Colegio Militar Caldas

The Colegio Militar Caldas or Caldas Military Academy, was created for the Cooperative of Retired Soldiers in Bogotá, Colombia in 1960, under the name Colegio Militar Cooperativo in the ancient installations of the "Ramírez Military Academy" One of the former students, Convers, Roberto, become the Vice-Principal. The installations of the "Colegio Militar Caldas" were located in Usaquen, exactly the "Francisco Miranda: neighborhood, 106th Street and 9th Avenue, near to the Canton Norte.

Overview

The institution has moved to the town of Tenjo, Cundinamarca. Many career military people were students there including: Rafael Cely Vega and his brother Luis Cely Vega of the Colombian Police and GAULA division of the Colombian Army.

The academy was directed by several retired military people, including Colonel Camilo Acevedo Velez and Mayor Pinillos, and was part of the military system of the Colombian Armed Forces.

The basic education was Elementary and High School. The students also get military training and they receive the tile of sub-official of the reserve army. Only one student: Brigadier Cely Vega (Rafael) become an effective lieutenant of the armed forces.

The buildings were 6 x 6 city blocks that included a soccer field and parade camp, volleyball and basketball fields, main building and class rooms for the students: One with 5 floors was a dormitory for the permanent students.

From 1960 to 1970 the students used the same military uniform as the armed forces, then by a government ordinance the military academies had to have a different uniform, also the military training was reduced to basic military service.

From 1960 to 1989 the Academy was part of the Infantry armed forces, then become part of the Cavalry forces and in the early 1990s women students were accepted.

The alumni of the academy participate in parades and events in the cultural and social life of the country such as the 20 of July Independence's Parade, also in 1969 they were the Honor Guard for the visit to Colombia of His Holiness Pope Paul VI.