Moncalieri Academy of Military Science

The Moncalieri Academy of Military Science is a state-owned military college of the Imperium of Caphiria located in Madel, Magenevum Province. It is the oldest and only state-owned military college in the Imperium. It was originally established as a fort that sits on strategic high ground overlooking the Tunic Valley. Moncalieri offers its students, all of whom are cadets, strict military discipline combined with a spartan, physically and academically demanding environment.

Candidates for admission must both apply directly to the academy and receive a nomination, usually from a member of the Senate or a Praetor. Students are officers-in-training and are referred to as "cadets" (tiro) or collectively as the "Imperial Corps of Cadets" (ICC). Tuition for cadets is fully funded by the Imperial Legion in exchange for an active duty service obligation upon graduation. Approximately 15,000 cadets enter the Academy each July, with about 7,500 cadets graduating. Because of the strict acceptance requirements and intensive academic program, the graduation rate is approximately 37%, making the Moncalieri Academy of Military Science is one of the most difficult and prestigious schools in the world.

Most graduates are commissioned as Legionary Grade I in the Legion. Foreign cadets are commissioned into the armies of their home countries. Since 1959, cadets have also been eligible for an interservice commission, a commission in one of the other armed services, provided they meet that service’s eligibility standards. Most years, a very small number of cadets do this.

The academy's traditions have influenced other institutions because of its age and unique mission. It was the first Caphirian college to have an accredited civil-engineering program and the first to have class rings, and its technical curriculum was a model for later engineering schools. Moncalieri's student body has a unique rank structure and lexicon. All cadets reside on campus and dine together en masse on weekdays for breakfast and lunch.

Campus
. ..

Administration
The Moncalieri Academy of Military Science is governed by a Superintendent, who is responsible for the overall operation of the academy. The Superintendent is a commissioned officer, either a general or a flag officer, appointed by the Imperator, on the recommendation of the Senate, for a term of four years. The Superintendent is assisted by the Deputy Superintendent, who is also a commissioned officer, and serves as the Superintendent's principal assistant and second-in-command. The Deputy Superintendent is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the academy, and assumes the role of Superintendent in the latter's absence.

The Commandant of Cadets is the principal disciplinarian of the academy and is responsible for the morale, discipline, and welfare of the cadets. The Commandant is a commissioned officer, usually of the rank of Commander or higher, and is appointed by the Superintendent. The Commandant is assisted by the Deputy Commandant, who is also a commissioned officer, and serves as the Commandant's principal assistant and second-in-command.

The academy is organized into five academic departments, each headed by a Dean. The academic departments are: the Department of Military Science and Tactics, Department of Engineering, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Physical Sciences and Mathematics, and Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences. Each department is further divided into several divisions, each headed by a Chair.

In addition to these academic departments, the academy also has a number of administrative departments that support the overall operation of the school. These include the Department of Admissions, the Department of Athletics, the Department of Student Life, and the Department of Military Training.

The academy is also home to several research centers and institutes, which are responsible for conducting research in various fields of study. These include the Center for Military History and Strategic Studies, the Institute for Leadership and Ethics, the Institute for Geospatial Research and Analysis, the Institute for Defense Analyses, and the Institute for Advanced Technology in Homeland Security.

Department of Military Science and Tactics
This department is responsible for the professional military education of cadets and includes courses in leadership, management, and military tactics.

Department of Engineering
This department offers a range of engineering disciplines, including civil, electrical, mechanical, and computer science engineering.

Department of Humanities & Social Sciences
This department offers a range of courses in the humanities and social sciences, including history, political science, and economics.

Department of Physical Sciences & Mathematics
This department offers courses in mathematics, physics, and chemistry.

Department of Biological & Environmental Sciences
This department offers courses in biology, environmental science, and related fields.

Curriculum
The curriculum at the Moncalieri Academy of Military Science is focused on preparing students for leadership roles in the Imperial Legion. In addition to required coursework in military history and strategy, cadets also take classes in science, engineering, and the humanities. Physical training is also an important part of the curriculum, with all cadets participating in athletics and physical fitness activities. The academy also emphasizes leadership development, with cadets having opportunities to take on leadership roles and learn from experienced military leaders.

Extracurricular activities at the academy include a wide variety of clubs and societies, sports teams, and cultural events. These activities provide cadets with opportunities to pursue their interests and develop their skills outside of the classroom. Some examples of these activities include the debate team, the chess club, the drama club, and the mountaineering team. The academy also has a number of cultural organizations, including the Sarpic Cadet Association and the Istroyan Cadet Association, which provide support and resources for cadets of different backgrounds.

Cadets are expected to adhere to high standards of conduct and work hard to achieve their academic and personal goals. Upon graduation, they are well-prepared to take on leadership roles in the Imperial Legion and serve their country with distinction. The academic program grants a bachelor of science degree with a curriculum that grades cadets' performance upon a broad academic program, military leadership performance, and mandatory participation in competitive athletics. The academy bases a cadet's leadership experience as a development of all three pillars of performance: academics, physical, and military.

Cadet life
Cadet life at the academy is characterized by a strict code of military discipline, rigorous academic coursework, and a focus on physical fitness. All cadets are required to adhere to the sacramentum militare, or Oath of Service, which states that "a cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do."

Cadets at Moncalieri live on campus in dormitories and are required to participate in a variety of military drills and training exercises, as well as maintaining strict physical fitness standards. In addition to their military training, cadets must also complete a challenging academic curriculum, leading to the award of a bachelor of science degree upon graduation. Cadets are organized into a hierarchical rank structure, with fourth-year cadets (seniors) holding the highest rank and first-year cadets (plebes) holding the lowest. Within each year, cadets are further organized into squadrons, which are led by cadet officers. Cadets are expected to demonstrate leadership and take on various responsibilities within their squadrons.

The academy places a strong emphasis on leadership development, with cadets participating in a variety of leadership training programs and activities. Upon graduation, most cadets are commissioned as Legionary Grade I in the Imperial Legion, although some may also choose to pursue an interservice commission in one of the other armed services.

Culture
Cadets at the Moncalieri Academy of Military Science are organized into a strict hierarchy, with a unique lexicon to reflect their status as military officer-in-training.

At the bottom of the hierarchy are the 4th Class Cadets, or "Plebes," who are characterized by their lack of privileges and heavy responsibilities. Plebes are responsible for maintaining their own uniforms, carrying out tasks assigned to them by upper-class cadets, and memorizing a large amount of information about the academy's history and traditions.

Above the Plebes are the 3rd Class Cadets, or "Yearlings," who have slightly more privileges and less responsibilities than Plebes. They are also responsible for mentoring and supervising the Plebes.

The 2nd Class Cadets, or "Cows," have even more privileges and are expected to serve as leaders among the cadet corps. They are responsible for overseeing the training and development of the Plebes and Yearlings.

At the top of the hierarchy are the 1st Class Cadets, or "Primoris," who are the senior cadets and serve as the primary leaders of the cadet corps. They are responsible for enforcing standards and discipline among the lower class cadets, and are also responsible for representing the academy to the public.

In addition to the traditional ranks, there are also a number of unique titles and positions within the cadet corps. For example, the cadet who holds the highest overall military rank is known as the "First Captain," while the cadet who holds the highest overall academic rank is known as the "First Scholar." There are also cadets who hold positions of responsibility within the academy's athletic teams and honor code enforcement system.

The Moncalieri Academy also has a unique lexicon that is used by cadets and faculty. For example, academic classes are referred to as "periods," and cadets are referred to as "cadets" rather than students. The academy also has its own set of customs and traditions, such as the "Code War" between first-year cadets (plebes) and upperclassmen, and the annual "Ring Melt" ceremony in which cadets melt down their class rings and recast them into new rings to symbolize their unity and commitment to the academy.

The slang used by the cadets consists of terms such as "Plebe Summer" (the rigorous summer training program for incoming Plebes), "Beast Barracks" (the training program for Plebes during the academic year), and "Ring Dance" (a formal military ball held to mark the transition of the cadets from one class to the next). These terms are specific to the Moncalieri Academy and are not used at other military colleges or universities.

Cadet life at the Moncalieri Academy is demanding and requires a strong commitment to excellence. However, it also provides cadets with unique opportunities for personal and professional growth, as well as a strong sense of camaraderie and belonging to the cadet corps.