Pakistan Military Academy (PMA or PMA Kakul), (Urdu: پاکستان عسکری اکادمی) is Pakistan Army Officers Training Academy located near Kakul Village in City and District Abbottabad , Khyber Pakhtunkhwa[1] established in 1947.[2] It is the sole academy in Pakistan worked with transforming Men and lady cadets into Army Officers. For educational training the institution is accredited with NUST University.[3][4][5] Cadets have to go through 2 years of vigorous extensive military training until they can finally be termed an Officer. Pakistan Military Academy provides training to Gentlemen Cadets (Officer Cadets) of Pakistan Army and Allied countries. The academy has four training battalions, and 16 companies. Approximately 2,000 invited guests from over 34 countries visit this institution each year. Many close allies of Pakistan send their own cadets and officers to receive premier training in modern military doctrine at PMA.
Former COAS Gen Raheel Shareef, inaugurated 4th Pakistan Battalion in PMA on October 10, 2016.[6][7]
History
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,[8] 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 went on 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.[9] He kept in touch with the academy for the rest of his life, making his last visit in November, 1997 where he said:
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 zealously guarded and kept high in letter and spirit."[5]
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.
Location
Pakistan military academy is located in the city of Abbottabad. It is purposely located in a cool environment to boaster a healthy environment for the cadets.
The town is equipped with bazaars for all the necessary basic commodities and also has modern running transport for easy transportation of cadets that hail from places spread out all around the country.[11]
The cantonment areas have an old church, bungalows and a club at the top of the hill. The city is known for its Simla Pahari which has expansive views from the top and a theme park located on its peak.[12]
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 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.
The academy believes in proper grooming 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 go through current world affairs and ammunition with everything taught being in relation to military. Cadets are also made to adore officer traditional code of conduct and are perfectly sculptured into an Army Officer 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 boaster learning. A cadet is also made 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. These include discussion of previous war models and the ones to be used in future. 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.[11]
Facilities
Facilities offered include latest Firing Simulators to a gaming arena. The academy also offers E-learning equipment and each cadet is equipped with a laptop for assignment submission. Cadets are kept up to date with latest military technologies and given an in-hand experience with weapons. The academy also includes a paintball arena.
The academy offers a large central library with wide collection of books and literal material. It also offers reading rooms with visual aid and projectors.
The academy is equipped with three large computer labs with modern technologies and cadets are offered programming courses, as well as BBC credited courses and audio visual programs. The academy is also equipped with science labs and language labs.
Sports is a vital part of a GCs life and is greatly emphasized on to build leadership qualities and produce the sportsman spirit. The academy offers a wide range of sports facilities. The include cricket grounds, football groups, tennis courts, badminton courts, squash courts, polo grounds, swimming pools, rugby ground, basketball courts, karate, taekwondo and mixed martial arts training, fencing facility and boxing rings and all equipped gymnasiums.
Cadets are also offered training in para gliding, sailing, sky diving, scuba diving, angling, surfing, hunting and also have to undertake compulsory boxing training.
Academy offers many indoor and outdoor clubs which include :-
Indoor Clubs
- Science Club
- Computer Club
- Crafts Club
- Drama Club
- Debating Club
- Music Club
- Fine Arts Club
- Camera Club
- Graphics Club
- Literary Club
- Physical fitness[13]
Outdoor Clubs
- Para Club
- Gliding Club
- Angling Club
- Hiking Club
- Riding Club
- Judo and Karate Club
- Health and Hygiene Club
- Frogman Club
- Rifle Club
- Hunting Club
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 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, and the acid test. These tests generally test the stamina and strength of a cadet.
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.[14]
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:
- First term: Kick Off, Saluting Tests, Cross Country, Sang e Bunyad, Yarmuk, Path Finder and the GCs are required to spend three minutes in the Boxing Ring with another opponent following a lengthy training period.
- Second term: T.M Raiders, Panipat and Assault Course is also added as a part of PT Tests. Qiyadat and the Acid Test.
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:
Reviewed by Janaan Films Team
on
August 14, 2021
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