Academia General Militar.

The Honorary Cadet Figure

It was institutionalized by the Commandant of the AGM Carlos García Ferrer in 1990. The main purpose of this distinction was to award all those civilian figures who stood out for their affection, commitment and support to the Academia General Militar on its formative and awareness raising task.

The Academia is highly proud of this group due to the fact that its members are outstanding exponents from all the fields with a renowned prestige from Zaragozan, Aragonese and Spanish society. Their clear vision of the role that the Academia General Militar and the Armed Forces play nowadays is crucial in order to provide a modern image of the military members before the public opinion and contribute to the creation of a necessary National Defense Culture among citizens.

Honorary Cadets in the Flag Room after the Oath of Allegiance in its 25th Anniversary, February 20th, 2015. (Photo:AGM)

This title is given in a solemn ceremony on the Anniversary of the creation of the Academia General Militar at the Parade Ground on February 20 each year. The awarded person is given a supporting diploma and a picture with the red aiguillettes, the cadet’s unit citation, and a distinctive insignia of the title. On February 20, 2015, on the 25th anniversary of the creation of this insignia, such honorary cadets pledged the Oath of Allegiance, acknowledging with this ceremony the very wise decision of creating this figure and how this exclusive group of civil leading figures, are the best ambassadors of our values and of "the Esprit of La General".

Along these 27-year history of this award, 45 Honorary Cadets have been appointed, the main ones being: Guillermo Fatás Cabeza, University Professor of Ancient History from the University of Zaragoza and former President of local newspaper Heraldo de Aragón; Luisa Fernanda Rudi, former President of the DGA (Aragonese Government); Fernando García Vicente, Aragonese Ombudsman; Fernando Zubiri de Salinas, former President of the High Court of Justice in Aragon; Pilar de Yarza, President and editor of Heraldo de Aragón; Manuel López, former Rector of the University of Zaragoza, or Emilio Botín, former President of Santander Bank among others.

The Honorary Cadet Emblem.