What is pma in pakistan?

How To Join Pakistan Military Academy? But before we proceed to the whole process, let’s learn more about PMA.

Every nation on the globe stands on certain defined cardinals, and those cardinals revolve around a Centre of Gravity. It’s an arbitrary term which is variably disparate. It could be a religion, culture, organization or ideology. For Pakistan, it is the Armed Forces around which everything revolves i.e. making them the Centre of Gravity of the country. Among the three services, along with Law Enforcement Agencies, the Pakistan Army forms the nucleus around which other services revolve.

In times of peace as much as in war, Pakistan Army has been at the fore to offer its toil, blood, and sweat in service of the country. It is a matter of great honor to the members of this esteemed institution to play their part in building this great nation. The core reasons behind professionalism instilled in them, especially the Officer Cadre, is a thorough selection process, rigorous training imparted during the formative years in Pakistan Military Academy (PMA), and subsequent courses later in the service.  Here are a few things you should know if you wish to join Pakistan Military Academy.

There are four distinct categories where one can form part of the Army in Officer or Soldier ranks.

An advertisement is shared by Pakistan Army in newspapers twice a year (after six months), along with the details on its official website www.joinpakarmy.gov.pk. Individuals desiring can apply for the available positions keeping in mind that they must be eligible for the offering depending on the level of qualifications and other section criteria’s. They will first appear in an online initial test followed by an interview and physical efficiency tests. This will be followed by their 4-day tests in respective Inter Services Selection Board (ISSB) centers. ISSB contains a mélange of tests and interviews including personality evaluation, command tasks, written intelligence tests and interviews by board members and psychologists. ‘Recommended’ individuals are then sent to nearby Combined Military Hospitals for a detailed medical examination.

Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul is one of the oldest and most prestigious military training institutions of the country. Here, young civilian boys from all walks of life are transformed into disciplined future military leaders. They are groomed in numerous fields ranging from mess manners to wearing military and civilian dresses on various occasions. The bulk of cadets forms part of the ‘Long Course’, which undergoes a two-year rigorous training program. Their training is divided into a number of military and academic domains. Cadets are taught basic tactics in both conventional and sub-conventional spheres, command and leadership aspects, map reading and navigational skills, along with academic subjects (Science, Economics, political science, English etc.), which will contribute to their Bachelor’s Degree.

The passed-out cadets from PMA then become part of the Officer Corps and are bestowed with the honor of commanding one of the world’s finest and most battle-hardened troops. The onerous responsibility on the shoulders of these young leaders could only be duly discharged if they are trained and prepared for it. PMA Kakul leaves no stone unturned to ensure that, as the Moto stands, “Men at their best”.

About the Author:  Mohammad Tahir has recently been selected for PMA.

The Pakistan Military Academy at Kakul (PMA), also known as PMA Kakul, is a two-year accredited[1] federal service military academy.[2] It is located at Kakul in Abbottabad. The Pakistan Military Academy is similar in function to Sandhurst, Saint-Cyr, and West Point, and provides training to the officers of Pakistan Army and Allied countries. The academy has three training battalions, and 12 companies. Another 2,000 guests each year, from over 34 countries, receive some training at PMA.

Before Partition in 1947, the location had initially been used as the premises of a PT and Mountaineering School of the British Indian Army, on the site of an old POW Camp for prisoners from the Boer War,[3] and later it became the premises of the Royal Indian Army Service Corps. After the division of the old Indian Army between India and Pakistan in 1947, Brigadier Francis Ingall, an officer of the British Indian Army, was selected by the C-in-C India, Field Marshal Sir Claude Auchinleck, as first commandant of the Pakistan Military Academy, established at Kakul. He determined to model the Pakistan Academy on Sandhurst and requested a regimental sergeant major from the Brigade of Guards to help with training. He was lucky, too, to have the support of a number of old Indian Army officers who were transferred to the Pakistan Army, among them Lieutenant-Colonel Attiqur Rahman. In spite of facilities which were nowhere near the level of those enjoyed by the Indian Military Academy at Dehra Dun, Ingall won the confidence of his cadets and instructors. When, late in 1947, the dispute over the accession of Jammu and Kashmir led to armed conflict between India and Pakistan, he was able to structure the Academy’s training to enable newly commissioned officers to be immediately effective when they joined units on active service. Ingall was appointed OBE after completing his term as commandant in 1950. What probably gave him more satisfaction was the decision to name Kakul’s central lecture theatre Ingall Hall - though this was not built until many years after he had left.[4] He kept in touch with the academy for the rest of his life, making his last visit in November, 1997 where he said:

Cadets from IMA (66) arrived in October 1947 and new cadets for Ist PMA Long Course (78) and Ist Graduates Course (63) were selected in Pakistan and training started officially in January 1948. Two hundred and seven cadets started their training in January 1948. On January 25, 1948, "The First Pakistan Battalion” was instituted. This battalion has four companies which were "named after the luminaries of Muslim military history" (e.g., Khalid, Tariq, Qasim, and Salahuddin). In March 1948, the First Battalion "was bestowed with Quaid-e-Azam’s patronage as Colonel-in-Chief, and the most coveted claim “The Quaid-e-Azam’s Own".

Khawaja Nazimuddin gave the Quaid-e-Azam banner to the Pakistan Military Academy on behalf of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah. The Quaid-e-Azam banner is held aloft by the champion company at every passing out parade. "Regimental colours presented in 1950 by Liaquat Ali Khan, the first Prime Minister of Pakistan and the National Standard in 1961 by General Muhammad Musa, the then-Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army, have been some of the honours showered on the Academy, which it has always jealously guarded and kept high in letter and spirit."[2]

The 1965 war led to expansion of the academy, and the second battalion of the academy was created in December 1965. This battalion consisted of four companies, called Ghaznavi, Babur, Aurangzeb, and Tipu. In early 1989, the third battalion of the academy was founded. The third battalion's four companies are Haider, Ubaida, Saad, and Hamza.

The academy is located in Abbottabad, at an elevation of 1,220 meters (4,000 feet). Abbottabad, named after the British administrator James Abbott in the year 1853, is a city located in the Hazara region of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, in Pakistan. The city is situated in the Orash Valley, 50 kilometres (31 miles) northeast of the capital Islamabad and 150 kilometres (93 miles) east of Peshawar at an altitude of 1,260 metres (4,134 ft) and is the capital of the Abbottabad District. It borders Azad Kashmir to the east. The city is well known throughout Pakistan for its pleasant weather, high-standard educational institutions and military establishments as it has a robust presence of soldiers engaged in various activities.[6] The cantonment area of Abbottabad is a beautiful place that is full of greenery, magnificent bungalows and trees. Pine trees are especially common in the area, whereas the climate is moderate both in winters and summers. The city is equipped with markets and all sorts of transport facilities. The city is only at a short distance from the academy. The academy provides an excellent environment for the grooming of young cadets.

The educational philosophy of the academy is to impart more than just combat training. The academy provides such an environment that every cadet develops attributes of Courage, Discipline, Integrity, Dignity, Honour and Patriotism. The academy provides all sorts of knowledge and wisdom that will be necessary for the cadets of today to implement when they become officers and are entrusted with an authority. In army all young officers have great respect for their seniors and this character is imparted during their stay at the academy.

Every cadet must be clear of his/her aim of joining the army. With a clear mindset every cadet is required to work hard and with zeal. He should be willing to take risks and lead his team from the front. Team work is an essential part of the extra-curricular activities and field exercises.

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 Pakistan Army. To develop future officers for the Pakistan Army by training the Gentleman Cadets in a way that they can make decisions as and when required by the military profession. 786

The academy offers a 4 years undergraduate program which is Bachelors of Military Arts And Sciences[BMAS] including some common subjects as English, Military Geography, National and International Affairs, Islamic Studies, Military and General Science or Social Science.The long course cadets study two years for the degree before commissioning and complete their degree in their units.Every Gentleman Cadet passing out of the academy has a minimum graduation(from MCE,CEME,MCS,AM College or civil institutes) except for Long Course cadets who complete their degree after their passing out.

The academy also has a Central Library that has a large collection of books on nearly every subject. The library also has journals and research materials. Along with the library the academy also has three massive computer laboratories and four latest computer-controlled Language laboratories. It is important that the cadets be aware of the current national and international news, for which PMA has set up its own broadcast channel.

Apart from the above courses and facilities, Pakistan Military Academy also has a range of clubs and societies which are:

GCs (Gentlemen Cadets) are required to pass various physical tests. The academy has very high physical standards, which all cadets have to achieve in order to pass. The physical requirements increase with promotion to the next term. The basic requirement for all cadets either of first,second,third or fourth term is to be able to run one mile (1.6 km) within six minutes. Other tests includes push ups, sit ups, chin up, rope test, nine mile (14 km) running, assault course, acid test and agility tests like the horse test. These tests generally test the stamina and strength of a cadet.

LCs are also required to pass physical efficiency tests like GCs, but the standards are bit less keeping in view to their physique. The basic requirement for all lady cadets is to run one mile (1.6 km) within ten minutes. Other tests includes push ups, sit ups, bar hanging, assault course and also undergoes an exercise Qiyadat with GCs. They are entitled to do Horse Riding, Shooting, Swimming, and Fencing; depending on their will. LCs also compete for firing medal and PT medal.

There are also a variety of outdoor clubs that helps in increasing the physical fitness of cadets:

At PMA potential officers undergo a series of grueling training programs designed to inculcate the attributes and qualities essential for a career in the Pakistani armed forces. Some features of the training program include:

There are a number of training exercises for cadets, which include:

For the sake of training the Gentlemen Cadets are organized in battalions and then further into companies. There are 12 companies in Pakistan Military Academy, all of them are named after famous Muslim warriors and commanders.

1st Pakistan Battalion consists of four companies:

2nd Pakistan Battalion consists of four companies:

3rd Pakistan Battalion consists of four companies:

There are five courses running parallel to each other. The courses are:

The PMA Long Course is for regular commission officers of combat and combat support arms & services. The Long Course has a duration of two years, which is further divided into four terms of six months each. After the 2 year training period Cadets pass out as 2nd Lieutenants.

The PMA Graduate Course is taken by those cadets, who have already graduated. These cadets, like those of the Technical Graduate Course, undergo one year of military training. They pass out as 2nd Lieutenants. Graduate Course has been closed down because of the new policy.

Candidates who wish to join the army as an engineer apply for this course. It is necessary that the candidate has attained 12 years of academic education with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Candidates who are successful in all tests conducted by the army for selection are then sent to one of these institutions for a Bachelor of Engineering degree, depending on the field they choose:

All of the above institutions are campuses of a public sector university, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad which is one of the top engineering universities of Pakistan. After completing their Bachelor of Engineering degree from one of these institutions, the E-Cadets, as they are called, are sent to Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul for military training of one year after which they directly attain the rank of Captain in their respective units.

To be eligible for this course, a candidate must have attained 12 years of academic education with Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Candidates who pass initial and GHQ Selection Board tests conducted by the army are sent to Army Medical College for MBBS or for Bachelor of Dental Surgery after which they go through a Basic Military Training at Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul for 22 weeks. The pass out from PMA directly as Captains.Their military training includes all the essential components required for commissioning as an officer.They join PMA in Integrated Course .

The PMA Integrated Course is for cadets of Army Medical College, ICTO's and Army Education Corps and for those who have done their masters in different fields. The IC has a duration of six months. Cadets pass out as Captains.

The PMA Lady Cadet's Course was first started in November 2006. The course is taken by masters and bachelors qualified ladies who are sound professionals in their fields. The lady cadets undergo a training period of six months and pass out as Captains in supporting arms of the Pakistan Army.

As would perhaps be expected of an institution which has a near monopoly on the training of officers in a large country, many alumni have gone on to distinguished careers.

Pakistan Military Academy (, also referred to by its acronym PMA, is an officers training centre located near Kakul village in the city and district of Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa established in October 1947.[2][3][4] It is the sole service academy in Pakistan tasked with training cadets to serve as army officers. For educational training, the institution is accredited by NUST.[5][6][7]

Cadets have to go through 2 years of rigorous military training to become an officer. Pakistan Military Academy provides training to Gentlemen Cadets (Officer Cadets) of Pakistan Army and Allied countries. The academy has four training battalions, and 16 companies. Approximately 2,000 invited guests from over 34 countries visit this institution each year. Many close allies of Pakistan send their own cadets and officers to receive premier training in modern military doctrine at PMA.

Former COAS Gen Raheel Shareef, inaugurated 4th Pakistan Battalion in PMA on October 10, 2016.[8][9]

Before the dissolution of British India in 1947, the location had initially been used as the premises of a Physical Training and Mountaineering School of the British Indian Army, on the site of a vacant POW camp set up in 1902 for just a few months for prisoners from the Boer War,[10] and later it became a dwelling-operating space of the Royal Indian Army Service Corps. After the division of the old Indian Army between India and Pakistan in 1947, Brigadier Francis Ingall, an officer of the British Indian Army, was selected by the C-in-C India, Field Marshal Sir Claude Auchinleck, as first commandant of the Pakistan Military Academy, who selected the vacant location at Kakul for a military academy. He determined that the PMA would be organized based upon the model established by Sandhurst and requested a regimental sergeant major from the Brigade of Guards to help with training. He was fortunate to have the support of a number of old Indian Army officers who were transferred to the Pakistan Army, among them Lieutenant-Colonel Attiqur Rahman, Major S.G. Mehdi M.C., the first PMA adjutant and founder of Qasim company, who later went on to command the SSG (Special Service Group) of the Pakistan Army. In spite of facilities which were comparably sparse to those of the Indian Military Academy at Dehra Dun, Ingall won the confidence of his cadets and instructors. When, late in 1947, the dispute over the accession of Jammu and Kashmir led to armed conflict between India and Pakistan, Ingall was able to structure the Academy’s training to enable newly-commissioned officers to be immediately effective when they joined units on active service.[11] Ingall was appointed OBE after completing his term as commandant in 1950. What probably gave him more satisfaction was the decision to name Kakul’s central lecture theatre Ingall Hall - though this was not built until many years after he had left.[12] He kept in touch with the academy for the rest of his life, making his last visit in November, 1997 where he said:

A total of sixty-seven cadets (66 Muslims and 1 Christian cadet) arrived from IMA on 15 October 1947[14] and new cadets for Ist PMA Long Course (78) and Ist Graduates Course (63) were selected in Pakistan and training started officially in January 1948. Two hundred and eight cadets started their training in January 1948. On January 25, 1948, "The First Pakistan Battalion" was instituted. This battalion has four companies which were "named after the luminaries of Muslim military history" (e.g., Khalid, Tariq, Qasim, and Salahuddin).[15] In March 1948, the First Battalion "was bestowed with Quaid-e-Azam’s patronage as Colonel-in-Chief, and the most coveted claim “The Quaid-e-Azam’s Own".

Khawaja Nazimuddin gave the Quaid-e-Azam banner to the Pakistan Military Academy on behalf of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah. The Quaid-e-Azam banner is held aloft by the champion company at every passing out parade. "Regimental colours presented in 1950 by Liaquat Ali Khan, the first Prime Minister of Pakistan and the National Standard in 1961 by General Muhammad Musa, the then-Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army, have been some of the honours showered on the Academy, which it has always zealously guarded and kept high in letter and spirit."[7]

The 1965 war led to expansion of the Academy, and the second battalion of the Academy was created in December 1965. This battalion consisted of four companies, called Ghaznavi, Babur, Aurangzeb, and Tipu. In early 1989, the third battalion of the Academy was founded. The third battalion's four companies are Haider, Ubaida, Saad, and Hamza.

The academy offers a two-year undergraduate program leading to the Bachelors in Military Art and Science (BMAS) including some common subjects as English, Military Geography, National and International Affairs, Islamic Studies, Military and General Science or Social Science. The long course cadets study two years for the degree before commissioning and completing their degree in their units. Every Gentleman Cadet passing out of the academy has a minimum graduation (from MCE, CEME, MCS, AM College or civil institutes) except for Long Course cadets who complete their degree after graduation.

The academy believes in proper discipline of a cadet and proper induced discipline.[16] It is based on the principles of Discipline, Honor, Patriotism and the qualities are strictly monitored.[17] Cadets are made to look at current world affairs and ammunition, with subjects being taught in relation to or from the perspective of military operations and history. Cadets are also strongly encouraged to uphold/exalt officer traditional code of conduct in order to mold cadets into being exemplary Army Officers by the end of their term. Communication skills are given great importance and courteousness and consistency are kept a record of and stressed upon. Cadets are provided with modern educational facilities and are equipped with modern labs to bolster learning. A cadet is also trained to react during stress situations and his overall mental capability is worked on.

War tactics are presented to cadets and are part of the curriculum.[18] These include discussion of previous war models and ones to anticipate. Cadets are also given navigation training in equipped map rooms and then overall judged in the tactical exercises without troops and professionalism are judged in weapon training areas.[19]

GCs (Gentlemen Cadets) are required to pass various physical tests. The academy has very high physical standards, which all cadets have to achieve in order to pass. The physical requirements increase with promotion to the next term. The basic requirement for cadets of first term is to be able to complete one mile run (1.6 kilometers) in six minutes and thirty seconds. In second term, cadets are required to complete one mile run in six minutes and fifteen seconds. For third term cadets one mile time is six minutes and for fourth term cadets i.e. the senior most cadets are required to run one mile within six minutes. Other tests includes push ups, sit ups, chin up, rope test, five mile running, assault course, and the acid test. These tests generally test the stamina and strength of a cadet.[20]

In the "acid test," cadets begin by traversing a mountain while carrying logs on their shoulders. This is followed by a 14.5 km run in full gear to an obstacle course. Those completing the course are given five rounds with which to hit a target at a distance of 22m.[21]

Lady Cadets are also required to pass physical efficiency tests like GCs, but the standards are bit less keeping in view to their physique. The basic requirement for all lady cadets is to run one mile (1.6 km) within ten minutes. Other tests includes push ups, sit ups, bar hanging, assault course and also undergoes an exercise Qiyadat with GCs.

There are a number of training exercises for cadets, which include:

For the sake of training, the Gentlemen Cadets are organized in battalions and then further into companies. There are 16 companies in Pakistan Military Academy, all of them are named after famous Muslim warriors and commanders.

1st Pakistan Battalion consists of four companies:

2nd Pakistan Battalion consists of four companies:

3rd Pakistan Battalion consists of four companies:

4th Pakistan Battalion consists of four companies:

There are five courses (or curricular plans) running parallel to each other. The courses are:

The PMA Long Course is for regular commission officers of combat and combat support arms & services. The Long Course has a duration of two years, which is further divided into four terms of six months each. After the 2-year training period Cadets pass out as 2nd Lieutenants.

Candidates who wish to join the army as an engineer apply for this course. It is necessary that candidates have attained 12 years of academic education with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics courses. Candidates who are successful in all tests conducted for selection are then sent to a NUST institution for a Bachelor of Engineering degree, depending on the field they choose:

After completing their Bachelor of Engineering degree from one of these courses of study, the E-Cadets, as they are called,[23] are sent to Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul for military training of one year after which they directly attain the rank of captain in their respective units.

To be eligible for this course, a candidate must have attained 16-18 years of academic education with coursework in Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Candidates who pass initial and GHQ Selection Board tests conducted by the army are sent to Army Medical College for MBBS or for Bachelor of Dental Surgery after which they go through a Basic Military Training at Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul for 22 weeks. Apart from GCs of AM College, IC accepts cadets who will to join EME, Signals, RVFC and Army Education Corps with minimum masters in different fields. The IC has a duration of six months. Cadets graduate as Captains. This course includes all the essential components required for commissioning as an officer apart from the boxing and acid test.

The PMA Lady Cadet's Course was first started in November 2006. The course is taken by masters and bachelors-qualified ladies who are sound professionals in their fields. The lady cadets undergo a training period of six months and pass out as Captains in supporting arms of the Pakistan Army.

The Mujahid course was first started in 2011. This course is taken by those candidates who are twice-declared low merit from PMA long course. The Mujahid Course cadets go under the training of one year at PMA, Kakul and pass out 2nd Lieutenants. They mostly serve in Kashmir area near LOC, and the area near the border with India.[24] The headquarter of Mujahid Regiment is in Bhimber, Kashmir.

Description Pakistan Military Academy, also referred to by its acronym PMA, is an officers training centre located near Kakul village in the city and district of Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa established in October 1947. It is the sole service academy in Pakistan tasked with training cadets to serve as army officers. Wikipedia