Defence Services Academy
Encyclopedia
The Defence Services Academy located in Pyin Oo Lwin, is the premier military service academy of Myanmar
, training future officers for all three branches of Burmese military. The Ministry of Defence administered academy offers bachelor's degree programs in liberal arts
, combined physical sciences, and computer science
. As of 49th intake in 2007, the academy is open only to male applicants.
The DSA graduates are commissioned in one of the three branches of Burmese military. The country's premier military training school has produced many of the top military officers of Burmese military.
in 1954, and was moved to its current home, a former British
hill station of Pyinoolwin (formerly, Maymyo) in June 1957. The first commander of DSA was Col. L. Khon Naung.
. The undergraduate degree programs used to take 4 years but from the 42nd intake onwards, the duration has been reduced to 3 years. The DSA comprises two main branches: the academic wing and the training wing.
In the tradition of American system, the senior cadet officers are assigned to mentor junior cadet officers, overseeing day-to-day training, discipline and welfare of the juniors in general, with the aim of developing the so-called "guardian brotherhood" so as to develop a sense of community, comradeship, faith and trust, chain-of-command and looking after one another. This function is supervised by an officer (known as company officer), usually at the rank of Captain, who is then supported by a senior non-commissioned officer, usually at the rank of Master Sergeant. The sergeant more closely interact with the cadet officers and is directly in the chain-of-command, and is similar to the British system.
Unlike in American and British systems, which maintain separate military academies for different branches of armed forces, the DSA trains for all three branches of Burmese military (army, navy and air force). Its cadets select the branch to enter upon their graduation, subject to fulfilling further health and training requirements.
In general, cadets at the DSA starts their day in the early mornings with rigorous physical training, followed by academic lectures, then by military training. After the exams, they also spend a period devoted solely for military training which take place at various locations across the country. As part of their study requirements, they are taught political science, general law, international relations and other related subjects alongside their main studies regardless of specialism. In common with other universities in the country, the cadets are required to study Burmese, English and mathematics regardless of the subject they major in.
The first few weeks of the 1st year is known as "soldier indoctrination week" when newly recruited cadet officers are trained to have military mentality. Further more, cadet officers are not allowed to keep in touch with the outside world, not even with family (unless under exceptional circumstances such as death of a family member), for the first six months of the first year which is a period meant to transform these young high school graduates from civilians into potential military officers. Cadets are subject to further disciplinary requirements such as having to refrain from visiting the restricted areas of the city and the dress-code both while on DSA grounds and while in the city, even during their private time.
The board and room, uniform and food, as well as other essential supplies, for the cadet officers and their tuition costs are borne by the academy. In addition, they also receive a small amount of monthly allowance. In the past, up to 18th Intake, the academy allowed so-called private cadets who are well-qualified, and satisfied by admission board, but do not want military service obligation upon graduation. Such applicants pay tuition fees to the academy and fund their own cost of living while receiving education and training at the academy in exactly as the same way as the other regular cadet officers. Such private cadets are not obliged to serve in the Armed Forces upon graduation. However, they may choose to serve, at their own discretion, in the Armed Forces. Private cadets made up about 5~10% of each intakes. Private cadets are, however, no longer admitted after 18th Intake. The minimum contract of the military service for the regular cadet officers upon graduation is 10 years.
Myanmar
Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
, training future officers for all three branches of Burmese military. The Ministry of Defence administered academy offers bachelor's degree programs in liberal arts
Liberal arts
The term liberal arts refers to those subjects which in classical antiquity were considered essential for a free citizen to study. Grammar, Rhetoric and Logic were the core liberal arts. In medieval times these subjects were extended to include mathematics, geometry, music and astronomy...
, combined physical sciences, and computer science
Computer science
Computer science or computing science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and of practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems...
. As of 49th intake in 2007, the academy is open only to male applicants.
The DSA graduates are commissioned in one of the three branches of Burmese military. The country's premier military training school has produced many of the top military officers of Burmese military.
History
The DSA was established in Fort Ba Htoo in southern Shan StateShan State
Shan State is a state of Burma . Shan State borders China to the north, Laos to the east, and Thailand to the south, and five administrative divisions of Burma in the west. Largest of the 14 administrative divisions by land area, Shan State covers 155,800 km², almost a quarter of the total...
in 1954, and was moved to its current home, a former British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
hill station of Pyinoolwin (formerly, Maymyo) in June 1957. The first commander of DSA was Col. L. Khon Naung.
Mission
The purpose of the academy is to "train a new generation of highly educated and well-rounded officers for Myanmar's armed forces who are capable of leading the nation". The DSA emphasizes on the academic curriculum alongside the military training with the intention of developing individuals who are capable of running the entire nation. (In contrast, the mission of Officer Training School is to train the future commanders who can lead the Armed Forces in times of war. Furthermore, the OTS does not offer any additional academic qualifications, and the admission is usually open only to degree-holders. From 1999 onwards, it is open only to non-commissioned officers and servicemen holding degrees who demonstrate extraordinary qualities to become officers. Training duration is nine months. It has two in-takes per year.)Admissions
As the country's most prestigious military academy, the DSA receives many applications from high school graduates each year. Unlike at most other Burmese universities, the selection process goes beyond the matriculation exam marks, including physical fitness tests, teamwork and comradeship screening, psychometric assessments and general interviews. The academy is open only to male applicants.Programs
The DSA offers four-year bachelor's degree programs in liberal arts, combined physical sciences (with specializations in areas such as chemistry, physics, mathematics, geology) and computer scienceComputer science
Computer science or computing science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and of practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems...
. The undergraduate degree programs used to take 4 years but from the 42nd intake onwards, the duration has been reduced to 3 years. The DSA comprises two main branches: the academic wing and the training wing.
Departments
- Department of BurmeseBurmese languageThe Burmese language is the official language of Burma. Although the constitution officially recognizes it as the Myanmar language, most English speakers continue to refer to the language as Burmese. Burmese is the native language of the Bamar and related sub-ethnic groups of the Bamar, as well as...
- Department of EnglishEnglish languageEnglish is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
- Department of MathematicsMathematicsMathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
- Department of Applied MathematicsApplied mathematicsApplied mathematics is a branch of mathematics that concerns itself with mathematical methods that are typically used in science, engineering, business, and industry. Thus, "applied mathematics" is a mathematical science with specialized knowledge...
- Department of ChemistryChemistryChemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
- Department of Nuclear ChemistryNuclear chemistryNuclear chemistry is the subfield of chemistry dealing with radioactivity, nuclear processes and nuclear properties.It is the chemistry of radioactive elements such as the actinides, radium and radon together with the chemistry associated with equipment which are designed to perform nuclear...
- Department of PhysicsPhysicsPhysics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
- Department of Nuclear PhysicsNuclear physicsNuclear physics is the field of physics that studies the building blocks and interactions of atomic nuclei. The most commonly known applications of nuclear physics are nuclear power generation and nuclear weapons technology, but the research has provided application in many fields, including those...
- Department of ElectronicsElectronicsElectronics is the branch of science, engineering and technology that deals with electrical circuits involving active electrical components such as vacuum tubes, transistors, diodes and integrated circuits, and associated passive interconnection technologies...
- Department of GeographyGeographyGeography is the science that studies the lands, features, inhabitants, and phenomena of Earth. A literal translation would be "to describe or write about the Earth". The first person to use the word "geography" was Eratosthenes...
- Department of HistoryHistoryHistory is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
- Department of EconomicsEconomicsEconomics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
- Department of Computer ScienceComputer scienceComputer science or computing science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and of practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems...
- Department of Computer Technology
- Department of ResearchResearchResearch can be defined as the scientific search for knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop new theories, usually using a scientific method...
Military education
All cadets receive mandatory military training. The structure of the DSA is based on British and American (i.e. Sandhurst and West Point respectively) military training traditions as well as home-grown practices.In the tradition of American system, the senior cadet officers are assigned to mentor junior cadet officers, overseeing day-to-day training, discipline and welfare of the juniors in general, with the aim of developing the so-called "guardian brotherhood" so as to develop a sense of community, comradeship, faith and trust, chain-of-command and looking after one another. This function is supervised by an officer (known as company officer), usually at the rank of Captain, who is then supported by a senior non-commissioned officer, usually at the rank of Master Sergeant. The sergeant more closely interact with the cadet officers and is directly in the chain-of-command, and is similar to the British system.
Unlike in American and British systems, which maintain separate military academies for different branches of armed forces, the DSA trains for all three branches of Burmese military (army, navy and air force). Its cadets select the branch to enter upon their graduation, subject to fulfilling further health and training requirements.
In general, cadets at the DSA starts their day in the early mornings with rigorous physical training, followed by academic lectures, then by military training. After the exams, they also spend a period devoted solely for military training which take place at various locations across the country. As part of their study requirements, they are taught political science, general law, international relations and other related subjects alongside their main studies regardless of specialism. In common with other universities in the country, the cadets are required to study Burmese, English and mathematics regardless of the subject they major in.
The first few weeks of the 1st year is known as "soldier indoctrination week" when newly recruited cadet officers are trained to have military mentality. Further more, cadet officers are not allowed to keep in touch with the outside world, not even with family (unless under exceptional circumstances such as death of a family member), for the first six months of the first year which is a period meant to transform these young high school graduates from civilians into potential military officers. Cadets are subject to further disciplinary requirements such as having to refrain from visiting the restricted areas of the city and the dress-code both while on DSA grounds and while in the city, even during their private time.
The board and room, uniform and food, as well as other essential supplies, for the cadet officers and their tuition costs are borne by the academy. In addition, they also receive a small amount of monthly allowance. In the past, up to 18th Intake, the academy allowed so-called private cadets who are well-qualified, and satisfied by admission board, but do not want military service obligation upon graduation. Such applicants pay tuition fees to the academy and fund their own cost of living while receiving education and training at the academy in exactly as the same way as the other regular cadet officers. Such private cadets are not obliged to serve in the Armed Forces upon graduation. However, they may choose to serve, at their own discretion, in the Armed Forces. Private cadets made up about 5~10% of each intakes. Private cadets are, however, no longer admitted after 18th Intake. The minimum contract of the military service for the regular cadet officers upon graduation is 10 years.
Facilities
- Planetarium (one of two planetariums in Myanmar)
- Library
- Computer laboratory for parallel and distributed computing, and software engineering
- Computer clusters
- Computer-assisted foreign language facilities
- Telescope facilities
- Chemistry and geology teaching laboratory
- Radiation physics research laboratory
- Electronics laboratory with clean room facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool
- Several large sports fields with football grounds and tennis courts
- Gymnasiums
Alumni
- Vice-Senior General Maung AyeMaung AyeVice-Senior General Maung Aye is the former Vice Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council , which was until March 2011, the ruling military junta of Burma. Maung Aye was the second highest-ranking member of the SPDC....
, army chief and second senior in SPDCState Peace and Development CouncilThe State Peace and Development Council was the official name of the military regime of Burma , which seized power in 1988. On 30 March 2011, Senior General Than Shwe signed a decree to officially dissolve the Council....
, State Peace and Development Council of MyanmarMyanmarBurma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
- DSA 1st intake - U Thaung, Minister of Science and Technology - Awarded Best Cadet in DSA 1st intake.
- GeneralGeneralA general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
Thura Shwe MannShwe MannThura Shwe Mann is joint chief of staff of the Burmese Armed Forces, and was the third-highest ranking member of the State Peace and Development Council, after Than Shwe and Maung Aye. He graduated in 1969 from the Defence Services Academy, Intake 11. He was promoted to major in 1988...
, Joint Chief of Staff (Army, Navy and Air Force) and third senior in SPDCState Peace and Development CouncilThe State Peace and Development Council was the official name of the military regime of Burma , which seized power in 1988. On 30 March 2011, Senior General Than Shwe signed a decree to officially dissolve the Council....
, State Peace and Development Council of MyanmarMyanmarBurma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
- DSA 11th intake - General Thein SeinThein SeinThein Sein is a Burmese politician and military figure who has been president of Myanmar since March 2011. Previously, he was Prime Minister from 2007 until 2011...
, Prime Minister - DSA 9th intake - Lieutenant-General Tin Aye, Chief of Military Ordnance - DSA 9th intake
- General Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint OoTin Aung Myint OoGeneral Thihathura Tin Aung Myint Oo is one of the Vice Presidents of Myanmar. He is also chairman of Burmese Trade Council, having been appointed in November 2007 by Than Shwe, in response to Saffron Revolution demonstrations in October of that year, and Minister of Military Affairs.He graduated...
, Secretary-1 of the SPDC, Minister of Military Affairs and Quartermaster General - DSA 12th intake - Brigadier-General Hla MyintHla Myint (Brigadier General)Hla Myint is a Burmese politician, and mayor of Yangon. He was also a former brigadier general in the Myanmar Army and a former diplomat. He studied at the Defense Services Academy from 1967 to 1971. He retired as brigadier general in 2002...
, 13th intake - Lieutenant GeneralLieutenant GeneralLieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
Myint SweMyint SweLieutenant General Myint Swe is an ethnic Mon military officer who is currently the Chief of Bureau of Special Operations - 5 and Quartermaster General. He is the first ethnic Mon to be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General. Myint Swe graduated from the Defence Services Academy in 1971 as...
, Chief of Bureau of Special Operation-5 - DSA 15th intake - Lieutenant-General Ye Myint, Directorate of Military Affairs Security - DSA 15th intake
- Lieutenant-General Ohn Myint, Chief of Bureau of Special Operation - 1 - DSA 17th intake
- Lieutenant-General Min Aung Hlaing, Chief of Bureau of Special Operation - 2 - DSA 19th intake
- Lieutenant-General Ko Ko, Chief of Bureau of Special Operation - 3 - DSA 19th intake
- Lieutenant-General Tha Aye, Chief of Bureau of Special Operation - 4 - DSA 16th intake
- Lieutenant-General Hla Htay Win, Chief of Armed Forces Training - DSA 20th intake
- Director General Wunna Maung LwinWunna Maung LwinWunna Maung Lwin is the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar. He joined the diplomatic service in 1999, after a long career in the Myanmar Armed Forces. He graduated from the 16th intake of the Defence Services Academy in 1971.-References:...
, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar - 16th intake
See also
- Defence Services Technological AcademyDefence Services Technological AcademyThe Defence Services Technological Academy , located in Pyin-Oo-Lwin, Myanmar, is the premier technological university of the Myanmar Armed Forces. One of the most selective universities in the country, the academy offers various Bachelor of Engineering degrees to male cadets only...
- Defence Services Medical Academy
- Defence Services Institute of Nursing and Paramedical ScienceDefence Services Institute of Nursing and Paramedical ScienceThe Defence Services Institute of Nursing and Paramedical Science , located in Mingaladon, Yangon, is one of military-run institutes of higher learning in Myanmar...