10 Best Military Academies From Around The World
Functional militaries are a fine-oiled machine that has numerous moving cogs to make them run correctly. One of the most important aspects of the military is its leadership. The officers of a military call the shots and direct the troops in a way they best see fit.
The military leadership tends to come from high-end and prestigious military academies from around the world. These schools are meant to give the knowledge and experience necessary to ensure that their officers and leaders will have a positive impact on the battlefield. The best military academies in the world are West Point in the United States, RAF College Cranwell in the United Kingdom, and The Special Military School of Saint-Cyr in France.
The 10 Best Military Academies Around The World
| Rank | Academy | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Point | United States |
| 2 | RAF College Cranwell | United Kingdom |
| 3 | The Special Military School Of Saint-Cyr | France |
| 4 | PLA National Defense University | China |
| 5 | General Staff Academy | Russia |
| 6 | National Defense Academy Of Japan | Japan |
| 7 | Hellenic Military Academy | Greece |
| 8 | National Defense Academy | India |
| 9 | Pakistan Military Academy | Pakistan |
| 10 | South African Military Academy | South Africa |
1. West Point - United States
The most prestigious and well-respected military school in the world is West Point in the United States. First founded in 1802, West Point has produced plenty of America's best military leaders and generals.
Not only has West Point churned out great military leaders but it has also been the source of two American Presidents. Both Ulysses S. Grant and Dwight D. Eisenhower attended West Point and went on to enjoy success in both their military and political careers.
2. RAF College Cranwell - United Kingdom
The Royal Air Force College Cranwell became the first air academy in 1919 at the end of the First World War. The conflict made it abundantly clear that aircraft were now to play a pivotal role in any modern military, and the British wanted to get a head start.
The College is responsible for the training of RAF personnel wanting to become commissioned officers as well as recruiting for the RAF. Entering the RAF is not easy and it takes an incredibly sharp wit and intellect to even qualify for selection.
3. The Special Military School Of Saint-Cyr - France
The Special Military School of Saint-Cyr (École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr) was first founded in 1803 by none other than Napoleon Bonaparte. The fruits of this academy bloomed almost immediately as Napoleon and his armies subjugated much of Europe at the time.
The school was moved close to Versailles by Napoleon but during the Second World War, much of it was destroyed. Since the end of the war, the academy was relocated once more to Coetquidan, Brittany. It continues to function as France's premier military school.
4. PLA National Defense University - China
Located right in the heart of Beijing, the PLA National Defense University has played a huge role in China's attempt to modernize its armed forces. Founded only in 1985, the university was brought together from a former collection of both military and political schools.
This school trains all of China's senior commanders and military researchers. However, it is also common for those who study at the PLA National Defense University to go on to study at China's Academy of Military Sciences as well.
5. General Staff Academy - Russia
The history of the General Staff Academy goes back to the time of the Russian Empire. In 1838, the school was established in St. Petersburg in an effort to modernize the often slow-moving and lumbering Russian military. It was only renamed the General Staff Academy during the Soviet Era.
The school has a good reputation for turning out competent and capable generals however, many of the graduates go on to get entangled in party politics. This was especially true during Soviet times. Some notable alumni are Abdolhossein Teymourtash, Fyodor Radetsky, and Nikolai Stoletov.
6. National Defense Academy Of Japan - Japan
The National Defense Academy of Japan integrates all branches of its military and trains all of its officers within the same institution. Students undergo a famously challenging four-year program, forming them into capable leaders for the Japanese military.
Created in 1953, the academy also offers purely academic programs for exceptionally gifted students. By all accounts, the academy does a good job of producing effective officers. Plenty of government officials, politicians, and even astronauts have come out of this program.
7. Hellenic Military Academy - Greece
Also known as the Evelpidon Military Academy, this military school was first founded in 1828 by Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first Governor of modern Greece. The officers and leaders it has produced have served Greece in numerous conflicts ranging from the Balkan Wars to World War 2.
In 1982, the school was relocated to Vari, a suburb of Athens. It has stayed there ever since and continues to produce some of the best officers in the world. It is not uncommon for graduates to go on and find success outside of the military as well. There have been countless authors and mathematicians who once attended the Hellenic Military Academy.
8. National Defense Academy - India
The Indian military during the days of the British Raj was one of the largest armies in the world numbering in the millions at the height of the Second World War. After the British left India and partitioned the subcontinent the new Indian government developed their own military school modeled after West Point.
Even today, India's military is one of the largest and most powerful in the world. The National Defense Academy has done a great job of producing well-equipped leaders to run such a large organization. There have been countless notable graduates from this school; however, the most famous graduate was likely Rakesh Sharma, India’s first cosmonaut.
9. Pakistan Military Academy - Pakistan
The Pakistan Military Academy was first established in 1947 but in a similar vein to India, has much of its roots from the British Raj. The PMA was modeled after West Point and the Special Military School of Saint-Cyr.
Students here take part in a four-year program that molds them into ideal leaders for Pakistan's formidable army. The program focuses heavily on subjects such as English, military geography, international affairs, Islamic studies, and general & social science.
10. South African Military Academy - South Africa
Modeled after West Point, the South African Military Academy is one of the most underrated military schools in the world. Located north of Cape Town at Saldanha Bay, the school was first founded in 1950 and has remained a stable of the South African military ever since.
Like other schools, military training and preparation is of course paramount, but many graduates go into other fields in the private sector after graduation. The quality of the education that can be found here is generally regarded as one of the best available in South Africa.
Military schools are a crucial part of preparing future leaders for life in the armed forces. Institutions like West Point, RAF College Cranwell, and The Special Military School of Saint-Cyr have a storied history of producing competent and influential military leaders. Regardless of how well-trained or equipped the average soldier is, they are almost useless without proper leadership and guidance from generals and officers.
