Ceremony for the 130th Anniversary of the Foundation of the General Military Academy

 

Ceremony for the 130th Anniversary of the Foundation of the General Military Academy

The ceremony has been presided over by the Deputy Chief of the Army Staff, General Martín Villalaín

The General Military Academy, the ‘General’, has just celebrated 130 years of existence.  A life of over a century and a quarter in training servicepersons in accordance with its ‘spirit’ —‘the cadet’s Decalogue’—, a moral code of its own on behaviour and action that nearly  24,000 officers bear etched on their mind and heart.  It is a characteristic style that has been commemorated on 20th February, with a ceremony presided over by the Deputy Chief of the Army Staff, General Martín Villalaín.
 

The ceremony, which has been held on the Academy’s parade ground, has also been attended by various civilian authorities.  Among these, the Government delegate to Aragón, Mr. Gustavo Alcalde, and the regional minister of Justice, Mr. Fernando García. As well, the director of the Defence University Centre, Mr. Antonio Elipe, has received his appointment as an honorary cadet from the director of the General Military Academy, General Gan Pampols. Including him, there are now 38 gentlemen and lady honorary cadets from this military training centre.  This distinction aims to recognise those civilian figures who distinguish themselves due to their fondness toward, co-operation with and support of the General Military Academy. Regarding Professor Elipe, his ‘extraordinary labour in favour of the comprehensive training of future Army and Civil Guard officers has been outstanding, for which he makes excellence ‘his goal’ and the spirit of service ‘a constant feature in his daily  teaching work’. 
 

The ‘spirit of the General’ as also been spoken of in this celebration.  The general director has encouraged the members of the Academy to save up and convey that spirit, and he has especially congratulated the cadets ‘who strive to  give their best’ , the instructors ‘who train with knowledge and by example’ and ‘all those who with the dignity of work well-done make the ‘General’ function’.  Following the tribute ceremony to those who have given their lives for Spain and the parade of the Force, those attending have moved to the assembly hall to enjoy a concert offered by the centre’s Military Band. 
 

Prior to the ceremony, the presentation of the Arms and Corps Awards has taken place and on this occasion they have gone to Lieutenant Colonel Luis Arcarazo (collaborator posted to the General Military Academy), Major José L. Samper (external collaborator), Ms. Araceli Pontaque (civilian personnel) and 2nd Lieutenant cadet Pedro L. Melcher (student). The special award went to Lieutenant Colonel José M. Vicente, for his continuing collaboration with the Academy’s publication. 
 

The General Military Academy was founded in 1882 at the’ Alcázar’ fortress in Toledo, during the reign of H.M. King Alfonso XII, and it remained open until 1893; it was reopened by General Primo de Rivera in 1927, in Zaragoza, until its dissolution, for the second time, in 1931. By virtue of a law in 1940, its reopening was again ordered at its headquarters in the capital of Aragón.