The Theresian Military Academy (german: Theresianische Militärakademie, 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). It was founded on 14 December 1751 by Maria Theresa of Austria, who gave the first commander of the Academy,

Field marshal Field marshal (or field-marshal, abbreviated as FM) is the most senior military rank, ordinarily senior to the general officer ranks. Usually, it is the highest rank in an army and as such few persons are appointed to it. It is considered as ...

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. 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

Styria Styria (german: Steiermark ; Serbo-Croatian and sl, ; hu, Stájerország) is a state (''Bundesland'') in the southeast of Austria. With an area of , Styria is the second largest state of Austria, after Lower Austria. Styria is bordered to ...

n 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. After the Anschluss, the Wehrmacht installed a war school for

non-commissioned officer A non-commissioned officer (NCO) is a military officer who has not pursued a commission. Non-commissioned officers usually earn their position of authority by promotion through the enlisted ranks. (Non-officers, which includes most or all enli ...

s at the castle of Wiener Neustadt. The first commander of this school was

Erwin Rommel Johannes Erwin Eugen Rommel () (15 November 1891 – 14 October 1944) was a German field marshal during World War II. Popularly known as the Desert Fox (, ), he served in the ''Wehrmacht'' (armed forces) of Nazi Germany, as well as servi ...

. 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. Militärakademie

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 Maximilian I (22 March 1459 – 12 January 1519) was King of the Romans from 1486 and Holy Roman Emperor from 1508 until his death. He was never crowned by the pope, as the journey to Rome was blocked by the Venetians. He proclaimed himself E ...

, 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 Emil Spannocchi (1 September 1916 – 29 August 1992) was an Austrian military officer and military theorist. He reached the apex of his career as a general in the Austrian Armed Forces. Biography Emil Spannocchi was born into a noble family ...

, as well as Thérèse de Dillmont whose father taught at the Academy.

The TherMilAk today

The current ''Commanding Officer - CO'' (german: Kommandant - Kdt) of the TherMilAk is Generalmajor Mag. Karl Pronhagl. From 1997–2008, 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. 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 The ''Kaiserjäger'' (officially designated by the Imperial and Royal (''k.u.k.'') military administration as the ''Tiroler Jäger-Regimenter'' or "Tyrolean Rifle Regiments"), were formed in 1895 as four normal infantry regiments within the Commo ...

'' (''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.

Second Republic

Notes and references

External links