students
mastering English as a second language, in order to better facilitate
and coordinate military activities on an international level. The
academic quality of the academies is on par with, or superior to, other
educational institutions in Korea.
Life at the academies is based on the Cadet Corps. Cadets (or
midshipmen at the Naval Academy) reside in dormitories and follow the
routine military regiment that is found at most military academies.
Time is spent either involved in academic course work, or
military-related training. In this, KMA’s are remarkably similar to
their American counterparts, which served as a model. A distinguishing
difference is in the general attitude of the cadets themselves. Cadets
and midshipmen at the KMA’s take their duties with an air of seriousness
that is directly related with being only a few miles from the
demilitarized zone (DMZ). These men and women recognize that they are
the first line of defense in the event of an invasion from the north.
The KMA’s, as a result, produce quality officers who understand the
responsibility of their profession.
4. École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr (France)
Ah, the French. Well, a lot can be said about the French military,
not all of it good…nevertheless, whatever one’s particular opinion about
the French military, one thing is for certain – the French have a long
history of military experience. The French have campaigned across the
globe and their standard of military leadership has allowed the French
to establish itself as recognized military power.
Leaders, however, have to be trained and École Spéciale Militaire de
Saint-Cyr (ESM, and literally translated as the “Special Military School
of Saint-Cyr”) has been performing this service since it was founded in
1803 by Napoleon Bonaparte.
Located at Brittany, France, the school is considered to be France’s
premier military academy. This can be summed up in the school’s motto
of “they study to vanquish.” Really, you just have to love the French.
Unlike many post-secondary military institutions, ESM does not offer
undergraduate degrees. Instead, graduates of the school are awarded a
Master of Arts or Master of Science degree. Students who are admitted
to ESM have completed an undergraduate degree course beforehand, or
graduated from a Grande École (a top university). This is in addition
to a competitive series of aptitude tests, physical examinations, and
thorough interviews.
The purpose of the school, of course, is to train and educate
students to become officers in the French armed forces. The school is
structured around a three-year program that emphasizes military training
and leadership, academics, and the all important physical training.
During the 1st year, stress is placed equally on academics
and military training. For the remaining two years, academics take
precedence. Students (referred to as St. Cyrians) will continue to
participate in military training during scheduled breaks of 1-3 weeks
during the year. Students who attend the school are considered
commissioned officers. Upon graduation, students are promoted to the
rank of lieutenant, and then have to attend an additional school that is
related to their military specialty. After all of this, they are
assigned to a regular regiment as a platoon leader.
While at the school, students can expect the norm when it comes to a
regimented, military-styled environment. The French have quite the
fondness for parade, and cadets can expect plenty of marching in full
regalia. To their credit, they look awesome doing it.
3. Australian Defense Force Academy
Our brothers-in-arms from down under have a military tradition of distinguished service that dates back to its colonial
period, when under British rule. With traditions and styles that
hearken to its British roots, the Australian military has stood as the
wall of defense for this island/continent nation since its inception.
When one considers the geographic importance of the Australian
continent, one can begin to conceive the necessity of not only a strong
military component, but an effective and competent one as well. Indeed,
while the Australian armed forces have never been large, they have
nevertheless been able to perform at levels that belie their size.
Certainly, this fact says quite a bit about the quality of leadership
within the Australian armed forces.
With the demand for quality, came the need for quality instruction.
Unfortunately, Australia was rather slow in doing anything about this
despite how, immediately after World War II, the service components
recognized a need for improved educational opportunities for its
officers. It would take almost 40 years for this need to bear fruition,
but it finally did and the Australian Defense Force Academy (ADFA)
opened its doors in 1986. The stated purpose of the ADFA is to “to
serve Australia by providing the Australian Defense Force (ADF) with
tertiary graduates who have the foundational attributes, intellect and
skills required of an officer.”
The ADFA is located in Canberra, Australia, and has an interesting
partnership with the University of New South Wales (which also has a
Canberra campus located on the ADFA grounds). While the ADFA
concentrates on providing the military oriented training to cadets, the
University of New South Wales (UNSW) provides the tertiary education.
The civilian school is also the body that actually awards the earned
degrees. Cadets and midshipmen are able to earn Bachelor of Science,
Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Technology
degrees. The ADFA, for its part, is a tri-service institution, meaning
that it serves all three branches of the Australian military, instead of
each service component having its own dedicated academy.
As one would expect, entrance into the ADFA is competitive with most
students being in the upper echelon of academic prowess in
Australia. Cadets (Army and Air Force) and midshipmen (Navy) at ADFA
experience a military-styled education, much like those found at any
other military academy. There is a regimented day filled with classes,
training, and formations. Students wear uniforms and conform to a rank
structure, in which their fellow cadets and midshipmen serve in
leadership roles. Students are encouraged (“strongly”, according to the
literature) to participate in sporting activities, but this is not
required. Further, students are allowed to leave campus on the weekends
and holidays. Also, cadets and midshipmen live in single person rooms!
In short, the ADFA provides Australia with a continuing pool of
effective leaders that will carry the Australian military into the new
millennium and beyond.
2. Egyptian Military Academy
Some thought went into the selection of a military academy from the African continent. Ultimately, with Egypt
dominating the headlines in recent months, and the fact that its
military plays a major role in the affairs of the nation, I decided the
Egyptian Military Academy (EMA) merited a spot on our list. The EMA is
viewed as the most prestigious (and certainly the oldest) educational
institution of its kind, in North Africa and the Middle East.
Currently located in Cairo, Egypt; the EMA was established in 1811. The stated purpose of EMA is as follows:
“Preparing and qualifying combatant officers capable of leading their
sub-units during war and peace times under different psychological and
physical circumstances and with different standards of morale, in
addition to maintaining the highest level of combat capability of their
units, with a scientific and cultural background that enables them to
cope with the rapid development of military sciences.”
It’s interesting to note that, up until 1936, admission to EMA was
reserved for the Egyptian social elite. This policy changed, however,
and potential students from lower and middle class families have been
allowed to attend the school since. Graduates of EMA are commissioned
as officers primarily in the Egyptian army; however the school also
provides officers for other branch components of the Egyptian armed
forces. And yes, women are accepted as cadets at EMA.
There is, for whatever reason, a general misconception that many
institutions of higher learning in so-called third world environments
are sub-standard in comparison to their western counterparts. Nothing
could be further from the truth, as students at EMA are exposed to a
quality educational standard that is comparable to any university-level
institution found around world. The military in Egypt tends to play a
major role in the political leadership makeup of the nation, in addition
to its traditional military responsibilities. As such, there is the
recognized need for highly educated officers. EMA awards a Bachelor’s
Degree in military science on its successful graduates. The course of
study covers the spectrum of basic military subjects to computer
science.
As for military training, EMA exposes its cadets to a wide range of
military oriented training that is geared to prepare them for the rigors
of combat. This includes strategic planning, parachute training, and
more. Students are considered cadets while in school, and conform to a
military hierarchy that is similar to other military-oriented
institutions.
It should be noted that a military career is a very viable means for
individuals who come from low-to-medium income/social status families to
attain positions of power and influence in Egypt. Late president Anwar
Sadat, a graduate of EMA, is a perfect example. His background was
very modest yet, as a result of his training at EMA (and a fair amount
of political intrigue to be sure), he was able to rise to the highest
office in Egypt. The Egyptian Military Academy continues to provide
Egypt with a cadre of highly educated and professional officers.
1. Commando Training Centre (Britain)
It’s impossible to do a list of this nature and not include the
British. Without question, Great Britain has a long and distinguished
military tradition that expands centuries. In addition, many of the
military traditions and styles that many nations around the world
employ, have an origin that can be traced back to British military
customs. With a purpose of instilling honor and professional military
leadership, the British service academies produce some of the highest
quality military officers in the world.
Each branch component of the British armed forces maintains an
academy to train officers: the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (Royal
Army), the Commando Training Centre (Royal Marines), the Britannia Royal
Naval College, and the Royal Air Force College in Cranwell. While all
of these academies certainly perform their stated missions in an
admirable fashion, this spot on the list will concentrate on the
prestigious, and hardcore, Commando Training Centre.
I’ve said it before, and I will state it again – Marines are Marines,
regardless of the color of their flag. By this, I mean that there is a
special spirit of determination, honor and duty that comes with being a
Marine that is difficult to quantify, or even articulate.
Nevertheless, Marines the world over count themselves as among the elite
forces that bear arms. Such is the case with the British Royal Marines
(commonly referred to as Commandos), and the men that lead them.
The Commando Training Center Royal Marines (CTCRM), located at
Lympstone, Great Britain, is responsible for the selection and training
of both enlisted and officer candidates seeking entry into the Corps of
Her Majesty’s Royal Marines. The modern institution was established in
1939, though the Royal Marines themselves trace their origins back as
far 1664. Getting to this point, however, is not assured, as potential
candidates must first successfully complete either the grueling
Potential Royal Marine Course (for enlisted), or the Potential Officers
Course. This initial screening insures that candidates are physically
and mentally undergo commando training.
Upon successful selection to attend CTCRM, both officers and enlisted
recruits are subjected to the longest infantry training regime among
all the member nations of NATO – an incredible 32 weeks for enlisted,
and 15 months for officers. Suffice to say, students are subjected to
every facet of infantry training that can be expected of a commando.
Candidates who attend CTCRM will not receive any degrees. Instead, upon
graduation they will receive the coveted green beret (and a commission for officer candidates), and be counted among the brotherhood of Marines.
Life at the CTCRM is hard. Students are subjected to an incredibly
regimented, and physically demanding, course of training. The stress and
expectation is maintained at a high tempo (almost boot camp style), and
students must maintain high military standards and bearing at all
times. Students reside in open barracks, with little free time during
their stay at CTCRM. In addition to all of this, officer candidates
will be exposed to a multitude of leadership courses, and learn the fine
points of being a Royal Marine Officer.
Without a doubt, British Royal Marines are among the most highly
trained and motivated fighting men to be found – anywhere. It is with
due respect that I note that, while U.S. Marines wear the Eagle, Globe
and Anchor insignia that displays the western hemisphere, the Royal
Marine’s Lion, Globe and Anchor bears the visage of the eastern
hemisphere. Once a Marine, Always a Marine. Oorah!
