Bangladesh Military Academy

Bangladesh Military Academy (BMA) is the prestigious training institute for the officer cadets of Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy, and Bangladesh Air Force. It is located in Bhatiari near Chittagong city, in the Chittagong District of south-east Bangladesh. The Academy is nestled on the slope of the Sitakunda hill ranges and also washed by the Bay of Bengal. BMA occupies a picturesque and tranquil terrain at Bhatiary, a small coastal township about 13 kilometres north of port city Chittagong. The Academy was initially raised at Comilla Cantonment on 29th November 1973 and later relocated at Bhatiary in 1976. This Academy was awarded National Standard in the year 1979.

History

Following the independence of Bangladesh from Pakistan in the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, Bangladesh Military Academy was established in Comilla on 11 January, 1974, for training of officers of the Army. The Academy chose a verse by national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, "Chiro Unnata Momo Sheer" (translation: ever high is my head) as its motto. The Academy was moved to its current location in Bhatiary in 1976. Regular training courses commenced from 1978. The first batch of officers of Bangladesh Army graduated from the academy in 1979. Beginning from 1983, it also started providing training for Bangladesh Navy and Air Force.

Training

BMA has tri-dimensional training system encompassing military training, academic enrichment and character building. The Academy primarily provides training to Gentlemen and Gentlewomen cadets for grant of commission in Bangladesh Army. In addition, this Academy also conducts Orientation Course for Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) officers and Pre-Commission Training for professor/teacher under officers of Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC). Long Course cadets are graduated from this Academy under National University curriculum.

Training Course

The training courses run at BMA are as follow

a. Long Course - 104 weeks.b. BMA Special Regular Course - 23 weeks.c. Basic Military Training Course - 23 weeks.d. Joint Services Course - 10 weeks (Bangladesh Navy and Air Force cadet).e. Short Service Commission - 49 weeksf. Graduate Course - 49 weeksg. Direct Short Service Commission - 23 weeksh. Potential Platoon Commanders Course - 05 weeks.j. Drill Instructor Course - 07 weeks.k. BCS Officers Orientation Course weeks (01 week in BMA). - 05l. Pre-Commission Training -BNCC - 08 weeks.

Besides, BMA has also trained overseas cadets namely from Sri Lanka, Maldives, Palestine , Singapore and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Training Activities

Tactical Training. This includes lecture, tutorial discussion, model discussion, tactical exercise without troops, demonstration and field training exercise on all types of major and minor operations of war. The field training exercise are as under :

"a. Exercise Padakkhep"- 1. To enhance the physical and mental endurance of cadets/ trainee officers in forced march in a difficult terrain.

"b. Exercise Padakkhep" - 2. To enhance the physical and mental endurance of cadets in forced march in x-country route/ terrain.

"c. Exercise Dhumketu". To impart practical lesson to the cadets/ trainee officers in planning, preparation and conduct of raids.

"d. Exercise Purbakon". To impart practical lesson to the cadets/ trainee officers on planning, preparation and conduct of ambush.

"e. Exercise Lauhakapat". To impart practical lesson to the cadets on the technique and mechanism of positional defense at company level within the frame work of an Infantry Battalion.

"f. Exercise Ronogati". To impart practical lesson to the cadets in the application of principles, mechanism and conduct of day advance and attack at company level with special emphasis on platoon activities.

"g. Exercise Lalghora". To impart practical lesson to the cadets in the technique of conducting minor operations behind enemy lines without being supplied and support from own side.

"h. Exercise Kashti Pathor". To impart practical lesson to the cadets/ trainee officers in all type of major operations of war. Weapon Training. To impart practical knowledge on handling and use of various types of weapon and develop firing efficiency.

Physical Training. To attain the highest standard of physical efficiency.

Signal Training. To impart working knowledge on wireless and signal equipment.

Engineer Training. To impart basic knowledge on field engineering.

Computer Training. To impart first hand knowledge on computer handling including MS word, Power Point and use of internet.

Academic Training. This training is mainly conducted to prepare the cadets of long courses for qualifying in the Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Science (Pass Course) examinations. Besides, the academic training also aimed at developing communication skill both in English and Bangla through oral and written expression, create awareness of current national, regional and international affairs, widen mental horizon and sense of reasoning.

Training Visits. Training visits are conducted for the final term cadets in each term.

Affiliation

The Academy provides a two year academic programme combined with intense military training. It is affiliated with the National University and provides 2 year Bachelors degrees.

Facilities

The Academy has number of facilities required for Military Academies of international repute, which include Firing range, Firing Simulator, Battle Innoculation Range, Assault Course range, Model Room for Tactical studies, Swimming pool, Rappeling Tower, Horse Riding ground, Language Lab, Library, Sports facilities, Indoor PT Shed etc.

External links

* [http://www.bdmilitary.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=145863 Detailed information and photos on the Bangladesh Military Academy (BDMilitary.com)]
* [http://banglapedia.org/HT/B_0218.htm Article on Bangladesh Military Academy] , Banglapedia

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