Bangladesh Military Academy

**Bangladesh Military Academy**
বাংলাদেশ মিলিটারি একাডেমি
	File:BMA logo.jpg Bangladesh Military Academy
Motto	চির উন্নত মম শির
Motto in English	Ever High is My Head
Type	Military
Established	1974
Academic staff	600–700 (both civilian and military)
Undergraduates	550-600
Location	Bhatiary, Chittagong, Bangladesh; 22°25′24″N 91°45′10″E / 22.42333°N 91.75278°E
Campus	850 acres (340 ha) Rural
Colours	Green and red ;

Bangladesh Military Academy (BMA) is the prestigious training institute for the officer cadets of Bangladesh Army. It is located in Bhatiary, near Chittagong HIll Tracts, in the Chittagong District of south-east Bangladesh. The Academy is nestled on the slopes 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 29 November 1973 and later relocated at Bhatiary in 1976. This Academy was awarded National Standard in the year 1979. This academy is one of the best military academies in the world. Bangladesh Military Academy is similar in function to Sandhurst, Saint-Cyr or West Point and provides training to the officers of Bangladesh Army. The officers of Bangladesh Navy and Air-force must take three months training from this academy and It started from the year of 1983.

History

Following the independence of Bangladesh with the break-up of 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.

File:Bhatiary ship.jpg

Bhatiary Ship Breaking Yard

The Academy chose a verse by national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, Chiro Unnata Momo Shir (translation: ever high is my head) as its motto. The Academy was moved to its current location in Bhatiary in 1976. Regular long courses commenced from 1978. The first batch of officers of Bangladesh Army graduated from the academy in 1975.

Objectives Of Bangladesh Military Academy

To inspire each cadet to be a leader of character imbibed with the values of religion, military tradition & dedication to the lifetime of service to the nation.

To train each cadet as a competent infantry platoon commander committed to professionalism.

To educate each cadet as a knowledgeable university graduate with inspiration to enhance academic proficiency.

Honour Code of this academy

A gentleman/gentlewoman cadet shall lead a life of honour and integrity.He or she shall not lie, cheat or steal.

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, officer cadests and mid-shipmen of the Bangladesh Air Force and Navy respectively, and Pre-Commission Training for professor/teacher under officers of Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC). Long Course cadets graduating from this Academy fall under Bangladesh University of Professionals(BUP)curriculum.To foster and inculcate those attributes in a Gentleman Cadet (GC) which will ensure his continuous and progressive development as a regular officer in the Bangladesh Army. To develop future officers for the Bangladesh Army by training the Gentleman Cadets in a way that they can make decisions as and when required by the military profession. BMA is contributing a lot for making the future leaders of Bangladesh Army.

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Battle Inoculation

Cadets of 69 BMA Long Course pose for a group photo during a break in field training.

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 cadets and Bangladesh Air Force cadets).

e. Short Service Commission - 49 weeks

f. Graduate Course - 49 weeks

g. Direct Short Service Commission - 23 weeks

h. Potential Platoon Commanders Course - 05 weeks.

j. Drill Instructor Course - 07 weeks.

k. BCS Officers Orientation Course weeks (01 week in BMA) - 05 weeks.

l. Pre-Commission Training - BNCC - 08 weeks.

Besides, BMA has also trained foreign cadets from Sri Lanka, Nepal, Indonesia, Maldives, Palestine, Singapore and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

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.

Field Training Exercise(FTX)

First Term

a. Exercise Bajramusti (Iron Fist) - To impart the basic knowledge to the cadets/ trainee officers about formation of troops in patrol.

b. Exercise Padakkhep(Onward March)- 1. To enhance the physical and mental endurance of cadets/ trainee officers in forced march in a difficult terrain.

c. Exercise Padakkhep(Onward March) - 2. To enhance the physical and mental endurance of cadets in forced march in x-country route/ terrain.

d. Exercise Dhumketu(Comet). To impart practical lesson to the cadets/ trainee officers in planning, preparation and conduct of raids.

e. Exercise Maranfad(Death Trap). To impart practical lesson to the cadets/ trainee officers on planning, preparation and conduct of ambush.

Second Term

f. Exercise Lauhakapat(Iron Gate). 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.

Third Term

g. 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.

Final Term

g. Exercise Lalghora(Red Horse). 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(Acid Test). To impart practical lesson to the cadets/ trainee officers in all type of major operations of war.

Miscellaneous Military Training

a. Map reading exercise. To impart basic knowledge about Map Reading to the cadets and trainee officers. It includes Outdoor exercise on Map reading, Night marching, Uses of Global Positioning System etc.

b. Various Demonstrations & Tactical Exercise Without Troops(TWET). Various Demonstrations and Tactical Exercise Without Troops on different operations (Major & Minor) are conducted in BMA for cadets throughout the term.

c. Weapon Training. To impart practical knowledge on handling and use of various types of weapon and develop firing efficiency.

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

e. Field Engineer Training. To impart basic knowledge on field engineering.

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

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

Academic Training

This training is mainly conducted to prepare the cadets of long courses for qualifying in the Bachelor of Arts(BA)/ Bachelor of Science(BSc) (Pass Course) examinations.From 67 BMA Long Course there will be a common degree. That is Bachelor Of Defence Studies(BDS). 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.

Remote army camp in Chittagong Hill Tracts
Bangladesh Navy Flotilla visit
Comilla war cemetery (WWII)
Comilla Cantonment visit

Club Activities

Rappelling Club

To develop the courage, confidence level, physical and mental stamina of a cadet, this club started its journey in the year 1989. Cadets of 2nd term & 3rd term can be the members of this club. The third term cadets near the end of term get an excellent opportunity to carry out rappelling from hovering helicopter.

Riding Club

This club was established to give the cadets basic knowledge of horse riding.Cadets of 2nd term & 3rd term can be the members of this club.This club has horse of various origins like Arabian, Indian, Pakistani & Bangladeshi.

Frogman Club

Normally the members of frogman club join Frogman Course. To meet this thrilling event, members of this club must have both physical and mental endurance. The frogman course is conducted under direct supervision of Bangladesh Navy. Cadets and Officers are awarded with Insignia after successful completion of course.

Para Club

In the para club cadets are trained about para jumping. It is an event that demands lot of strength, mental determination and courage and physical determination as well. When a cadet completes Basic para course, he is entitled to wear para insignia. The course is conducted in SI&T(School of Infantry and Tactics) Sylhet.

Arts and Crafts Club

The aim of this club is to find out the hidden talents from the cadets.It is one of the glorious opportunity to flourish their talents.

Cultural Club

The aim of this club is to ensure recreational facilities of cadets. Necessary equipments can be found there.

Computer Club

This club works on educating cadets about computer. Make them confident about handling of computer.

Publications

BMA has two publications namely CHIRO UNNOTO MOMO SHIR (EVER HIGH IS MY HEAD) is BMA magazine and PADAKHKHEP (ONWARD MARCH)a professional journal. Both the publications published once in a year.

Affiliation

The Academy provides a two year academic programme combined with intense military training. It is affiliated with the Bangladesh University of Professionals and provides 3 year Bachelors degrees. Every cadet has to study Military Science in this institution. They've to learn every thing practically.

Facilities

The Academy has number of facilities required for Military Academies of international repute, which include

Firing ranges
Firing Simulator
Close Quarter battle ring
Troops of Training Support Companies.

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Final Term Cadets are Crossing Podium

Battle Inoculation Range
Assault Course range
Ambush filed
Model Room for Tactical studies
HD projection system in wide screen
Class room equipped with computer and projector
Olympic Grade Swimming pool
Rappelling Tower
Confidence Tower
Tiger Chase Ground
Horse Riding ground
Driving Track
Language Lab
Library
Sports facilities
Indoor PT Shed etc.

The academy is also fitted with its own Masjid including for cadets from different religious backgrounds.

Battalion

The academy has one battalion: 1st Bangladesh Battalion. 1st Bangladesh Battalion consists of four companies:

*Jahangir Company *Rouf Company *Hamid Company *Mustafa Company

External links