The Theresian Military Academy (, TherMilAk) is a military academy in Austria, where the Austrian Armed Forces train their officers. Founded in 1751, the academy is located in the castle of Wiener Neustadt in Lower Austria.
History The Theresian Military Academy (known as the Theresianum) is one of the oldest military academies in the world (the oldest is the Military Academy of Modena).Fitzal, Karl-Heinz [Editor] : 250 Jahre Offiziersausbildung : Wr. Neustadt : Theresan. Militärakad. 2002 It was founded on 14 December 1751 by Maria Theresa of Austria, who gave the first commander of the academy, Field Marshal Leopold Joseph von Daun (Count Daun), the order Mach er mir tüchtige Officier und rechtschaffene Männer daraus ("Make me hard working officers and honest men").
Per year, the academy accepted 100 noblemen and 100 commoners to start their education there.http://www.bmlv.gv.at/karriere/offizier/geschichte.shtml Feb. 2009 In 1771, Fieldmarshal Lieutenant Hannig published the official studying plan, and in 1775, Maria Theresa published the Academy Rules. At this time, it took 11 years to complete the academy, but step by step, it was shortened to 3 years.
The Styrian Prince Erzherzog Johann (Archduke John) was the principal headmaster of the academy for 44 years (1805–1849).
During the First Republic (1918–1938), the academy was located in Enns until 1934, and then again in the castle of Wiener Neustadt. A very remarkable event occurred in the time between Austrofascism and the Anschluss (Occupation of Austria by Nazi Germany) when Lieutenant General Rudolf Towarek was commander of the TherMilAk (between 1933 and 1938). He had the guard deployed with the bayonet attached and thus denied the Wehrmacht access to the castle for several days. This was the only military resistance made by Austrians against the occupation by Nazi Germany. GenLt Towarek was not punished for this action; however, he was retired while retaining the right to wear the Austrian uniform after his retirement, which was highly unusual in those days.Peter Barthou "1938: Nicht alle schworen den Treueid" In: Truppendienst 3/2008.
After the Anschluss, the Wehrmacht installed a war school for non-commissioned officers at the castle of Wiener Neustadt. The first commander of this school was Erwin Rommel. At this time, the Germans erected a new building next to the castle, which is now known as Fort Daun, in which the Military High School of Austria is located.Allmayer-Beck, Johann Christoph : Militärakademie – Kriegsschule – Fahnenjunkerschule : Wiener Neustadt 1938–1945 : Bundesministerium für Landesverteidigung, 2006
After World War II and the Austrian State Treaty which was signed in 1955, the demolished castle was rebuilt. In 1958, the military academy was again located in Wiener Neustadt after a short intermezzo (1955–1958) in Enns.
On the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the death of the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I, the direct ancestor of Maria Theresa, the so-called "last knight" and founder of a modern war system, a big celebration took place in the church of the military academy in 2019. Karl von Habsburg, the current head of the House of Habsburg, represented the imperial dynasty.
Within the precincts of the Theresian Military Academy is the Theresian Military Academy Cemetery where many students, former teachers and distinguished graduates are buried. Officers interred there include Count Kinsky, Oskar Potiorek and Emil Spannocchi, as well as Thérèse de Dillmont whose father taught at the academy.
The TherMilAk today The current commanding officer - CO () of the TherMilAk is Generalmajor Mag. Karl Pronhagl.
From 1997 to 2008, the TherMilAk was a 4-year college which could also be attended by civilian students and finished with a master's degree in military leadership. In 2008, it was changed into a 3-year curriculum, graduating with a bachelor's degree. In 2003, the first four women completed the academy.http://www.bmlv.gv.at/karriere/offizier/geschichte.shtml , Feb. 2009 Since 1959, more than 3,600 young officers have been educated at the Theresian Military Academy.http://www.tr-wiking.at/haupt.php?seite=geschichte_milak.htm Feb.2009 The cadet class graduating in 2004 was given the title of Kaiserjäger (Imperial Rifles), to honor the memory of the brave national light infantrymen who served Austria with distinction during the Imperial period.
TherMilAk commanders (selection) Below there is a selection of the commanders of the TherMilAk. name rank CO remarkGuido Novak von Arienti Feldmarschall-Leutnant 1917–1919last imperial (kaiserlicher) commander and adge-group godfather of the 2010 graduates Rudolf TowarekGeneralmajor 1934–1938 Erwin RommelSiehe zu diesem Abschnitt: Ralf Georg Reuth: Erwin Rommel. Des Führers General. Piper, München 1987, , S. 14–27; David Fraser: Rommel. Die Biographie. Siedler, Berlin 1995, , S. 86–115; Maurice Philip Remy: Mythos Rommel. List, München 2002, , S. 31–43; Das Deutsche Heer, Gliederung, Standorte, Stellenbesetzung am 3. Januar 1939, Bad Nauheim 1953. Oberst 1938–1939 22 June 1942: appointed to Generalfeldmarschall
Second Republic name rank CO remarkErwin Starkl Major 1955–1956 35th COJosef Heck Oberst 1957–1959 Oberst dhmD; 36th COErich Watzek Generalmajor 1959–1971 37th COAlois Nitsch Generalmajor 1972–1980 38th COJohann PhilippDivisionär 1980–1984 39th CO Adolf-Erwin Felber Divisionär 1985–1999 40th COKarl-Heinz Fitzal Divisionär 1999–2003 41st CO Norbert Sinn Generalmajor 2003–2013 42nd CO Gerhard Herke Brigadier 2013–2016 43rd CO Karl Pronhagl Generalmajor 2016–today 44th CO
See also List of government-run higher-level national military academies
Notes and references
External links
Austrian Armed Forces – Officer Training