Colegio Militar Caldas
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The "Colegio Militar Caldas" or Caldas Military Academy, was created for the Cooperative of Retired Soldiers in Bogotá, Colombia in 1960, under the name: Colegio Militar Cooperativo in the ancient installations of the "RamÃrez Military Academy" (One of the former students, Convers, Roberto, become the Vice-Principal. The installations of the "Colegio Militar Caldas" were located in Usaquen, exactly the "Francisco Miranda: neighborhood, 106th Street and 9th Avenue (on Bogota's address system), near to the Canton Norte, (Military installations for the Colombian Army, motorized, infantry and cavalry divisions).
The history of the Colegio Militar Caldas is very interesting, many career militars were students there: Rafael Cely Vega and his brother Hernan Cely Vega of the Colombian Police and GAULA division of the Colombian Army were one of the most prominent and promisory students, back in 1970.
Thge academy was directed by several retired militars, among them: Colonel Camilo Acevedo Velez, Mayor (??), and was part of the military sistem of Colombian Armed Forces.
The basic education was Elementary and High School. The students also get military training and the receive the tile of sub-oficial of the reserve army. Only one student: BrIgadier Cely Vega (Rafael or Hernanm) become an effective leutenient of the armed forces.
The installations were a huge 6 x 6 city blocks that include: Soccer field (and parade camp), voleyball and basketball fields, main building and buildings for the students: One with 5 floors were, at one time was a dormitory for the permanent students. (Many students can related histories to the TAPS movie or the "La Ciudad y los Perros" from Vargas-Llosa famous novel)
From 1960 to 1970 the students using the same miltary uniform as the armed forces, then by a government ordinance the military academies need to had a different uniform, also the military training was reduced to basic military service. From 1960 to 1989 the Academy was part of the Infantry armed forces, then become part of the Cavalry forces and in the early 90's women students were accepted.
The alumni of the academy participated in parades and events in the cultural and social life of the country as the 20 of July, Independence's Parade, also in 1969 the were the Honor Guard for the visit to Colombia of His Holines Pope Paul VI.
