Top 05 International Military Schools

This list can be seen as a supplement to a similar list made here at TopTenz, which included US military schools. It wasn't much thought, by me and readers of the original list alike, to say something about military institutions of higher learning beyond America's borders. And indeed there.

Interestingly (though not surprisingly), not all countries run their military academies the same way the United States does, while most international military academies train their American counterparts to train men and women to become leaders in the armed forces. Missions give mirrors, but not all of them do. Include post-secondary education.

After some thought, I have added some schools to the list that do not offer such a program (ie British and Brazilian). This is because the main focus of these lists - in my opinion anyway - has always been the military training aspect. There are many international schools that specialize in graduating senior military officers and, in my opinion, deserve to be included in any list dealing with this subject. After all, the backbone of any military school is developing leaders, and they do it very well.

Without further ado, here are the top 05 best international military schools:

1. The Royal Canadian Military College

For reasons I am constantly told, America's neighbor to the north escapes most people's attention. Canada, a sleeping giant, has a rich military history of its own, though its contributions may not have received the same attention as other nations. However, the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) continues to prepare officers for service in the Canadian Armed Forces. RMC is Canada's only federal, degree-granting military university. 

Located in Point Frederick, Kingston

RMC, an accredited institution of higher education, offers 19 undergraduate programs (in engineering, arts, and sciences), 34 graduate programs, and 14 doctoral programs. The school has many different academic fields available to students, depending on their specific commitment (or lack thereof) to service in the Canadian Armed Forces. The Regular Personnel Training Program caters for students who will commit to five years of service after completing their education (the program is actually a scholarship). These students are fully compensated by the Canadian government, and receive a monthly stipend to cover additional expenses. Other programs within the school allow students to attend without the obligation of military service (requiring them to pay their own expenses). Eligibility for admission to the school requires that a prospective student meet the criteria set for the school's undergraduate programs, as well as the specific requirements for officers of the Canadian Armed Forces

In terms of cadet life on campus, RMC operates like the United States Military Academies. The cadets, called the cadets, make up the cadet wing of the school. The cadet wing is then divided into smaller squadrons and flying formations. Students have a hierarchical rank to adhere to, as well as the responsibility for managing the day-to-day activities of the ward (eg discipline, assignment details, etc.). A strict code of military tolerance and discipline is expected to be established, and will be enforced. Students are required not only to participate in RMC's rigorous academic offerings, but also to master the various stages of military and leadership training.

During their first year, cadets undergo extensive training. Students are required to march wherever they go, maintain incredibly high dress standards, and participate in rigorous physical training. Also, cadets are not permitted to leave campus or receive visitors during their first year. After the successful completion of the first academic year, the cadets continue their training, albeit under slightly less pressure. In addition, cadets will begin to assume leadership roles within the Cadet Wing to better prepare them for careers of leadership and service in the armed forces.

With a proud tradition spanning 135 years, the Royal Military College of Canada has provided the Canadian Armed Forces with leaders who have enabled its military to serve with distinction.

2. The Royal Belgian Military Academy

Belgium has not traditionally been recognized as a military juggernaut. However, people outside the European Union may be surprised by the central role Belgium plays on the international scene. For example, Brussels is the unofficial capital of the European Union, not to mention the location of the headquarters of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Meanwhile, Belgium maintains a professional military establishment and is ready to defend Belgium's national interests and treaty obligations in NATO.

The Royal Military Academy is the country's military university. Founded in 1834 and based on the standards of the French Écoles grandes (elite universities), it aimed to educate the future officers who would form the leadership of its armed forces. Located in Brussels, the school is fully accredited and awards degrees (Bachelor's and Master's) under a 5-year system (3 years for the BA and the last 2 years for the Master's). Admission is competitive for prospective students. First, prospective students must successfully pass a set of military entrance exams, which are given to every potential participant in the Belgian Army. After that, students must perform well in public examinations. At this point, they compete with the school's other potential entrants, with those who achieve the highest scores getting the coveted and limited places available each academic year (about 400 or so).

Once inside, the RMA begins to transform young men and women into military leaders. As at most national military academies, tuition and expenses are entirely subject, and cadets receive a small stipend during their time at the school. With an emphasis on physical and military training along with character development, RMA looks and feels just as one would expect at any higher military educational institution. This is due to the combined efforts to provide students with a beneficial mix of academic and military training. The school's academic offerings are among the best found in Europe. In addition to its bachelor's and master's degrees, the school also has a graduate doctoral program as well as leading research opportunities.

Student life at RMA is somewhat more relaxed than at US military academies, but still military-oriented. For the first three years at the school, students will share rooms with 2 or 3 other students. During the fourth year, students may choose single rooms. Students will spend most of their time on campus, although they are allowed to visit on weekends and one night a week (assuming they are in good standing). In addition, since every army in the world is physically demanding, students are required to participate in at least 5 hours of physical activity/sports per week.

Finally, students are also required to attend military camps twice a year during their stay at the school. These camps will focus on the military and leadership skills required to become an effective officer in the armed forces. Camp one lasts about two weeks in January, while camp two lasts about a month in July. At least one camp will be outside the borders of Belgium.

3 - Academy Militar das Agulhas Negras (Brazil)

In English, the name of this noble institution is translated as "Military Academy of the Black Needles." Besides being the most famous military institution in South America, the coolness of the name alone deserves a spot on our list (the name is derived from the school grounds). Located in Resende, Rio de Janeiro, the Academy Militar das Agulhas Negras (AMAN) traces its roots back to 1792, making it a model for future military academies in North America as well as the first. Through many incarnations, the school has evolved into the largest military academy in Brazil, educating and training cadets to become officers in the Brazilian Armed Forces.

Prospective students who wish to attend AMAN must attend a preparatory course beginning in high school and continuing through college, or win an appointment through an open competition. Suffice it to say that getting into school is the hardest part. It seems that the students enrolled in the AMAN Student Corps have already obtained their post-secondary certificates. In that, once accepted into AMAN, the school's sole focus is on making cadets fully trained and qualified officers (or warlords, as it is translated on their website).

The training is divided into three phases. The first stage lasts two years and can be considered as an indoctrination period. Meanwhile, cadets are introduced to the strict military style, which is a hallmark of military academies around the world. The second phase focuses on leadership training, and the first phase focuses on physical and military training. The third and final phase of training is designed around the specific responsibilities that young officers will need to master to perform the many bars within the armed forces.

It should be noted that the Brazilian military, in addition to facing numerous territorial rivalries, sometimes felt the need to overthrow the elected government. Developing highly trained and educated leadership is essential for such challenging tasks. Aman continues to excel at this.

4. Japan National Defense Academy

Japan has a rich military tradition that goes back centuries. In this regard, the National Defense Academy of Japan (NDAJ) aims to maintain the dignity and honor of military service. However, it is interesting to note that many people are under the impression that Japan does not have a standing army. It is true that with the end of World War II, the Imperial Japanese Military Forces were disbanded. However, with the onset of the Cold War, the United States put great pressure on Japan to assume some of its defense responsibilities. This focus has only increased, as the United States has to deal with other military commitments around the world as well as the emergence of China as a military power in the region.

Founded in 1953 and located in Yokosuka, Kanagawa, NDAJ is a military post-secondary higher education institution. The school's mission is to provide training and education for students who wish to become officers of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. The school offers work at the post-secondary/university level, but does not actually award degrees. This is due to the fact that the NDAJ is not a member of the accreditation organization (National Foundation for Academic Degrees and University Assessment) that awards such awards. However, courses in the NDAJ are duly recognized, and students are awarded postgraduate degrees by the national institution upon application. In line with other Japanese universities, NDAJ offers a strong science and engineering curriculum, where students can earn degrees in these subjects as well as the social sciences.

As with admission to any Japanese university, admission to NDAJ is competitive. This is especially true, given the fact that the government covers all costs associated with attending school. In fact, even if a student withdraws from the program before completion, or refuses to join the military upon graduation (which apparently many do), the student is required to file an NDAJ with the government. There is no need to redo the time spent. However, students are selected on a competitive basis (high school rankings, grades, test scores, extracurricular activities, etc.) against all applicants. One point of concern with the NDAJ is that the school says its primary focus is academics, and that military training is limited to basic levels (additional military training is conducted at the SDF's officer candidate schools).

Military training will, in total, only consume about 1,000 hours of a student's time in school. Cadets or cadets are required to participate in two hours of basic military training each week. In addition, students will undergo further training in the form of a six-week course each academic year. So, at first glance, the NDAJ appears to be lax in its militaristic orientation. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, the NDAJ is similar to its American counterparts. The cadet body makes up the Cadet Corps, which in turn is organized into smaller battalions and platoons. The Corps is a self-governing body, with the cadets serving in their own command and who manage the daily activities of the cadets. Life is organized on the basis of military discipline - formation, marching, wearing uniforms, inspection, etc.

However, the NDAJ is uniquely Japanese. There is a strong desire to produce highly educated officers who are capable of logical and scientific thinking, as well as exhibiting personal qualities that are valued in Japanese society (this will allow them to become effective officers in the three branches of the Self-Defense Forces). As a result, the NDAJ is first and foremost an institution of higher education, and it is one of the most influential schools to exist in Japan.

5- University of the Federal Armed Forces (Germany)

Germany is famous (famously and infamously) for its military prowess. Whichever side the German military establishment fell on, the fact remains that the German armed forces have always been a capable and dangerous war machine. One reason for this is that the German Army stressed maintaining a professional team of highly trained military leaders (in this discussion we are talking about officers - but the German Army has long recognized the importance of soldiers - command and commissioned officers as well).

As part of this initiative, the German government established not one but two universities for the purpose of providing university-level academic education to its officers (and prospective officials). Two of these institutions, the Bundeswehr University in Munich, and the Helmut Schmidt-University (in Hamburg), are administered by the German Armed Forces. However, these two universities are run very differently from other military institutions of higher education. Both institutions are devoted almost entirely to traditional academic offerings, with little military training. In fact, with the exception of the intensity of the academic work, the universities of the Federal Armed Forces (FAFU) are very similar to other German universities.

Officers and officer candidates who attend FAFU can earn bachelor's and master's degrees. The main difference with FAFU from other German universities is that degrees can be obtained one third faster. FAFU academic years are semester based, maintaining a similar weighting (in terms of credits and education) of the courses offered. Thus, a master's degree can be obtained in four years, as opposed to five years in other schools.

Officers and officer candidates attending the school are required to complete 13 years of military service (for Airmen, it's 15). The majority of students at FAFU are military personnel. However, by 2003, the prestige and quality of the courses had increased, and civilian students were allowed to attend the school, provided a place was available and costs were covered by a secondary source (eg business, etc.). For cadets, all costs are covered by the government, and cadets are paid stipends.

Student life at FAFU is very different from that of most military schools and academies. Indeed, FAFU students enjoy a university environment that is similar to any civilian university. Students wear no uniform, are allowed to schedule their lessons and other activities as they see fit, and are not required to obey a strict military-style regimen. In fact, the only visible, military-oriented feature of the FAFU is the military/language training given on Wednesday afternoons. Of course, physical training is emphasized through club sports, in which students are encouraged to participate.

FAFU tips its hat on the high quality of its academic offerings, particularly in the field of scientific research. The school has a particularly strong aerospace engineering program. The core of the school structure is to graduate highly qualified officers, while providing military instruction and the necessary training from other sources.