Military colleges, shared life stories

Much is said today about the importance of education and the values ​​that must be instilled in the youth so that society develops in an environment that is conducive over time Networks of solidarity and connections of mutual understanding. No one disputes the role that the institutions that make up the national education system play in this demanding task.

There are nine military, naval and aviation schools. They combine common basic characteristics in a variety of goals that make up their identity. They are distributed throughout the country and are in reality secondary schools, the style and character of which correspond to the nature of the institutes dependent on the individual armed forces. They aim to teach moral, intellectual and physical aspects to the young person who is integrated, with curricula common to each national or provincial educational institution, as well as the specific themes of the activity of the military sectors in which they are deployed. They, of course, make it possible to continue studying at higher levels, both at tertiary level and at university. Graduates are again taken into account Reserve officers, men and women potentially suitable to join the armed forces in response to national needs.

But for too long, different motivations have driven different governments to seek the closure of these high schools, whether for administrative reasons, for ideological reasons or for the futility of outdated prejudices. One of the heads of Naval General Staff In the 1990s, Admiral Carlos Brownsaid without ulterior motives that he did not have enough elite officers to give them the responsibility of running high schools, which would adversely affect the operational activities of his force. Still others cited negative budgetary reasons, which has been so evident in recent decades because of the adventures the armed forces have had in this area.

No one made pedagogical or outcome arguments about the effectiveness of high schools. It is well known that their prestige is equal to or even a step above that of the top secondary schools in Argentina. Another story was the ideological motivations on the part of the radicalized left that contradicted the existence of secondary schools. Paradoxically, in the 1970s these institutions had to overcome crises caused by the affiliation of some of their students to subversive movements. The case of the origins of some of those who kidnapped and brutally killed the Lieutenant General in May 1970 is famous. Pedro Eugenio Aramburuformer de facto president of the nation. It was undeniable proof that almost no institution in the country was safe from those who wanted to seize power at any cost.and they did so with the support of communist regimes like that of Cubaand Third World currents that particularly damaged it Catholic Church.

This particular type of secondary school exists in many parts of the world, in a way that has nothing to do with the inspiration that military governments may have inspired when they were founded. The one who openly fought against high schools was the disastrous Minister of defense during the government of Nestor Kirchner, Nilda Garre. With your work team They wanted it to be closed or completely restructured.

They came to see the so-called “2010 high school plan“to introduce profound changes in teaching because they believed it was based on inappropriate foundations for young people. Subjects taught, such as those of military training. They also questioned his disciplinary system in a fit of ideological delirium. It was like accusing the national academies of behaving exactly as they are: national academies.

For those who left the country in a state of theft and ruins that astonished the world, it did not matter that these institutions had trained political figures such as presidents. Raul Alfonsin either Fernando de la Rua; or education, such as Avelino Portoor science, as Juan Martin Maldacenathe Argentine physicist who has been nominated for the award several times Nobelas well as prominent experts from a wide range of areas.

Specifically, one of the criticisms was based on the appreciation of the merits of those who wanted to attend secondary school. ¿Nothing other than effort, perseverance and appropriate talent can be expected from boys and girls who are ready to enter a high-level company.? Since the first high school was founded in 1938, the number of applicants has significantly exceeded the number of available positions. When there were between 2,000 and 3,000 applicants in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, only about 200 could be admitted. You were chosen, as is happening now, are among the most outstanding due to their intellectual makeup and physical abilities This would make them suitable for the requirements of becoming reserve officers after five years.

Thanks to the organized resistance of graduates and parents of cadets, it has finally been possible In 2017, the above-mentioned sinister plan was canceled by a decision from the Ministry of Defense and attempted to restore the original nature of high schools.

Daily life in secondary schools promotes close, friendly and solidarity relationships among classmates. They persist over time despite the different paths graduates take based on their jobs. This same solidarity is expressed in the support that former cadets provide to their respective high schools, strengthening the bond between the institutions and those who have attended their classrooms over time. The close relationship with the authorities responsible for these establishments is expressed in different ways, always with the aim of promoting the training of future promotions.

Despite all this, it is not surprising that on October 11th, when the High school students’ daythe dean of the high schools, the General San Martin Military CollegeCurrent students and members of 82 graduating classes met to share the day. The 23rd class also recently celebrated 60 years since graduating. Around 50 alumni over the age of 75 honored their shared history together, showing that the respect, bonds and values ​​in which they grew up endure over the years and enrich their lives.