The Military Academy

The military school: The Pre-Independence Era

Following World War One, the French Army organized different army units in the colonized countries. As a result the necessity for national officers, translators and specialists was needed in order to establish departments for these units and then to become preparation for their independence.

History of the foundation of the Military School

A Military School was established in Damascus in 1921 to prepare and train officers needed for these new units. In 1932, the Military School was relocated in Homs.

The managerial Staff in the pre-independence period

The managerial Staff of the School during that period consisted of:

• The school Commander : A French Officer.
• The Commander assistant: A Lebanese or Syrian officer.
• Training Officers and their NCO’ s assistants: Lebanese, Syrian or French.

The enrollment and graduation took place during the month of October of every year.

The Military School Task – Pre-Independence period

The military school trained cadets for various periods as follows:

• Three years for those who were not proficient in French.
• Two years for those who were proficient in French.
• One year for NCOs.

At the end of the training period, they graduate and get promoted to lieutenant rank according to a degree. During the graduation ceremony which is often chaired by the Syrian prime minister, the graduating officers are given:

• Platoon commander certificate each in his own specialty : Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery, Engineering.
• Certificate of competence for the rank of lieutenant.

After the graduation, the officers are assigned to different army units where they establish the necessary departments and units in order to train, habilitate and lead.

Provisons of admission to the military school in that era

The following conditions are required for admission to the school:

• Must be Lebanese or Syrian nationality from a Lebanese or Syrian father.
• Age 18 to 25 years on 31 December of the year of admission (single, divorced or widower).
• Holder of the brevet certificate.
• Pass the admission test.

The establishment of an independent military school in Lebanon

On the 15th of August 1945, the school barracks were handed over to the Syrian authorities and the Lebanese and French units moved to Lebanon.

Instructors and students joined the Kobbe barracks in Tripoli and they were put administratively under the authority of the third battalion’s company located there.

After that students were given a 15 days leave and were asked to join a camp in kousba they joined a camp in Kousba - Koura - North Lebanon.

On September 25, the school moved to St Antonios convent in Baabda, and settled there for about one year.

On the 14th of October 1946, the school moved to Shukri Ghanem barracks in Fayadieh and was attached administratively to the command and administration department and the buildings consisted of barracks that were used by the British before they left Lebanon and the school remained in this location till now.

On the 31st of December 1951, the Lebanese president Beshara el Khoury inaugurated the school new buildings.

The Lebanese Military School was named as "The Military Academy"

On August 17, 2011 and according to law No: 163 dated 17/8/2011 the lebanese military School was named as "The Military Academy".

The emblem:

The emblem is composed of a hand grapping flame of fire embraced with two green spikes and topped by the motto “Knowledge” - “Sacrifice”. The hand grip holding the flame of fire denotes the will of sacrifice, endurance and confrontation against all hardships and difficulties in pursuit of knowledge.

New conditions for admission

The candidate must have met the following requirements:

• Lebanese for more than 10 years.
• Age : between 18 and 23.
• Not governed by felony or the attempt of a felony of any kind, or by disgraceful Misdemeanor or the attempt of an indecent Misdemeanor, or by imprisonment for a period that exceed six months and these judgments applied on people who benefit from the pardon (general pardon or special pardon).
• Bachelor divorced or widower (no children).
• Good Reputation’ not addicted to alcohol, gambling or drugs.
• Lebanese bacc. II or its equivalence.
• Fits for military service.
• Undergo a test and be chosen according to his level.
• Ready to sign a contract for a period which is defined by the institute that he is applying for.
• Ready to commit in writing when accepted and before entering the military academy his readiness to break ties and cancellation of his affiliation to any party, association, or union and the non attendance of their meetings.

Tests for enrolment

The admission test to the military academy goes through four phases:

• First phase: IQ test.
• Second phase: physical fitness test.
• Third phase: Medical test.
• Fourth phase: writing and evaluation test.

Candidates will be able to continue in each of the following phases only if they have passed in the previous phase.
 

The army commandment with the approval of the military council, set out annually and before conducting the admission tests the special terms and conditions of each phase of the test.

The mission of the military academy: habilitation and training

• Students officers to become 2LT as a platoon leader in the various branches, army, internal security forces, customs, general security forces, country security forces).
• Specialists officers recruited automatically as experienced officers according to their fields of studies.
• Subordinate officers (Company Commander Course, or divers courses).
• Flag service officers (military draft Officers).
• The non-commissioned officers who are eligible to become officers.

To achieve its mission, the academy concentrates on

• Moral and habilitation development, behavior, trustworthiness, honesty, and discipline.
• Developing military and technical culture for recent officers.
• Improving body strength to undergo army hardships.
• Enlarging students skills and knowledge in the general culture and scientific research.
• Preparing the academy staff and cadets to achieve and accomplish actual missions and duties outside the academy.