Royal Danish Naval Academy
Encyclopedia
The Royal Danish Naval Academy (known in Denmark as Søværnets Officersskole or more commonly, Søofficerskolen) educates and commissions all officers
for the Royal Danish Navy
. Having existed in more than 300 years, it is the oldest still-existing officers' academy in the world.
s (unlike many navies all candidates begin their time as aspirants and then become cadets
) begin their education with 6 months of basic military training and general seamanship
. Parts of this at the Naval NCO and Basic Training School (Danish: Søværnets Sergent- og Grundskole) near Frederikshavn
and other parts on the training vessel Georg Stage (not to be confused with the Joseph Conrad
). This goes to both aspirants that begins their education without prior military service and those whom is recruited among enlisted and petty officers. Then follows an intensified NCO-training for another 6 months.
If these periods are completed and passed, then the aspirant, will move onto the Naval Academy. Here follows the education for the two functional lines (either the master-line
for 4 years or engineering-line for 4½ years). Included in these periods, where the aspirants of each line, is separated, is also an 11 months leadership training period, where both lines are educated together in courses like leadership
, naval warfare, naval history, teaching, psychology
, administration, social sciences
and economics
. At this time, the aspirant becomes a cadet. After 5-5½ years of training and education from the very start the aspirant is commissioned as an officer.
Besides career-officers, the naval academy also trains civilian licensed marine engineers and first officers
, towards naval commissioning. This training-period is 11 months for first officers, and 14 months for engineers.
The naval academy also runs the junior staff officers course. This course runs for 11 months, and requires satisfactory service as an OF-1 (Danish premierløjtnant).
in central Copenhagen
.
Officer (armed forces)
An officer is a member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority. Commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position...
for the Royal Danish Navy
Royal Danish Navy
The Royal Danish Navy is the sea-based branch of the Danish Defence force. The RDN is mainly responsible for maritime defence and maintaining the sovereignty of Danish, Greenlandic and Faroese territorial waters...
. Having existed in more than 300 years, it is the oldest still-existing officers' academy in the world.
The education
All aspirantAspirant
Aspirant is a military rank in the Canadian Navy, French military, Brazilian military, Romanian Navy and Polish Police.-Canadian Navy:Similar to the French usage, the Canadian Navy uses the French-language rank of "Aspirant de marine" to denote a junior officer under training. The same rank in the...
s (unlike many navies all candidates begin their time as aspirants and then become cadets
Officer Cadet
Officer cadet is a rank held by military and merchant navy cadets during their training to become commissioned officers and merchant navy officers, respectively. The term officer trainee is used interchangeably in some countries...
) begin their education with 6 months of basic military training and general seamanship
Seamanship
Seamanship is the art of operating a ship or boat.It involves a knowledge of a variety of topics and development of specialised skills including: navigation and international maritime law; weather, meteorology and forecasting; watchstanding; ship-handling and small boat handling; operation of deck...
. Parts of this at the Naval NCO and Basic Training School (Danish: Søværnets Sergent- og Grundskole) near Frederikshavn
Frederikshavn
This article is about a Danish town. For the German town, see Friedrichshafen, and for the Finnish town, see Fredrikshamn .Frederikshavn is a Danish town in Frederikshavn municipality, Region Nordjylland on the northeast coast of the Jutland peninsula in northern Denmark. Its name translates to...
and other parts on the training vessel Georg Stage (not to be confused with the Joseph Conrad
Joseph Conrad (ship)
Joseph Conrad is an iron-hulled sailing ship, originally launched as the Georg Stage in 1882 and used to train sailors in Denmark. After sailing around the world as a private yacht in 1934 it served as a training in the United States, and is now a museum ship at Mystic Seaport in...
). This goes to both aspirants that begins their education without prior military service and those whom is recruited among enlisted and petty officers. Then follows an intensified NCO-training for another 6 months.
If these periods are completed and passed, then the aspirant, will move onto the Naval Academy. Here follows the education for the two functional lines (either the master-line
Master mariner
A Master Mariner or MM is the professional qualification required for someone to serve as the person in charge or person in command of a commercial vessel. In England, the term Master Mariner has been in use at least since the 13th century, reflecting the fact that in guild or livery company terms,...
for 4 years or engineering-line for 4½ years). Included in these periods, where the aspirants of each line, is separated, is also an 11 months leadership training period, where both lines are educated together in courses like leadership
Leadership
Leadership has been described as the “process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task". Other in-depth definitions of leadership have also emerged.-Theories:...
, naval warfare, naval history, teaching, psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
, administration, social sciences
Social sciences
Social science is the field of study concerned with society. "Social science" is commonly used as an umbrella term to refer to a plurality of fields outside of the natural sciences usually exclusive of the administrative or managerial sciences...
and economics
Economics
Economics 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"...
. At this time, the aspirant becomes a cadet. After 5-5½ years of training and education from the very start the aspirant is commissioned as an officer.
Besides career-officers, the naval academy also trains civilian licensed marine engineers and first officers
Chief Mate
A Chief Mate or Chief Officer, usually also synonymous with the First Mate or First Officer , is a licensed member and head of the deck department of a merchant ship...
, towards naval commissioning. This training-period is 11 months for first officers, and 14 months for engineers.
The naval academy also runs the junior staff officers course. This course runs for 11 months, and requires satisfactory service as an OF-1 (Danish premierløjtnant).
History
- January 1701: General-Admirallieutenant Ulrik Christian GyldenløveUlrik Christian Gyldenløve, Count of SamsøUlrik Christian Gyldenløve was a Danish navy Admiral and Governor of Iceland. He was an acknowledged illegitimate son of Christian V of Denmark and Sophie Amalie Moth.-Life:...
proposes the creation of a Søe Cadet Compagni ("Sea Cadet CompanyCompany (military unit)A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
"), in which young men can receive training in seamanship, military tactics, and navigation for the purpose of becoming naval officers. - 26 February 1701: King Frederick IVFrederick IV of DenmarkFrederick IV was the king of Denmark and Norway from 1699 until his death. Frederick was the son of King Christian V of Denmark and Norway and Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Kassel .-Foreign affairs:...
approves the creation of the Søe Cadet Compagni.
- Inspiration for the Company was found in the Netherlands and France, where systematic training of naval officers had begun as early as the 16th century. The creation of this Company was also the foundation of the second academic education facility in Denmark, preceded only by the University of CopenhagenUniversity of CopenhagenThe University of Copenhagen is the oldest and largest university and research institution in Denmark. Founded in 1479, it has more than 37,000 students, the majority of whom are female , and more than 7,000 employees. The university has several campuses located in and around Copenhagen, with the...
(founded in 1479). The educational facility initially was located at Bremerholm, close to Holmens Kirke (approximately at the current location of the Ministry of DefenceMinistry of Defence (Denmark)The Ministry of Defence of Denmark is a ministry in the Danish government. It is charged with overall planning, development, and strategic guidance of the entire area of responsibility of the Danish Defence minister, including the armed forces and the emergency management sector...
).- 26 April 1701: Commodore C. T. Sehested adjourns as the first chief of Søe Cadet Compagniet.
- 1709: The Søe Cadet Compagniet is renamed the Søe Cadet Academy ("Sea Cadet Academy").
- 1727: The Academy is removed to the twenty-three-year-old opera house (the building now houses the Eastern High Court).
- 1788: The Academy is removed to the northeastern palace (Brockdorff's PalaceBrockdorff's PalaceBrockdorff's Palace is one of the four palaces of Amalienborg in Copenhagen. It was built 1750-1760 by Baron Joachim Brockdorff. Since 1765 it has been owned by the crown, first used as naval academy and since 1828 as residence of various part of the royal family, among those King Frederick VIII...
) of Amalienborg PalaceAmalienborg PalaceAmalienborg Palace is the winter home of the Danish royal family, and is located in Copenhagen, Denmark. It consists of four identical classicizing palace façades with rococo interiors around an octagonal courtyard ; in the centre of the square is a monumental equestrian statue of Amalienborg's...
. - 1827: The Academy is removed to the Søbøtkerske mansion, on the corner of BredgadeBredgadeBredgade is one of the most prominent streets in Copenhagen, Denmark. Running in a straight line from Kongens Nytorv for just under one kilometre to the intersection of Esplanaden and Grønningen, it is one of the major streets in Frederiksstaden, a Rococo district laid out in the middle of the...
and Esplanaden. The mansion itself no longer stands, but a bookstore is now located at the site. - 1865: The Academy is removed to the former administrative complex of the naval artillery on Christiansholm. These buildings do still exist; they now house the Danish naval museumMilitary museums in DenmarkIn Denmark you find a number of military museums showing exhibitions on military subjects and providing information on Danish military history...
Orlogsmuseet and the Danish Maritime Safety Administration (in Danish, the Farvandsvæsnet). - 1869: The Søe Cadet Academiet is renamed the Søofficersskolen ("Sea Officers' School") and is removed to a facility at Gernersgade, in NyboderNyboderNyboder is a historic row house district of former Naval barracks in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was planned and first built by Christian IV to accommodate a need for housing for the personnel of the rapidly growing Royal Danish Navy and their families during that time...
. This facility was built in 1856, originally to house a girls' school. Today, the building houses several companies. - 1903: The Søofficersskolen is renamed the Kadetskolen ("Cadets' School").
- 1946: The School is removed to its current buildings, on Holmen naval baseHolmen naval baseNaval Station Holmen is one of several naval stations of the Royal Danish Navy, supplementing the two Danish naval bases in Frederikshavn and Korsør....
. The buildings had been completed in the 1930s, but relocation of the School had been postponed by the outbreak of World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and subsequent German occupation of Denmark. - 1951: The Kadetskolen is renamed the Søværnets Officersskole, by which it is known currently.
- 1964: Aspirants and cadets are no longer required to live at the School (lodging at the School now is not even possible); presently, most aspirants and cadets are housed by the navy in Nyboder.
- 1966: A naval cadets' association (the Søværnets Kadetforening) is created as a social and educational institution.
- 1969: The naval specialty officers' school (the Søværnets Specialofficersskole) is disbanded and all instruction is conducted at the naval academy.
- 1970: The program of education is completely restructured and ten faculties are created.
- 2007: Under the 2005-2009 defence agreement, the naval musical corps (the Søværnets Tamburkorps) is moved to Holmen and made part of the naval academy, as are all training facilities on Holmen.
Location
The naval academy is located on HolmenHolmen, Copenhagen
Holmen is an area in central Copenhagen, Denmark. In spite of its name, deceptively in singular, Holmen is a congregation of small islands, forming a north-eastern extension of Christianshavn between Zealand and the northern tip of Amager....
in central Copenhagen
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
.
Other Danish officers academies
- ArmyRoyal Danish ArmyThe Royal Danish Army is the land warfare branch of the Danish Defence Forces, together with the Danish Home Guard.For the last decade, the Royal Danish Army has undergone a massive transformation of structures, equipment and training methods, abandoning its traditional role of anti-invasion...
: The Royal Danish Army Officers AcademyRoyal Danish Army Officers AcademyThe Royal Danish Army Academy educates and commissions all officers for the Royal Danish Army. The Army Academy function was initiated in 1713 by request of King Frederick IV on inspiration from the Naval Academy....
(Hærens Officersskole) located at Frederiksberg PalaceFrederiksberg PalaceFrederiksberg Palace is a Baroque residence, located in Frederiksberg, Denmark, adjacent to the Copenhagen Zoo. It commands an impressive view over Frederiksberg Park, originally designed as a palace garden in the Baroque style...
in Copenhagen. - Air forceRoyal Danish Air ForceThe Royal Danish Air Force is the air force of Denmark with the capability to undertake homeland defense and homeland security roles as well international operations.-History:...
: The Royal Danish Air Force Officers SchoolRoyal Danish Air Force Officers SchoolThe Royal Danish Air Force Officer Academy educates and commissions all officers for the Royal Danish Air Force...
(Flyvevåbnets Officersskole) located in Jonstrup near VærløseVærløseVærløse was a municipality consisting of only one parish also named Værløse in the former Copenhagen County on the island of Zealand in eastern Denmark. The municipality covered an area of 34 km², and in 2005 had a total population of 18,649...
. - Emergency Management AgencyDanish Emergency Management AgencyThe Danish Emergency Management Agency is a Danish governmental agency under the Ministry of Defence. Its principal task is to manage an operational part who work out of six Emergency Management Centres, and administrative and legalizing part, who supervises the national and municipal rescue...
: The Emergency Management Officers School (Beredskabsstyrelsens Center for Lederuddannelse) located at Bernstorff PalaceBernstorff PalaceBernstorff Palace, Danish: Bernstorff Slot, in Gentofte, Copenhagen, Denmark, was built in the middle of the 18th century for Foreign Minister Johann Hartwig Ernst, Count von Bernstorff. It remained in the possession of the Bernstorff family until 1812. In 1842 it was bought by Christian VIII...
in GentofteGentofteGentofte Kommune is a municipality in the Capital Region of Denmark on the east coast of the island of Zealand in eastern Denmark. The municipality covers an area of , and has a total population of 68,913...