Hellenic Military Academy

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Στρατιωτική Σχολή Ευελπίδων
Hellenic Military Academy


caption=Hellenic Military Academy
dates=1828-Present
country= flagicon|GRE Greece
branch=Hellenic Army
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type=Academic and Military Education and Training
role=Military Officer Education and Training
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identification_symbol_label=Arm Badge
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The Evelpidon Military Academy ( _el. Στρατιωτική Σχολή Ευελπίδων, lit. "Military School for Aspirant [Officers] ") is the oldest tertiary level educational institution in Greece. It was founded in 1828 in Nafplio by Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first Governor of the modern Greek State.

The institution was created to provide with Officers of the Arms the Hellenic Army, the Technical, Supply, Transportation Corps as well as the Ordnance Corps. Today it accepts candidates from foreign countries as well.

History

The Hellenic Military Academy was founded in 1828 in Nafplio, the first capital of the modern Greek State. In 1834 the Academy was relocated to the Island of Aegina and, in 1837, to the city of Piraeus.

From 1854 to 1857 it was shortly housed in the mansion of the Duchess of Placentia in central Athens (which currently houses the Byzantine Museum). It was then re-positioned to Piraeus and in 1994 the Academy was permanently established in Vari, South-East of Athens. The facilities were donated to the Greek State by the national benefactor Georgios Averof.

Throughout its long history, the Hellenic Army Academy has taken part in all national rallies and wars. Its presence surpassed the conventional character of a common Military School. Graduates of the Academy have been not only distinguished Army Officers, but also high level scientists, famous authors and the first civil engineers and professors of Physics and Mathematics, until the respective faculties in Greek Universities were founded.

The first Hellenic Navy and Hellenic Air Force officers of the Balkan Wars came from the Academy as well. The Academy is a "Highest Education Institution" (University) and is overseen by the Hellenic Ministry of National Defence.

Education & training

Academic education includes military and academic courses and covers up to 50% of the curriculum. Military training includes day and night field training. Subjects such as individual training and small infantry echelon exercises are held in co-operation with Corps of the Hellenic Army and other branches of the Armed Forces. Applied military tactics is a vital part of the overall training of Cadets covering 38% of the curriculum. Physical Training and Gymnastics cover 12% of the overall training and include track events and various sports.

In order to complete its mission, the Hellenic Army Academy trains and educates Cadets by offering education in various arts and sciences with a view to widen their general knowledge, offer them the required military training so that they are able to attend the Special Training Program of the Hellenic Army upon graduation and cultivate and develop military merits and military attitude so that they acquire, to a high level as new Officers, the qualifications and skills necessary for becoming leaders with integrity of character, knowledge and physical as well as mental endurance.

References

* [http://www.sse.gr/ "Evelpidon" Military Academy - Official Site]

External links

* [http://www.sse.gr/ "Evelpidon" Military Academy - Official Site]
* [http://www.army.gr/ Hellenic Army General Staff - Official Site]