Pakistan Military Academy

Pakistan Military Academy
at Kakul
Motto in English
 Men at their Best
Established August 14, 1947
Type Pakistani service academy
Chancellor President of Pakistan
Superintendent Chief of Army Staff
Commandant Major Gen Nadeem Raza
Academic staff
 3,000–4,000 (both civilian and military)
Location Kakul, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Campus Rural
Colours Green and Red
        
Sports Sport Divisions
P.A. Basketball
Pakistan Army F.C.
Nickname PMA
Kakul Academy
Affiliations Higher Education Commission, National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan
Website pakistanarmy.gov.pk

The Pakistan Military Academy at Kakul (PMA), also known as PMA Kakul, is a two-year accredited[1] federal service military academy.[2] It is located at Kakul in Abbottabad. The Pakistan Military Academy is similar in function to Sandhurst, Saint-Cyr, and West Point, and provides training to the officers of Pakistan Army and Allied countries. The academy has three training battalions, and 12 companies. Approximately 2,000 invited guests from over 34 countries tour the facility each year. Many close allies of Pakistan send their own cadets and officers to receive premier training in modern military doctrine at PMA. On July 22,2015 COAS will inaugurate the incoming 4th battalion for training.

History

Pakistan Military Academy in 1948.

Before the dissolution of British India in 1947, the location had initially been used as the premises of a PT and Mountaineering School of the British Indian Army, on the site of an old POW Camp for prisoners from the Boer War,[3] and later it became the premises of the Royal Indian Army Service Corps. After the division of the old Indian Army between India and Pakistan in 1947, Brigadier Francis Ingall, an officer of the British Indian Army, was selected by the C-in-C India, Field Marshal Sir Claude Auchinleck, as first commandant of the Pakistan Military Academy, established at Kakul. He determined that the PMA would be organized based upon the model established by Sandhurst and requested a regimental sergeant major from the Brigade of Guards to help with training. He was fortunate to have the support of a number of old Indian Army officers who were transferred to the Pakistan Army, among them Lieutenant-Colonel Attiqur Rahman, Major S.G.Mehdi M.C., the first PMA adjutant and founder of Qasim company, fondly known as "Killer" Mehdi, who later on went to command the SSG ( Special Service Group) of the Pakistan Army. In spite of facilities which were nowhere near the level of those enjoyed by the Indian Military Academy at Dehra Dun, Ingall won the confidence of his cadets and instructors. When, late in 1947, the dispute over the accession of Jammu and Kashmir led to armed conflict between India and Pakistan, Ingall was able to structure the Academy’s training to enable newly commissioned officers to be immediately effective when they joined units on active service. Ingall was appointed OBE after completing his term as commandant in 1950. What probably gave him more satisfaction was the decision to name Kakul’s central lecture theatre Ingall Hall - though this was not built until many years after he had left.[4] He kept in touch with the academy for the rest of his life, making his last visit in November, 1997 where he said:

“ I have given many addresses from this position here and from 1948 to 1951 I was very keen on the question of Pakistan and believed in it. I believed what the Quaid-e-Azam preached. I believe in Islam.[5] ”
Brigadier F.H.B Ingall addressing Gentlemen Cadets at his visit to Pakistan Military Academy at Kakul

Cadets from IMA (66) arrived in October 1947 and new cadets for Ist PMA Long Course (78) and Ist Graduates Course (63) were selected in Pakistan and training started officially in January 1948. Two hundred and seven cadets started their training in January 1948. On January 25, 1948, "The First Pakistan Battalion" was instituted. This battalion has four companies which were "named after the luminaries of Muslim military history" (e.g., Khalid, Tariq, Qasim, and Salahuddin). In March 1948, the First Battalion "was bestowed with Quaid-e-Azam’s patronage as Colonel-in-Chief, and the most coveted claim “The Quaid-e-Azam’s Own".

Khawaja Nazimuddin gave the Quaid-e-Azam banner to the Pakistan Military Academy on behalf of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah. The Quaid-e-Azam banner is held aloft by the champion company at every passing out parade. "Regimental colours presented in 1950 by Liaquat Ali Khan, the first Prime Minister of Pakistan and the National Standard in 1961 by General Muhammad Musa, the then-Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army, have been some of the honours showered on the Academy, which it has always jealously guarded and kept high in letter and spirit."[2]

The 1965 war led to expansion of the academy, and the second battalion of the academy was created in December 1965. This battalion consisted of four companies, called Ghaznavi, Babur, Aurangzeb, and Tipu. In early 1989, the third battalion of the academy was founded. The third battalion's four companies are Haider, Ubaida, Saad, and Hamza.

The man described at the time in the press as the world's most wanted man, Osama bin Laden, was killed in 2011 in a compound in which he was hiding about 5 Kilometres from the Academy.[6] This raised questions as to whether Pakistani military knew of bin Laden's location and if he was shielded.[6][7][8]

Location

Nathia Gali is a popular tourist destination in Abbottabad

The academy is located in Abbottabad, at an elevation of 1,220 meters (4,000 feet). Abbottabad, named after the British administrator James Abbott in the year 1853, is a city located in the Hazara region of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, in Pakistan. The city is situated in the Orash Valley, 50 kilometres (31 miles) northeast of the capital Islamabad and 150 kilometres (93 miles) east of Peshawar at an altitude of 1,260 metres (4,134 ft) and is the capital of the Abbottabad District. It borders Azad Kashmir to the east. The city is well known throughout Pakistan for its pleasant weather, high-standard educational institutions and military establishments as it has a robust presence of soldiers engaged in various activities.[9] The cantonment area of Abbottabad is a beautiful place that is full of greenery, magnificent bungalows and trees. Pine trees are especially common in the area, whereas the climate is moderate both in winters and summers. The city is equipped with markets and all sorts of transport facilities. The city is only at a short distance from the academy. The academy provides an excellent environment for the grooming of young cadets.

Educational philosophy

The educational philosophy of the academy is to impart more than just combat training. The academy provides such an environment that every cadet develops attributes of Courage, Discipline, Integrity, Dignity, Honour and Patriotism. The academy provides all sorts of knowledge and wisdom that will be necessary for the cadets of today to implement when they become officers and are entrusted with an authority. In army all young officers have great respect for their seniors and this character is imparted during their stay at the academy.

Every cadet must be clear of his/her aim of joining the army. With a clear mindset every cadet is required to work hard and with zeal. He should be willing to take risks and lead his team from the front. Team work is an essential part of the extra-curricular activities and field exercises.

Academic courses

The academy offers a 4 years undergraduate program which is Bachelors of Military Arts And Sciences[BMAS] including some common subjects as English, Military Geography, National and International Affairs, Islamic Studies, Military and General Science or Social Science.The long course cadets study two years for the degree before commissioning and complete their degree in their units.Every Gentleman Cadet passing out of the academy has a minimum graduation(from MCE,CEME,MCS,AM College or civil institutes) except for Long Course cadets who complete their degree after their passing out.

Pakistan Military Academy Passing out Parade

The academy also has a Central Library that has a large collection of books on nearly every subject. The library also has journals and research materials. Along with the library the academy also has three massive computer laboratories and four latest computer-controlled Language laboratories. It is important that the cadets be aware of the current national and international news, for which PMA has set up its own broadcast channel.

Apart from the above courses and facilities, Pakistan Military Academy also has a range of clubs and societies which are:

Physical fitness

Cadets of Para Club at Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul

GCs (Gentlemen Cadets) are required to pass various physical tests. The academy has very high physical standards, which all cadets have to achieve in order to pass. The physical requirements increase with promotion to the next term. The basic requirement for cadets of first term is to be able to complete one mile run (1.6 kilometers) in six minutes and thirty seconds. In second term, cadets are required to complete one mile run in six minutes and twenty seconds. For third term cadets one mile time is six minutes and ten seconds and for fourth term cadets i.e. the senior most cadets are required to run one mile within six minutes. Other tests includes push ups, sit ups, chin up, rope test, five mile running, assault course, acid test and agility tests like the horse test. These tests generally test the stamina and strength of a cadet.

LCs are also required to pass physical efficiency tests like GCs, but the standards are bit less keeping in view to their physique. The basic requirement for all lady cadets is to run one mile (1.6 km) within ten minutes. Other tests includes push ups, sit ups, bar hanging, assault course and also undergoes an exercise Qiyadat with GCs. They are entitled to do Horse Riding, Shooting, Swimming, and Fencing; depending on their will. LCs also compete for firing medal and PT medal.

There are also a variety of outdoor clubs that helps in increasing the physical fitness of cadets:

Training

Marching cadets.

At PMA potential officers undergo a series of grueling training programs designed to inculcate the attributes and qualities essential for a career in the Pakistani armed forces. Some features of the training program include:

There are a number of training exercises for cadets, which include:

Battalions

For the sake of training the Gentlemen Cadets are organized in battalions and then further into companies. There are 12 companies in Pakistan Military Academy, all of them are named after famous Muslim warriors and commanders.

1st Pakistan Battalion (Quaid-e-Azam's own)

1st Pakistan Battalion consists of four companies:

2nd Pakistan Battalion (Quaid-e-Azam's own)

2nd Pakistan Battalion consists of four companies:

3rd Pakistan Battalion (Quaid-e-Azam's own)

3rd Pakistan Battalion consists of four companies:

Courses

There are five courses running parallel to each other. The courses are:

The PMA Long Course is for regular commission officers of combat and combat support arms & services. The Long Course has a duration of two years, which is further divided into four terms of six months each. After the 2 year training period Cadets pass out as 2nd Lieutenants.

The PMA Graduate Course is taken by those cadets, who have already graduated. These cadets, like those of the Technical Graduate Course, undergo one year of military training. They pass out as Captains.

Candidates who wish to join the army as an engineer apply for this course. It is necessary that the candidate has attained 12 years of academic education with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Candidates who are successful in all tests conducted by the army for selection are then sent to one of these institutions for a Bachelor of Engineering degree, depending on the field they choose:

Degree Institution
B.E Civil Engineering Military College of Engineering
B.E Electrical Engineering College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
B.E Mechanical Engineering College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
B.E Mechatronics Engineering College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
B.E Computer Engineering College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
B.E Electrical Engineering (Telecom) Military College of Signals
B.E Software Engineering Military College of Signals
B.E Aeronautical Engineering College of Aeronautical Engineering

All of the above institutions are campuses of a public sector university, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad which is one of the top engineering universities of Pakistan. After completing their Bachelor of Engineering degree from one of these institutions, the E-Cadets, as they are called, are sent to Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul for military training of one year after which they directly attain the rank of Captain in their respective units.

To be eligible for this course, a candidate must have attained 12 years of academic education with Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Candidates who pass initial and GHQ Selection Board tests conducted by the army are sent to Army Medical College for MBBS or for Bachelor of Dental Surgery after which they go through a Basic Military Training at Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul for 22 weeks.Apart from GCs of AM College, IC accepts cadets who will to join EME,Signals,RVFC and Army Education Corps with minimum masters in different fields. The IC has a duration of six months. Cadets pass out as Captains.Their military training includes all the essential components required for commissioning as an officer apart from boxing and acid test.

The PMA Lady Cadet's Course was first started in November 2006. The course is taken by masters and bachelors qualified ladies who are sound professionals in their fields. The lady cadets undergo a training period of six months and pass out as Captains in supporting arms of the Pakistan Army.

Notable alumni

As would perhaps be expected of an institution which has a near monopoly on the training of officers in a large country, many alumni have gone on to distinguished careers.

General Muhammad Aziz Khan was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Chief of General Staff

References

  1. ↑ Govt. Pakistan. "HEC Recognized Universities and Degree Awarding Institutions". Govt. Pakistan. Higher Education Commission. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Pakistan Military Academy – Cadets Training". Pakistanarmy.gov.pk. January 25, 1948. Retrieved May 3, 2011.
  3. ↑ Parret, C. (2011) 'Boer Prisoners in Abbottabad', in Journal of Military Historical Society UK, No 1, Spring issue, pp.3–4; and also History of the 5th Gorkha Rifles, 1858-1928 UK, 1929, p.16
  4. ↑ "History of Brigadier Ingall". Defence Journal.
  5. ↑ "Ingall's speech at 1:35 min". Pakistan Army. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Osama bin Laden killed near Pakistan's West Point. Was he really hidden?". CSMonitor.com. September 11, 2001. Retrieved May 3, 2011.
  7. ↑ James Chapman (March 5, 2011). "Osama Bin Laden dead: How did they not know his Abbottabad hideout was there?". Dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved May 3, 2011.
  8. ↑ "Osama Bin Laden's death: How it happened". BBC News. Retrieved May 3, 2011.
  9. ↑ "Pakistan Military Academy – Cadets Training". Pakistanarmy.gov.pk. January 25, 1948. Retrieved May 9, 2011.
  10. ↑ Bavadam, Lyla Bavadam (2008). "Brothers in arms". Retrieved May 27, 2009. The cadets who left for Pakistan formed the First Course of the PMA. Gentleman Cadet No. 391 at the IMA, who became Cadet No. 1 at the PMA, Rahim Uddin Khan, rose to the rank of General and became Joint Chief of Staff in Pakistan and, later, Governor of one of the provinces.

External links