Bangladesh Military Academy (BMA)^[1] is the military 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, about 13 kilometers north of Chittagong. The academy is situated on the slopes of the Sitakunda hill ranges and the shore of the Bay of Bengal.^[2][3]

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Bangladesh Military Academy

বাংলাদেশ মিলিটারি একাডেমি
Motto	চির উন্নত মম শির
Motto in English	Ever High is My Head
Type	Military Academy
Established	1974; 50 years ago (1974)
Affiliation	BUP MIST
Dean	Brig Gen Omar Faruque Khan, psc
Director	Brig Gen KM Amirul Islam, SPP
Commandant	Major General SM Kamrul Hassan
Academic staff	600–700 (both civilian and military)
Undergraduates	1,550–1,600
Location	Bhatiary, Chittagong , Bangladesh 22°25′24″N 91°45′10″E
Campus	Suburb, 1,850 acres (750 ha)
Colours	Red and green
Website	bma.army.mil.bd

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Following the independence of Bangladesh with the break-up of Pakistan in the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, Bangladesh Military Academy was established in January 1974 for training the officers of the Army. The Military Academy was opened by the initiative of the then Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.^[4][5] The academy was initially raised at Cumilla Cantonment on 29 November 1973 and later relocated to Bhatiary, Chattogram in 1976. The academy was awarded the National Standard in 1979.

The Bangladesh Military Academy provides training to the officers of the Bangladesh Army. From 1983 the officers of the Bangladesh Navy and Air Force must take three months training from the academy.^[6]

The academy chose a verse by national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, Chiro Unnata Momo Shir (translation: ever high is my head) as its motto. Regular long courses commenced from 1978. The first batch of officers of Bangladesh Army graduated from the academy on 11 January 1975.

An Officer Cadet / Officer Cadet (Female) shall lead a life of Honour and Integrity. He / She shall not lie, cheat or steal

To prepare the officer cadets for the grant of commission as officers in Bangladesh Army

• To instill in the trainees the qualities of a leader imbibed with the national, societal and religious values, military tradition and dedication to a lifetime service to the nation.
• To train each Trainee Officer and Officer Cadet as a competent Infantry Platoon Commander committed to professionalism.
• To educate each Officer Cadet as a knowledgeable university graduate with inspiration to pursue higher education.

BMA provides military and academic training and character building. The academy primarily trains men and women to be commissioned into the Bangladesh Army. In addition, the academy conducts and orientation course for Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) officers, officer cadets and midshipmen 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. The academy has the intention of fostering and inculcating those attributes in an Officer Cadet (OC) which will ensure his continuous and progressive development as a regular officer in the Bangladesh Army, and developing future officers for the Bangladesh Army by training the Officer Cadets in a way that they can make decisions as and when required by the military profession.

The training courses run at BMA are as follow:

• Long Course – 3 years.
• BMA Special Regular Course – 24 weeks.
• Basic Military Training Course – 24 weeks.
• Joint Services Course – 10 weeks (Bangladesh Navy cadets and Bangladesh Air Force cadets).
• Direct Short Service Commission – 49 weeks
• Potential Platoon Commanders Course – 05 weeks.
• Drill Instructor Course – 07 weeks.
• BCS Officers Orientation Course weeks (01 week in BMA) – 05 weeks.
• Post Commission Academic Training (PCAT) - Final Semester of Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) (4–6 months)

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.

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. Demonstrations & Tactical Exercise Without Troops. 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.

h. Medical Training. To impart knowledge of medical readiness/First Aid.

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). From 75 BMA Long Course there are 8 subjects to study: International relations, BBA, Economics, Physics, Computer Science, & Engineering, Electrical, Electronics & Communications Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Civil Engineering. 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 are conducted for the final term cadets.

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

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.

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 equipment can be found there.

Computer Club

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

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.

The academy provides a three-year academic programme combined with intense military training. It is affiliated with the Bangladesh University of Professionals and provides 4-year bachelor's degrees. Every cadet has to study Military Science in this institution. They have to learn every thing practically.

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

• Firing ranges
• Firing Simulator
• Close quarters combat ring
• Troops of Training Support Companies.
• Battle Inoculation Range
• Assault Course range
• Ambush filed
• Model Room for Tactical studies
• HD projection system in wide screen
• Classroom 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 has a Mosque.

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

•   Jahangir Company
•   Rouf Company
•   Hamid Company
•   Mustafa Company
•   Nur Mohammad Company

• School of Infantry and Tactics
• Bangladesh Naval Academy
• Bangladesh Air Force Academy