Two Indian Military Academies Rank On The List Of The World’s Best

West Point, New York

West Point is arguably one of the world’s most prestigious military academies. Students do not only apply for it but must get a nomination from a member of Congress to be accepted.

West Point students must follow strict honor code, perform exceptionally in the academic field, as well as develop leadership and athletic skills.

There is no tuition fee but the students must take military duty right after graduating. The school alumni consist of two presidents, 74 Medal of Honor’s recipients, and several well-known generals.

United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland

Ever since it was set up in 1845, the USNA has been educating officers for the Marine and Navy Corps of the U.S. Much like West Point, applicants must have endorsement from a member of the Congress in order to be accepted.

There are 1,300 students attend the USNA each year but only 1,000 can graduate. The academy takes no tuition fee but in exchange, graduates must serve for at least five years in a branch of the military.

The USNA’s alumni are no less prestigious than that of West Point. The school has had two winners of the Nobel Prize, one president, 73 Medal of Honor recipients, and 50 astronauts.

Royal Air Force College Cranwell, Sleaford, United Kingdom

The Royal Air Force College used to be a naval aviation training center in World War I. It is also the first air academy of the world. In World War II, the school temporarily stopped its main role as training officers to take and prepare for as many recruits as possible to serve the Air Force.

In today’s peacetime, the RAF resumes its original role and its alumni consist of big names like Prince Charles, Prince William, Douglas Bader, Frank Whittle.

National Defense Academy, Khadakwasls, Pune, Maharashtra, India

The National Defence Academy train cadets for all three services of the Indian army, including the Army, the Air Force, and the Navy. Recruits will spend time in this academy before they go to a specific academy to get the training needed for their own service.

The NDA is in Khadakwasla and it is the world’s first tri-service school. All major conflicts have the participation of the NDA’s alumni. It also boasts 9 Ashoka Chakra recipients and 3 Param Vir Chakra recipients.

So far, the academy has trained 27 service Chiefs Of Staff, three of them are still serving in the Air Force, the Army, and the Navy.

Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India

The Indian Military Academy in Dehradun is the Indian Army’s officer training school. Set up in 1932, the IMA accepts male candidates only.

The IMA is around 8 km to Dehradun, Uttarakhand. The National Highway 72 separates the South and the North Campus. All students of the academy are called Gentleman Cadets, which means they have to uphold pretty high moral values.

The Special Military School Of Saint-Cyr, Coetquidan, France

Students attending the Saint-Cyr have to go through rigorous training and when they graduate, they will receive an M.S or an M.A.

The founder of the academy is one of history’s greatest military leaders, Napoleon Bonaparte and his motto for it is still in use: “They study to vanquish.” The Saint-Cyr alumni have participated in nearly every major battles in Europe as well as the world. The most famous graduate of the school is Charles De Gaulle, former president of France from 1944 to 1946.

PLA National Defense University, Beijing, China

PLA National Defense University is China’s equivalent of West Point. The academy is established by merging several political and military academies.

Most senior commanding staff and researchers are trained here although some high-ranking officers will have to attend China’s Academy of Military Sciences also.

General Staff Academy, Moscow, Russia

This school might not be very famous but it has trained some high-ranking officers for Russia as well as the USSR for years.

The General Staff Academy was meant to train the best officers for the Soviet Armed Forces, who will rise to the top ranks.

Unlike other academies on this list, which train officers from the beginning of their career, this school only admits those with experience, meaning many of them might be in their 30s and are holding ranks like General or Colonel.

National Defense Academy Of Japan, Yokosuka, Japan

Established in 1953, the National Defense Academy offers training for those who want to serve in the Japan Self-Defense Force.

This school has some differences with other academies on this list. First of all, all attendees receive a salary while they are still in school as they are considered employees of the Ministry of Defense.

Lastly, students must attend the Officer Candidate Schools of their choice after graduating. Those who are interested in higher education can also pursue master’s or doctoral degrees, as long as they have the endorsement of supervisors.

South African Military Academy, Saldanha, South Africa

The South African Military Academy was set up in 1950 and worked similarly to the military training system of the U.S. This school’s graduates will serve in the South African National Defense Force.

The academy is home to around 300 men and women in training as well as 48 faculty members and professors. Graduates from the South African Military Academy hold bachelor degrees in the fields of their choice.

>>> Future Soldiers May Control Military Drones With Their Minds