Cadets, 2014
Throughout Europe, the military academies are the guarantors of military tradition and of the ancient values attached to the army.
Even though they are deeply tied to the idea of nation and homeland in the countries they belong to, the military academies represent a bridge between the European people.
For more than 200 years, Europe has had an important tradition of military schooling, where the officers-to-be are trained. These academies have a prestigious history and claim to be the guarantors for soldierly honor and strictness. To each of these academies corresponds a strong identity marked by history; in a united Europe, they are now seldom opposed, and more frequently opening to one another.
Long-interested in the quest for a European identity, particularly in his work “Seeuropeans”, Paolo Verzone takes portraits of the cadets from the most important academies on the continent.
As a matter of fact, the officer cadets are a symbol of the link that exists between their school’s tradition and history, and the military Europe’s future they carry.
France – École Navale
Motto: “Parere antequam prodesse” (Obey before ordering)
Date of foundation: 31 January 1816
Location: Lanvéoc-Poulmic, south of the Brest bay
Cadets: 1,250 including 650 officers
United-Kingdom – Royal Air Force College Cranwell
Motto: “Superna petimus” (We seek to rise)
Date of foundation: 1919
Location: Sleaford, Lincolnshire
Cadets: 350 to 400 per year
Portugal – Academia Militar
Motto: “Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori” (It is sweet and glorious to die for the homeland), from a stanza by the poet Horace.
Date of foundation: 12 January 1837
Location: Bemposa Palace, Lisbon
Cadets: Approximately 80 per year
Germany – Marineschule Mürwik
Surname: “The red castle on the sea”.
Date of foundation: Construction began in 1907 by order of Emperor Wilhelm II; inauguration on 21 November 1910
Location: Flensburg, district of Mürwik
Cadets: 280 per year
Greece – Hellenic Naval Academy
Motto: “In the nation, the Academy educates fighters and commanders of the high seas”.
Date of foundation: 24 November 1845
Location: Piraeus, Athens
Cadets: 40 to 60 Greek and 10 to 15 foreign cadets
Lithuania – Generolo Jono Zemaicio Lietuvos Karo Akademija
Motto: “Thou shalt not draw the sword without reason, nor sheathe it without honour”.
Date of foundation: 1994
Location: Vilnius
Cadets: Approximately 75 per year
United Kingdom – Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
Motto: “Serve to lead”
Date of foundation: 1947 by a merger of the Royal Academy of Woolwich, founded in 1741, and the Royal Military College at Sandhurst, founded in 1801.
Location: Two counties, Surrey and Berkshire, separated by the Wish Stream
Cadets: 600 per year
Sweden – Militärhögskolan Karlberg
Motto: “Perseverance and confidence in victory”.
Date of foundation: 1792, by decree of King Gustav III
Location: Karlberg Palace, Solna
Cadets: 100 to 150 per year
Italy – Academia Navale di Livorno
Motto: “Homeland and honour”.
Date of foundation: 6 November 1881, by the Minister of the Navy, General Benedetto Brin
Location: Livorno
Cadets: Approximately 100 per year
Belgium – Koninklijke Militaire School
Motto: “Rege duce, pro jure et honore” (With the king as guide, for right and honour)
Date of foundation: 7 February 1834, by King Leopold I
Location: Brussels
Cadets: 638
Denmark – Hærens Officersskole
Motto: “Ingenio et armis” (With knowledge and arms)
Date of foundation: 26 August 1713, by royal decree
Location: Copenhagen
Cadets: Approximately 80 per year
France – École des officiers de l’armée de l’air
Motto: “Facing up”.
Date of foundation: 1935, by decree of President Lebrun
Location: Salon-de-Provence
Cadets: 500 per year, all training courses and promotions combined
Austria – Theresianische Militärakademie
Motto: “Facing up”.
Date of foundation: 1935, by decree of President Lebrun
Location: Salon-de-Provence
Cadets: 500 per year, all training courses and promotions combined
Poland – Akademia Marynarki Wojennej Im. Bohaterow Westerplatte
Motto: “Amor patriae suprema lex” (Love of our homeland is the supreme law).
Date of foundation: 1922
Location: Gdynia
Cadets: 45 per year
Spain – Academia General Militar
Motto: “Honor y gloria”.
Date of foundation: 20 February 1882, by decree of Alfonso XII
Location: Zaragoza
Cadets: Approximately 250 per year
France – École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr
Motto: “They learn to conquer”.
Date of foundation: 1 May 1802, by order of the First Consul Napoleon Bonaparte
Location: Coëtquidan Guer
Cadets: 125 per year
Italy – Accademia Aeronautica
Date of foundation: 5 November 1923
Location: Pozzuoli
Cadets: Between 80 and 90 per year
Netherlands – Koninklijk Instituut voor de Marine
Motto: “Sumus et fore speramus” (We are and hope to become)
Date of foundation: 28 August 1829
Location: Den Helder
Cadets: 100 per year
Italy – Accademia Militare di Modena
Devise : « Una acies » (Un seul rang de troupes)
Date de fondation : 2 novembre 1815
Lieu : Modène
Effectif : 163 par an
Netherlands – Koninklijk Militaire Academie
Date of foundation: 24 November 1828
Location: Breda
Cadets: Approximately 200 per year
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