Cadet Corps (Russia)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Cadet Corps (in Russian: Kadetskiy Korpus, Кадетский Корпус) is an admissions-based military middle school for young boys that was founded in the Russian Empire in the year 1732, soon becoming widespread throughout the country. The term of education was seven years. All instructors had a military rank, and taught a wide range of subjects, including a full program of military preparation.

A graduate from the corps became a junker and had prime candidacy for a military career.

During the October Revolution cadets and junkers overwhelmingly supported the White movement. Consequently, the Bolshevik government dissolved all cadet corps.

The "Cadet Roll Call", a White emigre cadet periodical

Many cadets emigrated and formed cadet corps in other countries, most notably in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia (Bela Crkva), where they received the patronage of Alexander I of Yugoslavia - himself a graduate from the St. Petersburg cadet corps.

During World War II a number of White emigre cadets joined the Russian Corps, feeling it was a means of continuing the battle against the Bolshevik regime.

After World War II, with the emigration of cadets to the United States, Canada, Argentina, and Australia, White emigre cadet corps ceased to function. A cadet union was formed to unite the graduates of the cadet corps.

After the fall of the USSR, cadet corps were re-established in Russia, and continue to grow.