Bernardo O'Higgins Military School

The Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins Military Academy (Spanish: Escuela Militar del Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins), commonly known as the Military Academy (Escuela Militar), is the institution responsible for training officers for the Chilean Army. Its graduates enter the officer corps with the rank of ensign (alférez).

The school played a key role in the Chilean coup d'état of 1973, and was used as a torture and detention centre in its aftermath.

History

Period of French influence

On 16 March 1817, General Bernardo O'Higgins created the Military Academy of Chile with the aim of training future officers and sergeants. Soldiers trained in this first academy took part in the Siege of Talcahuano and the Battle of Cancha Rayada, eventually securing the independence of Chile.

Its first premises operated in the convent of the Church of San Agustín (at the corner of Estado and Agustinas streets), from which the religious occupants were removed. Due to economic problems the academy was closed in 1819. In 1823, the Supreme Director Ramón Freire attempted to reopen the academy, but his plans were frustrated by the country's political instability.

In 1831, the academy was reopened by law thanks to the efforts of President Joaquín Prieto and his minister Diego Portales, but due to various problems it was closed again on 1 February 1838. Many soldiers trained during that period later fought in the War of the Confederation against the Peru–Bolivian Confederation.

On 6 October 1842, the academy reopened and on 28 September 1843 it definitively adopted the name Military Academy. Officers trained there later served in both the Chilean Army and the Chilean Navy during the wars against Spain and the War of the Pacific, emerging victorious in both conflicts.

Because of the prestige gained by the victories of the Napoleonic Wars and the efficiency demonstrated by the French Army during the Crimean War (1853–1856), the Chilean Army—like most Western armies during the mid-19th century—followed the organization, traditions, customs and uniforms of France during the era of Napoleon III.

Following the dissolution of the academy on 2 November 1876, it reopened in 1878 due to the delicate international situation and began operating the following year. During the last years of the 19th century, the Arturo Prat Naval School was reorganized with students from the Military Academy and construction works began on a new campus.

Period of Prussian influence

The first German officers arrived in September 1885 led by Captain Emil Körner. From 1896 onwards, German instructors arrived in large numbers to train the Chilean Army. Major Gunther von Bellow was appointed director of the Military Academy and Major Hermann Rogalla von Biberstein as deputy director. That same year the Prussian helmet began to be used.

In 1902 a new regulation was issued following the model of Prussian military schools, and in 1905 a new uniform based on the German model was adopted. During this period, specifically between 1900 and 1910, Emil Körner served as commander-in-chief of the army with the rank of general, establishing the foundations and model of the modern Chilean Army.

Academic training

At the end of their final year, students must choose one of the following military branches, which determines the rest of their career:

• Arms
• Infantry
• Artillery
• Armoured cavalry
• Military engineering
• Telecommunications
• Services
• Intendance
• War materiel
• Personnel service

Location

The academy is located at Los Militares 4500 in the commune of Las Condes.

The site consists of a complex of buildings centered around a main structure facing Américo Vespucio Avenue, designed by architect Juan Martínez Gutiérrez, also the designer of the Votive Temple of Maipú and the University of Chile's Faculty of Law and Faculty of Medicine buildings.

It has direct access from the Santiago Metro via the Escuela Militar metro station on Line 1.

Эх сурвалж: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)