Pakistan Military Academy Explained

Pakistan Military Academy should not be confused with Officers Training School.


Mottoeng:Men at their Best
Established:[1]
Type:Pakistan Army's initial officer training academy
Head:Maj Gen Iftikhar Hassan Chaudhary
Academic Staff:3,000–4,000 (both civilian and military)
Colours: Green and red
Website:https://pakistanarmedforces.com/pakistan-military-academy/

Pakistan Military Academy, also referred to by its acronym (PMA), is an officers training centre located near Kakul village in the city and district of Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Established in October 1947,[2] [1] it is the sole service academy in Pakistan tasked with training cadets to serve as army officers. For educational training, the institution is accredited by the National University of Sciences & Technology.[3] [4] [5] To become an officer, cadets undergo a rigorous two-year military training program. The Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) plays a crucial role in providing training to Gentlemen Cadets (Officer Cadets) from the Pakistan Army as well as from Allied countries. The academy is organized into four training battalions and 16 companies.

The Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) holds significant international prominence, hosting approximately 2,000 invited guests from over 34 countries each year. Many of Pakistan's close allies send their cadets and officers to the PMA to receive advanced training in modern military doctrine. This practice highlights Pakistan Military Academy’s reputation as one of the leading institutions for military education and training.

Former COAS General Raheel Shareef, inaugurated 4th Pakistan Battalion in PMA on 10 October 2016.[6] [7]

History

Before the dissolution of British India in 1947, the location had initially been used as the premises of a Physical Training and Mountaineering School of the British Indian Army, on the site of a vacant POW camp set up in 1902 for just a few months for prisoners from the Boer War,[8] and later it became a dwelling-operating space 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. He selected the vacant location at Kakul for a military academy. 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, who later went on to command the SSG (Special Service Group) of the Pakistan Army. In spite of facilities which were comparably sparse to those of 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.[9] He kept in touch with the academy for the rest of his life, making his last visit in November, 1997 where he said:

A total of sixty-seven cadets (66 Muslims and 1 Christian cadet) arrived from IMA on 15 October 1947[1] 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 eight 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 zealously guarded and kept high in letter and spirit."

The 1965 war led to the 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.

Educational philosophy

The academy offers a two-year undergraduate program leading to the Bachelors in Military Art and Science (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 completing 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 graduation.

The academy believes in proper discipline of a cadet and proper induced discipline. It is based on the principles of Discipline, Honor, Patriotism and the qualities are strictly monitored. Cadets are made to look at current world affairs and ammunition, with subjects being taught in relation to or from the perspective of military operations and history. Cadets are also strongly encouraged to uphold/exalt officer traditional code of conduct in order to mold cadets into being exemplary Army Officers by the end of their term. Communication skills are given great importance and courteousness and consistency are kept a record of and stressed upon. Cadets are provided with modern educational facilities and are equipped with modern labs to bolster learning. A cadet is also trained to react during stress situations and his overall mental capability is worked on.

War tactics are presented to cadets and are part of the curriculum. All curricula or courses? Terminology needs to be consistent throughout an article body. These include discussion of previous war models and ones to anticipate. Cadets are also given navigation training in equipped map rooms and then overall judged in the tactical exercises without troops and professionalism are judged in weapon training areas.[10]

Physical requirements

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 fifteen seconds. For third term cadets one mile time is six minutes and most fourth term 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, and the acid test. These tests generally test the stamina and strength of a cadet.[11]

In the "acid test," cadets begin by traversing a mountain while carrying logs on their shoulders. This is followed by a 14.5 km run in full gear to an obstacle course. Those completing the course are given five rounds with which to hit a target at a distance of 22m.[12]

Lady Cadets 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.

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 16 companies in Pakistan Military Academy, all of them are named after famous Muslim warriors and commanders.

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

1st Pakistan Battalion consists of four companies:

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

2nd Pakistan Battalion consists of four companies:

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

3rd Pakistan Battalion consists of four companies:

4th Pakistan Battalion (Quaid-i-Azam's own)

4th Pakistan Battalion consists of four companies:

Courses

There are five types courses (or curricular plans) running parallel to each other. The types of courses are:

PMA Long Course

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.

Technical Cadet Course (TCC)

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

DegreeInstitution
Military College of Engineering
College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
Military College of Signals
Military College of Signals
Military College of Signals
College of Aeronautical Engineering

After completing their Bachelor of Engineering degree from one of these courses of study, the E-Cadets, as they are called,[13] 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.

Integrated Course (IC)

To be eligible for this course, a candidate must have attained 16-18 years of academic education with coursework in 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 graduate as Captains. This course includes all the essential components required for commissioning as an officer apart from the boxing and acid test.

PMA Lady Cadet's Course (LCC)

The PMA Lady Cadet's Course was first started in November 2006. The course is taken by fa 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.

Mujahid Course (MC)

The Mujahid course was first started in 2011. The Mujahid Course cadets go under the training of one year at PMA, Kakul and pass out 2nd Lieutenants. They serve in Pakistan.[14] The headquarter of Mujahid Regiment is in Bhimber, Kashmir.

List of Commandants

S.NNameStart of tenureEnd of tenureRef.
1Brig F.H.B Ingall, DSO4 Nov 1947 31 Dec 1950
2Brig. G.H Tarvar, DSO 7 Jun 1951 20 Feb 1953
3Brig. G. Pigot, MC 21 Feb 1953 18 Nov 1955
4Brig J. H Souter, MC 19 Nov 1955 7 Apr 1957
5Maj Gen Shoukat Ali Shah 8 Apr 1957 2 May 1959
6Brig Fazal Muqeem Khan, SQA 3 May 1959 17 Oct 1959
7Brig Mohammad Rafi 18 Oct 1959 29 Feb 1964
8Brig Sultan Mohammad 30 Mar 1964 14 Nov 1966
9Brig Abubakar Osman Mitha 15 Nov 1966 23 Nov 1968
10Maj Gen Syed Abid Ali 6 Feb 1969 1 Dec 1969
11Maj Gen Ijaz Ahmed, SK 2 Dec 1969 29 Apr 1970
12Maj Gen Riaz Azim, TPk 30 Apr 1970 10 Feb 1972
13Brig (Later Major General) Abdullah Saeed 11 Feb 1972 20 Nov 1974
14Brig Zamir Ahmed Khan 21 Nov 1974 4 Jun 1976
15Brig (Later Lieutenant General) Ahmad Kamal Khan 5 Jun 1976 15 Feb 1978
16Brig (Later Lieutenant General) Imranuallah Khan 16 Feb 1978 11 Jul 1982
17Maj Gen Rahat Latif 17 Jul 1982 4 Oct 1985
18Maj Gen (Later General & Chief of Army Staff) Asif Nawaz 5 Oct 1985 14 May 1988
19Maj Gen (Later Lieutenant General) Ghulam Muhammad Malik15 May 1988 2 Jul 1990
20Maj Gen (Later Lieutenant General) Lehrasab Khan, SJ 3 Jul 1990 17 April 1992
21Maj Gen (Later Lieutenant General) Muhammad Maqbool 18 Apr 1992 1 Jul 1993
22Maj Gen Malik Saleem Khan 19 Jul 199322 Aug 1995
23Maj Gen Rizwan Qureshi 23 Aug 1995 22 Apr 1997
24Maj Gen (Later Lieutenant General) Jamshed Gulzar 23 Apr 1997 22 Nov 1998
25Maj Gen (Later Lieutenant General) Imtiaz Shaheen 3 Dec 1998 3 Mar 2000
26Maj Gen (Later Lieutenant General) Shahid Hamid 3 Mar 2000 4 Nov 2001
27Maj Gen (Later Lieutenant General) Hamid Rabnawaz 5 Nov 2001 14 Oct 2004
28Maj Gen (Later Lieutenant General) Ahsan Azhar Hayat1 Nov 2004 30 Apr 2006[15]
29Maj Gen (Later Lieutenant General) Nadeem Taj1 May 2006 3 Oct 2007[16]
30Maj Gen (Later Lieutenant General) Zahid Hussain Khan 4 Oct 2007 12 Oct 2008[17]
31Maj Gen (Later General & Chief of Army Staff) Raheel Sharif13 Oct 2008 14 Oct 2010[18]
32Maj Gen (Later Lieutenant General) Mazhar Jamil 15 Oct 2010 15 May 2012[19]
33Maj Gen (Later Lieutenant General) Sadiq Ali 16 May 2012 29 Jul 2013[20]
3430 Jul 2013 28 Oct 2014[21]
35Maj Gen (later General & Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee) Nadeem Raza29 Oct 2014 10 Dec 2016[22]
35Maj Gen (Later Lieutenant General) Abdullah Dogar 15 Dec 2016 Oct 2017[23]
36Maj Gen (Now Lieutenant General) Akhtar Nawaz Oct 201725 Nov 2019[24]
37Maj Gen (Now Lieutenant General) Muhammad Ali 25 Nov 201925 Nov 2020[25]
38Maj Gen (Now Lieutenant General) Omer Ahmed Bokhari 25 Nov 2020 Dec 2022
39Maj Gen Iftikhar Hassan Chaudhary Jan 2023Till date[26]

Notable alumni

Pakistani

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Chief of Army Staff

Others

Alumni who opted for Bangladesh Army in 1971

International alumni

Media

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Partition of the IMA (Indian Military Academy). The Tribune - India newspaper. 26 January 2024.
  2. Book: 19 March 2015. Pakistan Military Academy (a profile). 24 May 2021. Google Books website. Rowman & Littlefield. 9781442241480.
  3. Web site: The Affiliation of NUST with PMA . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20190620043101/http://www.nust.edu.pk/INSTITUTIONS/Schools/NIPCONS/Departments/BMAS/Pages/default.aspx . 2019-06-20 . 2024-01-26.
  4. Web site: HEC Recognized Universities and Degree Awarding Institutions. Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, Government of Pakistan website. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131029200812/http://www.hec.gov.pk/ourinstitutes/pages/default.aspx. 29 October 2013. 24 January 2024.
  5. Web site: Pakistan Military Academy – Cadets Training. January 25, 1948. Pakistanarmy.gov.pk. 26 January 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20110507020020/http://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent.aspx?pId=267&rnd=469. May 7, 2011. dead.
  6. Web site: 2016-10-10 . COAS inaugurates 4th Pakistan Battalion in PMA . 2022-05-04 . Times of Islamabad . en.
  7. Web site: General Sharif inaugurates fourth Pakistan Battalion at military academy . 2022-05-04 . Dunya News. 14 February 2008 .
  8. 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
  9. Web site: History of Brigadier Ingall. Defence Journal. 2024-01-26. 2008-10-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20081014040906/http://www.defencejournal.com/oct98/brig_fhb_ingall.htm. dead.
  10. Web site: Historical Background of Pakistan Military Academy. 24 May 2021. Pakistan Army website.
  11. Pakistan Military Academy. Anthony Spaeth. Pakistan Armed Forces (Magazine). 22 July 2008. 24 May 2022.
  12. Dangerous Ground (Pakistan Military Academy). Anthony Spaeth. TIME (Magazine). 22 July 2002. 26 January 2024.
  13. by whom?
  14. Web site: Pakistan Mujahid Force Jobs 2021 Training Course as Sipahi . 19 June 2021 .
  15. Web site: 2006-04-16 . National security strategy being pursued: Shaukat . 2022-05-05 . Brecorder . en.
  16. Web site: 2007-04-08 . Convocation of 115th PMA long course held . 2022-05-05 . DAWN.COM . en.
  17. Web site: 2007-12-26 . KARACHI: Mausoleum centre of Quaid's birth anniversary celebrations . 2022-05-05 . DAWN.COM . en.
  18. Web site: 2013-11-29 . General Raheel Sharif officially assumes army command . 2022-05-04 . The Express Tribune . en.
  19. Web site: 2015-06-05 . Inside the Pakistan Army: Moves on the Chessboard . 2022-05-04 . South Asian Voices . en.
  20. Web site: Agencies . 2012-12-25 . Ceremony at the Quaid's mausoleum . 2022-05-04 . DAWN.COM . en.
  21. Web site: Khan . Iftikhar A. . 2018-09-30 . ISI chief among five generals retiring . 2022-05-04 . DAWN.COM . en.
  22. Web site: Lt Gen Nadeem Raza appointed CJCSC . 2022-05-04 . Dunya News. 14 February 2008 .
  23. Web site: Passing out parade held at PMA Kakul . 2022-05-04 . www.geo.tv . en.
  24. Web site: Pakistan Military Academy Kakul cadets take guard duty at Quaid's mausoleum . 2022-05-04 . www.thenews.com.pk . en.
  25. Web site: 145th birth anniversary of Quaid-i-Azam celebrated . 2022-05-04 . www.thenews.com.pk . en.
  26. Web site: Passing-out parade of 145th PMA Long Course held at Kakul . 2022-05-04 . www.thenews.com.pk . en.